Directing Video Games


Book Description

What does a video game director actually do? What guiding principles do they follow while leading a team of game creators? Longtime Ratchet & Clank director, Brian Allgeier, boils down his decades of experience into 101 fully illustrated tips. Written for both aspiring and experienced creative leaders, this book covers the expansive and multi-faceted role of the director, from developing the initial vision to key methods on tackling design, story development, and production challenges. 5 essential qualities of a creative director: 1. Hold the Vision 2. Provide Structure 3. Keep a Creative Toolbox 4. Lead Effectively 5. Know Production For those who are curious about what it takes to be a video game director or want learn more about the art of creative collaboration, this book covers the basic principles for leading and inspiring a team to make great games. "Directing Video Games is a literal loot drop of knowledge, decades of experience concisely and expertly crafted into 101 densely packed tips. Even a page — with no exaggeration — can be transformative to a project’s success." —Brenda Romero, Award winning game designer "This book is one of a kind, and is essential reading for anyone who wants to lead the creation of a video game. It's full of great visuals and excellent advice, and belongs on every game director's bookshelf." —Richard Lemarchand, Associate Professor in the Interactive Media Division, USC "Born of expansive experience, this is a comprehensive book that both beginners and seasoned developers should keep at their side." —Michael John, Program Director of Games and Playable Media, UCSC "Brian has managed an incredible thing—to present a broadly complex, multi-faceted role in bite-sized, easy to digest nuggets of sage advice." —Marcus Smith, Creative Director of Resistance 3 and Sunset Overdrive




Ratchet and Clank


Book Description

Written by T.J. FIXMAN - Art by ADAM ARCHER - Cover by CREATUREBOX The bestselling Sony video game franchise is now an action-packed, galaxy spanning comic. With Dr. Nefarious defeated and the universe safe, galactic heroes Ratchet and Clank return to the Solana galaxy for some well-earned rest and relaxation. But when entire planets begin disappearing from the universe without a trace, Galactic President Qwark calls them back into action to solve the mystery. Collecting the 6-issue miniseries! On JUNE 29 - 144 pg, FC, $17.99 US




Ratchet Deadlocked


Book Description

Ratchet: Deadlocked Tune In, Suit Up, and Take 'em Down! Combat strategies for surviving the perils of DreadZone Maps of every level with all pickups and objective locations revealed Exclusive DVD with full-motion strategy and interviews with the Insomniac team! (Not available with eGuide) Every mod, weapon and gadget covered! Find out what upgrades and equipment best suit your playstyle Tactics for commanding your bots to their fullest potential Tips to get the most out of online and co-op play




Ratchet & Clank


Book Description

The Ultimate Gadget to Save the Universe! - Complete walkthrough of each planet with detailed maps - Detailed weapon and gadget descriptions - Locations of every Gold Bolt - Strategies for dealing with Chairman Drek's minions - All secrets revealed




The Art of Ratchet & Clank


Book Description

A retrospective exploration of the galaxy's most lovable video game heroes--Ratchet and Clank! For fifteen years the most unlikely heroes in the cosmos have been adventuring across the stars, kicking butt and taking names. Ratchet and Clank have rescued innocent civilizations, taken down evil corporations, defeated robot armies, incited space prison breakouts, and even colluded with interstellar pirates! Now, Dark Horse Books and Insomniac Games proudly offer a look back at the history of the iconic series in a Qwark-tastic collection of never-before-seen concept art and behind-the-scenes commentary chronicling eleven amazing games and the brilliant studio that created them!




1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die


Book Description

In fewer than fifty years videogames have become one of the most popular forms of entertainment, but which are the best games, the ones you must play? This action packed book presents the best videogames from around the world - from 80's classic Donkey Kong to Doom, Frogger and Final Fantasy. Covering everything from old favourites to those breaking new ground, these are the games that should not be missed. Video game expert Tony Mott presents 1001 of the best video games from around the world and on all formats, from primitive pioneering consoles like Atari's VCS to modern-day home entertainment platforms such as Sony's PlayStation 3. 1001 VIDEO GAMES defines arcade experiences that first turned video gaming into a worldwide phenomenon such as Space Invaders, Asteroids, and Pac-Man - games that made the likes of Atari, Sinclair and Commadore household names. It also includes the games that have taken the console era by storm from Nintendo Wii to Sony Playstation and beyond - games of the modern era that have become cultural reference points in their own right including multi-million selling series such as Halo, Grand Theft Auto and Resident Evil. For aficionados this is a keepsake - charting the highlights of the past fifty years giving them key information for games they must play. For those just discovering the appeal of gaming this extensive volume will provide everything they need to ensure they don't miss out on the games that revolutionized this overwhelmingly popular medium.




Jak II


Book Description

BradyGames'Jak II Official Strategy Guidefeatures detailed maps, with call-outs for items. Strategies for completing every mission, plus every Precursor Orb is unearthed. Tactics to master every one of Jak's moves and attacks. Haven City and its surroundings are explored completely, plus all game secrets revealed! This product is available for sale in North America only.




PlayStation 5 Gaming Guide


Book Description

The PlayStation 5 has arrived! This next-generation console has hardware power, futuristic accessories and blockbuster games that will blow your mind. And you'll learn all about it in this PS5 guide by award-winning games journalist Chris Stead. Hands-on analysis of Sony's console and its features Full overview of hardware, peripherals, accessories and PlayStation Plus 24 launch games reviewed and many more examined PS5 vs Xbox Series X compared Chris Stead is a multiple award-winning, 25-year veteran games journalist PlayStation 5 Gaming Guide: Overview of the best PS5 video games, hardware and accessories. Are you unsure which PS5 games are right for you? Do you need help deciding which PS5 accessories you need and why? Are you trying to decide whether to buy a PlayStation or Xbox? Do you need help understanding what the new technology in the PS5 does? Are you a parent sick of buying the "wrong" games for your kids? Do you want to find the best multiplayer games on PS5? Chris Stead's PS5 Gaming Guide is as comprehensive an overview of the new video games console as you will find. This is the most powerful Sony gaming systems yet, offering the power required to play games at 8K resolution, at up 120fps, and with the latest technology such as ray-tracing, HDR, virtual reality and 3D Audio. Some of the biggest game series of all time are coming to PlayStation 5. Marvel's Spider-Man, God of War, Ratchet & Clank, Call of Duty, Assassin's Creed, Grand Theft Auto, Watch Dogs, Fortnite, FIFA, NBA 2K, Horizon, Dirt and Gram Turismo just to name a few. As well as detailing the experience offered by over 24 Sony video games, focusing on PS5 exclusives, Chris Stead dives into each of the core accessories, the PlayStation Plus online service, and the pros and cons of the PlayStation gaming system itself. Stead started his career working on the Official PlayStation magazine in the mid-90s, and has since run such notable brands as GamePro, Game Informer, Fortnite magazine and Gameplayer, as well as working for sites like IGN, Gamespot, Kotaku, Rooster Teeth and MCV. Grab your copy of the PlayStation 5 Gaming Guide and learn: The best PS5 games for kids, teens and adults. Which PlayStation 5 games you can play online or co-op with friends. Where to buy a PS5 and PS5 video games at the cheapest price. How to decide on which PlayStation accessories and peripherals you need. Full list of included games Assassin's Creed: Valhalla Astro's Playroom Bugsnax COD Black Ops: Cold War Cyberpunk 2077 Demon's Souls Remake Destruction AllStars Dirt 5 FIFA 21 Fortnite Godfall Immortals Fenyx Rising Madden NFL 21 Maneater Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales Mortal Kombat 11 Ultimate MXGP 2020 NBA 2K21 Observer: System Redux Pathless, The Planet Coaster: Console Edition Sackboy: A Big Adventure Watch Dogs: Legion Worms Rumble DON'T WAIT!! Hit the ground running with the best of Amazon's PlayStation 5 gaming books. This is the ultimate PS5 guide.




Gamer Girls


Book Description

Discover the women behind the video games we love—the iconic games they created, the genres they invented, the studios and companies they built—and how they changed the industry forever. Women have always made video games, from the 1960s and the first-of-its-kind, projector-based Sumerian Game to the blockbuster Uncharted games that defined the early 2000s. Women have been behind the writing, design, scores, and engines that power one of the most influential industries out there. In Gamer Girls, now you can explore the stories of 25 of those women. Bursting with bold artwork, easy-to-read profiles, and real-life stories of the women working on games like Centipede, Final Fantasy, Halo, and more, this dynamic illustrated book shows what a huge role women have played—and will continue to play—in the creation of video games. With additional sidebars about other influential women in the industry, as well as a glossary and additional resources page, Gamer Girls offers a look into the work and lives of influential pixel queens such as: Roberta Williams (one of the creators of the adventure genre) Mabel Addis Mergardt (the first person to write a video game) Muriel Tramis (the French "knight" of video games) Keiko Erikawa (creator of the otome genre) Yoko Shimomura (composer for Street Fighter, Final Fantasy, and Kingdom Hearts) Rebecca Heineman (first national video game tournament champion) Danielle Bunten Berry (creator of M.U.L.E. and early advocate for multiplayer games) and more! Whether you’re a gamer girl who plays video games, a gamer girl who makes video games, or a parent raising a gamer girl, this entertaining, inspiring book will have you itching to pick up a controller or create your own video games!




Yooka-Laylee and the Kracklestone


Book Description

Yooka-Laylee and the Kracklestone features a brand new adventure for the heroic chameleon and bat duo. After discovering a portal to an unexplored realm, Yooka and Laylee set off to find an especially rare artifact called the Kracklestone, fabled to grant invincibility. It isn't long before they find themselves in a race against time trying to beat the evil Dr. Quack to the treasure. Only by working together with the many absurd characters they meet along the way will Yooka and Laylee have the chance to prevent absolute power from falling into the wrong hands, er... wings!