RPGDX > Forums > CCPS Solutions Community Forum > Indie Role Playing Game Programming with C++ and Allegro

DeveloperX · Last edited by DeveloperX on Thu Mar 17, 2005 8:46 am; edited 1 time in total

If you want to know what my book is going to be about, I've taken the liberty to upload this file:

http://ccps.rpgdx.net/IRPGP/detail.txt

Please guys, no more flamewars about my book, or my skill, etc.
If you're not interested, simply don't post.
Thanks.
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Mandrake · Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:10 pm Post subject:

If you don't expect criticism, don't post here. People tore me a new asshole when I posted Crystal Quest, and they had every right too. Without us tearing each other apart, we will descend into mediocrity. I say we deserve to demand better. For our community and for our respect as a community.
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Terry · Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:24 pm Post subject:

I voted no, but not because I think the book is a bad idea - but because it doesn't go far enough. The book seems to stop after the walkabout demo stage, and is in that way missing a big part of RPG design.

But I think the outline is pretty good. If you wrote this book, as you've outlined it, it could be quite a useful resource.

Incidently, I think you're writing this book for the wrong reasons. I know you're hurting for money, but there are faster, more educational ways of supporting yourself programming. Have you considered web design, for example?

Oh, and shut up Mandrake. Have you really lost so much perspective that you actually think you're being helpful?
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Mandrake · Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2004 9:27 pm Post subject:

Yes I do think I'm being helpful.

I'm just saying he shouldn't post and not ask for criticism. The reason why I chose no (oh go, I'm critiquing NO!) is the same reason you did- it's too small. It covers some basics, but it doesn't delve deep enough for me.
_________________
"Well, last time I flicked on a lighter, I'm pretty sure I didn't create a black hole."-
Xmark

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DeveloperX · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 2:53 am Post subject:

Rainer Deyke · Demon Hunter Joined: 05 Jun 2002 Posts: 672

Three comments:

I would split chapter 13 into two chapters, one on sound/music and one on the sample game.
I agree that the book doesn't go far enough. In fact, I would go so far that the title "Indie Role Playing Game Programming with C++ and Allegro" is deceptive advertising unless you append "part 1", since the book won't teach anyone how to make a complete rpg.
I won't buy the book because I don't believe you have anything to teach me. However, there is probably an audience of less experienced programmers who would be interested in such a book.

Adam · Mage Joined: 30 Dec 2002 Posts: 416 Location: Australia

DeveloperX · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 6:10 am Post subject:

I guess I should mention that I want to release the whole series at once.
With all the books available, then people can either get them all to learn to create a complete game. (As I continue the same game project throughout the series)
Or they can just buy the books that cover topics they want to learn/ or have a good reference for.

I've done some local surveys, and over 20 people would LOVE to get the series. :)
I'm sure that once the books are done, you guys would sing a different tune. I hope that you at least check it out, and don't pass it on the shelf, simply because you don't think that its any good.
Well, its late, I'm tired, been a long day, I'm off to bed.
Goodnight.
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Rambling Indie Games, LLC

See my professional portfolio

LeoDraco · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 6:45 am Post subject:

Mandrake · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 1:46 pm Post subject:

Rainer Deyke · Demon Hunter Joined: 05 Jun 2002 Posts: 672

FWIW, if this book had been available ten years ago, I might have bought it.

white_door · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 8:31 pm Post subject:

I read through your outline, I'm not a writer or into the publishing scene but I've bought a number of programming/game books. So I have a few thoughts from the point of view of a reader and as a developer but not as a writer or anything. ;)

Chapter 1 seems okay, however (and this is a pet hate of mine so its nothing personal here) When reading a reference book I really really really don't want to know your name, your quest, nor your favorite colour. Its a reference book! Try to keep it professianal by leaving out personal details. Let the book speak for itself, you don't need to tell the reader who you are or why you are qualified to tell them what they need to know. If you really have to... save it for an "About the Author" page at the end of the book.

Chapter 2 & 3: Focusing on Dev-C++ is a great idea for beginners. I feel it's possible you could give a more rich experence if you covered more than Dev-C++ though. There are a range of compilers that allegro works with and people are bound to use others given a bit of cash (msvc) or if they have a different platform (like Mac or linux). Just continueing on that thought in addition to the dev-C++ project, maybe you could look at makefiles or one other IDE (like msvc).

Chapter 4: Do you mean transparency or translucency? In terms of game programming there is a major difference.

Chapter 5 & 6: I'm not sure what the difference between a sprite and avatar is with in your school of thought, but I really just like the fact you are including animation and resource creation tips.

Chapter 7: Don't forget polygon collisions, and perfect pixel collision systems. ;)

Chapter 8: I like the range of scripting languages you have given, I must admit I have never heard of TCL beginning embed into a game.

The rest look pretty sweet, I like the fact you include information on map editors and music making. In theory the design parts of Chapter 12 should be the before anything else... since design issues should always come before the engine or you will end up over or under developing it ... but it doesn't really matter. Also on a final note, I'm not sure if you covered this but I didn't read anything in the outline specifically about saving/restoring the player's game..

All that said, I basically think it looks like a pretty solid line up of topics.. and provided it delivers on what was in the outline I would be quite happen to own this book. I'm always getting asked how to make games by people I know and it would be a great resource to lend out to noobs. And if it failed to answer the never ending torrant of questions that issue from the said newbie, I could always use it to beat them to death with. ;)

PS: doh! why, oh why, can't I write a document without a billion typos?

Mandrake · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 8:59 pm Post subject:

Note: my remarks for this are not meant to be flames. I think this is a really good idea for a book. These really are meant to be constructive criticisms from someone who has done this before (and plans on doing it again).

I just think you should at least get a little bit more writing experience before attempting anything of this size. If you don't, that's alright, just plan to edit alot. And please, don't be afriad of criticism. Post it as you go along.

DeveloperX · Posted: Wed Nov 17, 2004 11:17 pm Post subject:

Hajo · Posted: Thu Nov 18, 2004 8:36 am Post subject:

I'll not buy it.

The overview tells that you are talking about a very specific way to implement games with very specific tools.

But I guess you're aiming at a different audience, so it's irrelevant if I'd buy it or not. I'm just beyond need of the basic ideas.

I'd rather look for a book that focuses on the game design ideas: not "how to implement a map with tiles in C++", but "how to design interesting maps".

I'd suggest to add random map generation to one of the chapters. Quite a lot of RPGs habe random maps, and the random maps really raise the replay value of the games.