A Guide to ZX Spectrum Games - 1982 To 1984


Book Description

Retrospective reviews of over 200 ZX Spectrum games published between 1982 and 1984 - An Introduction from Crash Editor Roger Kean, and interviews from developers such as Steve Turner (Hewson Consultants), Charles Cecil (Artic, US Gold, Activision), Mel Croucher (Automata), Jon Ritman (Ocean Software, Artic), John Gibson (Imagine, Denton Designs, Ocean), Malcolm Evans (New Generation), Don Priestley (DK, Troniks, Pirahna), Simon Brattel (Crystal Computing, Design Design), Scott Adams (Adventure International), Kevin Toms (Addictive Games), Mike Lamb (CDS, Ocean), Daren White (Gem Software, Rainbow Arts), David Leitch (Silversoft, Binary Design, Sales Curve), Ally Noble (Imagine, Denton Designs), Andy Stagg (Automata), and Bruce Everiss (Bug Byte, Imagine, Codemasters). Fully illustrated with Screenshots of every game - Some original box artwork and advertisements, and original illustrations from Rob Grenville-Evans (Automata).




ZX Spectrum Games Code Club


Book Description

This book is ideal for ZX Spectrum fans and beginner coders of any age that want to learn or practice building simple games. Contains 20 games specifically created for this book, from Arcade classics to more wacky game ideas. No special equipment needed! Works on... Windows Mac Original ZX Spectrum Recreated ZX Spectrum Internet Browsers: Chrome / FF etc Linux Raspberry Pi Ideal for Retro Computing fans that want to dust off their ZX Spectrum or an emulator and type in some code, 'old school'. In one sitting type in a game, play it and then we will go through it. The book does not go over every single line of code, but rather summarises key components and newer sections for each game. This keeps the process fun and engaging. An interactive learning book intended for all ages and is also useful for Code Clubs. So type in a game and have some fun! Includes: ZX Breakout, MiniPong, Astral Invaders, Battleship War, Flappy Bird, Takeaway Ted and many more...







The Indie Game Developer Handbook


Book Description

The indie game developer’s complete guide to running a studio. The climate for the games industry has never been hotter, and this is only set to continue as the marketplace for tablets, consoles and phones grow. Seemingly every day there is a story of how a successful app or game has earned thousands of downloads and revenue. As the market size increases, so does the number of people developing and looking to develop their own app or game to publish. The Indie Game Developer Handbook covers every aspect of running a game development studio—from the initial creation of the game through to completion, release and beyond. Accessible and complete guide to many aspects of running a game development studio from funding and development through QA, publishing, marketing, and more. Provides a useful knowledge base and help to support the learning process of running an indie development studio in an honest, approachable and easy to understand way. Case studies, interviews from other studies and industry professionals grant an first-hand look into the world of indie game development




A History of Sports Video Games


Book Description

This book explores the history of sports and sports-themed video games, providing a comprehensive and holistic view of this complex and diverse genre. The author highlights the influence of technological advancement, industry competition and popular culture on game design, marketing strategies and user experience. Offering valuable insights into the historical process of interaction and integration between real-world sport and video games, this volume will enrich existing scholarship on video games. This volume is a valuable contribution to the fields of both game studies and sports studies, and will be perfect for those interested in the history of science and technology as well as social and cultural history.




Spectrum Machine Language for the Absolute Beginner


Book Description

First published in 1982, William Tang’s Spectrum Machine Language for the Absolute Beginner is generally considered to be the best introduction to 8-bit machine code programming ever written. With many great game writers crediting this as the book that got them started, there still is no better way to learn the language at the heart of the ZX Spectrum. * * * As the original publisher Melbourne House wrote: If you are frustrated by the limitations of BASIC and want to write faster, more powerful, space-saving programs or subroutines, Spectrum Machine Language for the Absolute Beginner is the book for you. Even with no previous experience of computer languages, you will be able to discover the ease and power of the Spectrum's own language. Each chapter includes specific examples of machine language applications which can be demonstrated and used on your Spectrum as well as a self-test questionnaire. At the end of the book, all this is brought together in an entire machine language program - from design right through to the complete listing of an exciting, original arcade game. * * * Acorn Books is proud to present its Retro Reproduction Series, a collection of classic computing works from the 1980s and 90s, lovingly reproduced in the 21st century. From standards of programming reference no self-respecting microcomputer programmer would be without, to obscure works not found in print anywhere else, these modern reprints are perfect for any connoisseur of retro computing.




Build an HTML5 Game


Book Description

If you already have even basic familiarity with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, you’re ready to learn how to build a browser-based game. In Build an HTML5 Game, you’ll use your skills to create a truly cross-platform bubble-shooter game—playable in both desktop and mobile browsers. As you follow along with this in-depth, hands-on tutorial, you’ll learn how to: –Send sprites zooming around the screen with JavaScript animations –Make things explode with a jQuery plug-in –Use hitboxes and geometry to detect collisions –Implement game logic to display levels and respond to player input –Convey changes in game state with animation and sound –Add flair to a game interface with CSS transitions and transformations –Gain pixel-level control over your game display with the HTML canvas The programming starts right away in Chapter 1—no hemming and hawing, history, or throat clearing. Exercises at the end of each chapter challenge you to dig in to the bubble shooter’s code and modify the game. Go ahead. Take the plunge. Learn to create a complete HTML5 game right now and then use your newfound skills to build your own mega-popular, addictive game.




The Illustrated History of 151 Video Games


Book Description

More than any other entertainment medium, videogames offer the chance for us to participate in a worldbeyond the ordinary. Whether you are playing as asupersonic hedgehog, an athletic archeologist, or amoustachioed Italian plumber, video games allow theirplayers to inhabit spaces where the usual parameters ofexistence do not apply. The medium's history ischronicled through the individual stories of 151 of themost iconic video games. Beginning in the early 1970s, the book charts five decades of the pixel revolution. Thestory of each game is accompanied by trivia andquotations, and illustrated with photographs, screenshotsand artwork. This celebratory reference, and up-to-datehistory, will enthral any video games aficionado. - Chronicles the history of gaming through an analysis of151 of the world's most-iconic and best-loved games - Expert analysis of the story of each game, accompaniedby fascinating trivia, memorable quotes, and informationon the year of publication and where the game can beplayed today - Includes titles across all platforms, including arcade, console, PC, online and handheld games - Charts five decades of video game evolution, fromComputer Space to Fez - Compulsively illustrated with over 1000 actionscreenshots, game artworks and photographs




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.




Artificial Intelligence and Games


Book Description

This is the first textbook dedicated to explaining how artificial intelligence (AI) techniques can be used in and for games. After introductory chapters that explain the background and key techniques in AI and games, the authors explain how to use AI to play games, to generate content for games and to model players. The book will be suitable for undergraduate and graduate courses in games, artificial intelligence, design, human-computer interaction, and computational intelligence, and also for self-study by industrial game developers and practitioners. The authors have developed a website (http://www.gameaibook.org) that complements the material covered in the book with up-to-date exercises, lecture slides and reading.