The idea behind
Game Programming Starter Kit 5.0 is to offer a collection of useful game development tools and resources in one package for aspiring game developers. There?s no question they did just that. Included, you?ll find an introductory version of
Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0, which has some nagging aspects to it, but appears to have most, if not all, of the functionality of the professional version. You also get the
Microsoft DirectX 8.0 Software Development Kit, putting the power of an industry standard for 2D and 3D graphics in your hands. Also in the box is
3D GameStudio Standard 5.12, an authoring system for 2D and 3D computer games. You have map editing, textures... world building at your fingertips.
These alone would be a worthwhile kit. However, you also get MS DirectMusic Producer, an excellent music composition software that utilizes DirectMusic (and has an excellent tutorial section), and ?Game Design: Secrets of the Sages 3rd Ed.,? filled with insight, stories, and advice from some well-known names in the gaming industry on everything from concept to promotion, level design to programming, and everything in between! Even additional source code for the book is included -- they put it on a CD. Also on that disc, you?ll find an ?e-book? version of ?Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus,? offering guidance on game programming, artificial intelligence and physics.
All of the resources included are excellent. The only thing is trying to sort them all out and take the time to familiarize yourself with everything.
