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Game of X v.2: The Long Road to Xbox
by Rusel DeMariaGame of X v.2 is the story that leads up to Xbox. It is a story of DOS games, Microsoft culture, the crazy stories around the development and promotion of DirectX and the graphics standards that were required for Xbox to happen. Stories based on dozens of interviews include a colorful cast of characters and some solid technical background. The history of games for DOS and the initial challenges of Windows, the surprising source of the earliest Windows games, and much, much more. This is the fascinating prequel to Game of X v.1: Xbox. Key Features Game of X v.2 is the story that leads up to Xbox. It is a story of DOS games, Microsoft culture, the crazy stories around the development and promotion of DirectX and the graphics standards that were required for Xbox to The history of games for DOS and the initial challenges of Windows, the surprising source of the earliest Windows games, and much, much more. This is the fascinating follow-up to Game of X v.1: Xbox Stories based on dozens of interviews include a colorful cast of characters and some solid technical background.
Game On! (Step into Reading)
by Susan AmerikanerDisney's Wreck-It Ralph is a computer-animated feature film about a video game villain who wants nothing more than to be the good guy for a change. But when Ralph finally gets his chance, he discovers that being the hero isn't as easy as it looks. Soon the entire video game world is at stake, and if Ralph doesn't play to win, it could mean "Game Over" for every game in the arcade! This Step 2 reader based on the film is perfect for kids ages 4-6.
Game On!: Gamification, Gameful Design, and the Rise of the Gamer Educator (Tech.edu: A Hopkins Series on Education and Technology)
by Kevin BellHelping teachers take advantage of game design principles and intrinsic motivators to build more effective courses.The changing student body in American higher education demands a new approach to teaching, one that moves toward inclusive, hyperpersonalized learning environments that have much in common with games and social media. Kevin Bell’s Game On! presents dynamic case studies of gamer educators and game-derived techniques to help instructors creatively formulate their own teaching strategies. Breaking gamefully designed classes into their component parts, Bell analyzes what these classes are actually doing and explains why they work. He offers faculty a rubric to assess their own courses for their propensity to engage students, particularly those from low socioeconomic and high-risk populations. Bell explores how game design, pedagogy, and intrinsic motivators can level the playing field to produce rigorous learning environments that are as addictive to all participants as the latest apps and social media systems. He also discusses best practices, lays out the broader context of computer-mediated teaching and learning, and considers the challenges and opportunities that gamification presents.Instructors would do well to consider the key tenets of successful games if they are to engage and graduate the coming generations of learners. Bell’s careful analysis of the theories behind gamification, cognitive science, and instructional design will help them to do just that.
Game On!: Video Game History from Pong and Pac-Man to Mario, Minecraft, and More
by Dustin HansenFind out about the fast and furious growth and evolution of video games (including how they are quickly taking over the world!) by looking at some of the most popular, innovative, and influential games ever, from Pong, the very first arcade game ever, to modern hits like Uncharted. <P><P>Learn about the creators and inspiration (Mario was named after Nintendo's landlord after he barged into a staff meeting demanding rent), discover historical trivia and Easter eggs (The developers of Halo 2 drank over 24,000 gallons of soda while making the game), and explore the innovations that make each game special (The ghosts in Pac-Man are the first example of AI in a video game). <P><P>Whether you consider yourself a hard-core gamer or are just curious to see what everyone is talking about, Game On! is the book for you!
Game On
by Jon RadoffA never-before published look at the many possibilities of social game developmentAs one of the few entrepreneurs in the world with expertise building both social media and games, author Jon Radoff brings a one-of-a-kind perspective to this unique book. He shows that games are more than a profitable form of entertainment?the techniques of social games can be used to enhance the quality of online applications, social media and a wide range of other consumer and business experiences. With this book, you?ll explore how social games can be put to work for any business and examine why they work at all. The first part of explains what makes games fun, while the second part reviews the process and details of game design. Looks at how games are the basis for many everyday functions and explains how techniques of social games can be used by businesses as money-making toolsDrills down the process of game design while focusing on the design, analysis, and creation of games Features screen shots, diagrams and explanations to illuminate key concepts, accessible to anyone regardless of game playing or design experienceReviews what works and what doesn?t using a range of real-world scenarios as examplesAuthor Jon Radoff has a unique blend of experiences creating games, Internet-based social media, and Web technology.Game On is not playing around. Discover how social media games make money?and how you can enhance your business using games.
Game On! 2017: All The Best Games: Awesome Facts and Coolest Secrets
by Scholastic Imagine Publishing StaffGame On! 2017 is the second edition of this hot new annual! Features information and statistics about all of the most popular games, tips and tricks for gamers, and interviews from gaming's biggest personalities--including game developers and pro gamers! With the help of Imagine Publishing, learn how to dominate the biggest online multiplayer games and unlock the rarest trophies and achievements in different game worlds.
Game On! 2020: An AFK Book (Game On!)
by ScholasticLearn all about the hottest games coming in 2020, how they were developed, and how to beat them in Scholastic's annual gaming guide!Get ready for another awesome year of gaming with this ultimate guide to all your favorite games, including a definitive list of the biggest games of the past year and hot new ones coming in 2020!Game On! 2020 is the most comprehensive guide to all the best games, tech, and streamers, featuring some of the year's greatest gaming moments and exclusive interviews with Twitch stars, YouTube legends, and game developers.This complete guide is packed with top gaming secrets, stats, tips, and tricks for all your favorite games. All games featured in Game On! 2020 are rated T for Teen or younger, keeping it appropriate for young gamers.
Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World
by David SheffMore American children recognize Super Mario, the hero of one of Nintendo's video games, than Mickey Mouse. The Japanese company has come to earn more money than the big three computer giants or all Hollywood movie studios combined. Now Sheff tells of the Nintendo invasion--a tale of innovation and cutthroat tactics.
Game Over: Press Start To Continue
by David SheffThe history of Nintendo. How did a Japanese company that once manufactured playing cards end up capturing nearly all of America's multi-billion dollar video-game industry in the early '90s? What is it about games that feature an obstinate ape ("Donkey Kong") and an intrepid plumber ("Super Mario Bros. ") that make them so addictive to consumers of all ages? And was it inventive genius or business hardball that enabled Nintendo to gross more after taxes in 1992 than Apple, IBM, Microsoft or all the major U. S. film studios combined?
Game Over, Pete Watson
by Joe Schreiber Andy RashWhen videogame obsessed Pete Watson discovers his dad is not only a super-spy but has been kidnapped and is now trapped inside a video game, he has to use his super gaming skills and enter the game to rescue him. <P><P> Will he be able to save his friends and family and the entire world from giant mechanical cockroaches and a massive cyber attack set to take down the world's network? And if he succeeds, who will save Pete from his massive crush on Callie Midwood? <P><P> From the comedic mind of Joe Schreiber (Lenny Cyrus School Virus, Au Revoir Crazy European Chick, Perry's Killer Playlist), comes an action-packed Alex Rider-meets-Greg Heffley middle grade romp that grabs readers by the funny bone and doesn't let go! Illustrated throughout with black and white comic drawings by Andy Rash.
Game Physics
by David H. EberlyCreate physically realistic 3D Graphics environments with this introduction to the ideas and techniques behind the process. Author David H. Eberly includes simulations to introduce the key problems involved and then gradually reveals the mathematical and physical concepts needed to solve them.
Game Physics Cookbook
by Gabor SzauerDiscover over 100 easy-to-follow recipes to help you implement efficient game physics and collision detection in your games About This Book • Get a comprehensive coverage of techniques to create high performance collision detection in games • Learn the core mathematics concepts and physics involved in depicting collision detection for your games • Get a hands-on experience of building a rigid body physics engine Who This Book Is For This book is for beginner to intermediate game developers. You don't need to have a formal education in games—you can be a hobbyist or indie developer who started making games with Unity 3D. What You Will Learn • Implement fundamental maths so you can develop solid game physics • Use matrices to encode linear transformations • Know how to check geometric primitives for collisions • Build a Physics engine that can create realistic rigid body behavior • Understand advanced techniques, including the Separating Axis Theorem • Create physically accurate collision reactions • Explore spatial partitioning as an acceleration structure for collisions • Resolve rigid body collisions between primitive shapes In Detail Physics is really important for game programmers who want to add realism and functionality to their games. Collision detection in particular is a problem that affects all game developers, regardless of the platform, engine, or toolkit they use. This book will teach you the concepts and formulas behind collision detection. You will also be taught how to build a simple physics engine, where Rigid Body physics is the main focus, and learn about intersection algorithms for primitive shapes. You'll begin by building a strong foundation in mathematics that will be used throughout the book. We'll guide you through implementing 2D and 3D primitives and show you how to perform effective collision tests for them. We then pivot to one of the harder areas of game development—collision detection and resolution. Further on, you will learn what a Physics engine is, how to set up a game window, and how to implement rendering. We'll explore advanced physics topics such as constraint solving. You'll also find out how to implement a rudimentary physics engine, which you can use to build an Angry Birds type of game or a more advanced game. By the end of the book, you will have implemented all primitive and some advanced collision tests, and you will be able to read on geometry and linear Algebra formulas to take forward to your own games! Style and approach Gain the necessary skills needed to build a Physics engine for your games through practical recipes, in an easy-to-read manner. Every topic explained in the book has clear, easy to understand code accompanying it.
Game Physics Engine Development: How to Build a Robust Commercial-Grade Physics Engine for your Game
by null Ian MillingtonPhysics is really important to game programmers who need to know how to add physical realism to their games. They need to take into account the laws of physics when creating a simulation or game engine, particularly in 3D computer graphics, for the purpose of making the effects appear more real to the observer or player.The game engine ne
Game Physics Pearls
by Gino van den Bergen Dirk GregoriusImplementing physical simulations for real-time games is a complex task that requires a solid understanding of a wide range of concepts from the fields of mathematics, physics, and software engineering. This book is a gems-like collection of practical articles in the area of game physics. Each provides hands-on detail that can be used in practical
Game Poems: Videogame Design as Lyric Practice
by Jordan MagnusonScholars, critics, and creators describe certain videogames as being “poetic,” yet what that means or why it matters is rarely discussed. In Game Poems: Videogame Design as Lyric Practice, independent game designer Jordan Magnuson explores the convergences between game making and lyric poetry and makes the surprising proposition that videogames can operate as a kind of poetry apart from any reliance on linguistic signs or symbols. This rigorous and accessible short book first examines characteristics of lyric poetry and explores how certain videogames can be appreciated more fully when read in light of the lyric tradition—that is, when read as “game poems.” Magnuson then lays groundwork for those wishing to make game poems in practice, providing practical tips and pointers along with tools and resources. Rather than propose a monolithic framework or draw a sharp line between videogame poems and poets and their nonpoetic counterparts, Game Poems brings to light new insights for videogames and for poetry by promoting creative dialogue between disparate fields. The result is a lively account of poetic game-making praxis. “Everyone who loves the true power of games will benefit from the treasure trove of insights in Game Poems.” — Jesse Schell, author of The Art of Game Design “Magnuson shines a sensitive and incisive light on small, often moving, videogames.” — D. Fox Harrell, Ph.D., Professor of Digital Media, Computing, and Artificial Intelligence, MIT “[Game Poems] tells a new story about games— that games can be lyrical, beautiful, emotionally challenging—to inspire creators and critics alike.” —Noah Wardrip-Fruin, author of How Pac-Man Eats “Even as the news swells with impending doom for creativity, writing, and text itself, this literate and crafty book pursues poetry not through implacable algorithms but in concrete and personal play. It should be an indispensable guide for anyone who aims to maintain the true, human promise of technical poetics.”—Stuart Moulthrop, coauthor of Twining: Critical and Creative Approaches to Hypertext Narratives “For far too long videogames have flourished – and commanded both capital and attention – in a kind of counterculture that they seem to have created as if ex nihilo for themselves and their players. But we are these players, and their culture has always been integrated with all of our own. In this evenhanded artist-scholar’s ars poetica Jordan Magnuson respects the material cultural specificity of videogames while regarding them through the ‘lens of poetry’ in order to discover – and help create – a practice and an art of Game Poems within the wider field. Magnuson formally, int(erv)entionally embraces this art as lyrically poetic.”—John Cayley, Brown University “In Game Poems, Magnuson listens carefully to videogames, and hears them speak to questions of art, language, and meaning that connect our written past to our software future. Read this book and you will hear it too.”—Frank Lantz, Director, NYU Game Center “Jordan Magnuson has created a work that ties together the worlds of poetry and videogames in a deep and enlightening way. For those of us who care about the potential of poetic games, Jordan greatly improves the language of how we talk about them and expands our ability to see what this unique form can become. This is one of my favorite books on game design and I apologize in advance to those whom I will end up cornering and not being able to stop talking to about it.”—Benjamin Ellinger, Game Design Program Director, DigiPen Institute of Technology “A groundbreaking and accessible book that helps us think about games as poems. With patient tenacity, Magnuson teases out what he felt for years as he engaged in his own practice of making videogames. His mission to help us apply a ‘
The Game Production Toolbox
by Heather Maxwell ChandlerThe Game Production Toolbox focuses on the nuts and bolts of producing interactive content and how you can organize and support the creative, technical, and business efforts that are all part of interactive game development. This book isn’t going to tell you how to design a game or what technologies to use. Instead it provides techniques for and insights into managing, from concept to release, all the pieces that must come together in order to get a game into the hands of a player. Readers will learn about each phase of game production: prototyping, defining the requirements, assembling the team, making the game, and releasing to the players. Interviews from professional game developers give a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make a game. Key Features A framework for how to get an interactive game from concept to release, including information on financing and pitching to publishers and investors. Techniques for working with the game development team to get effective prototypes and documentation to prove out game concept and mechanics. Concrete information on how to plan and execute the different aspects of game production, such as audio, localization, testing, and software ratings. Advice from industry experts on managing teams, project management, communicating effectively, and keeping everyone happy. Information about working effectively with marketing, PR, and other people that are involved with the publishing and release process.
The Game Programmer's Guide to Torque: Under the Hood of the Torque Game Engine
by Edward F. MaurinaThe author takes readers on an in-depth walkthrough of the Torque Game Engine---one of the most popular, powerful, and easy to use game engines available today. With clear explanations of how to use Torque to create your own games and detailed discussions of the engine's inner workings, this book is a must read for any programmer interested in making games for fun or profit. It offers step-by-step examples, detailed system descriptions, in-depth references, practical tips, tricks, and more that provide readers all they need to understand the Torque Game Engine. See the Support page on the author's website for a revision of Chapter 15 (Torque Lighting). Downloadable resources are included with the book.
Game Programming for Artists
by Jarryd Huntley Hanna BradyGame Programming for Artists provides a foundation for artists and creatives to jumpstart learning to program their own games. It is an accessible and conversational guide focused on three areas: basic programming, understanding game engines, and practical code for commonly employed game systems. The best way to get into games is to make one, and this book will help artists do that!
Game Programming Using Qt: Beginner's Guide
by Lorenz Haas Witold WysotaA complete guide to designing and building fun games with Qt and Qt Quick 2 using associated toolsets About This Book * Learn to create simple 2D to complex 3D graphics and games using all possible tools and widgets available for game development in Qt * Understand technologies such as QML, Qt Quick, OpenGL, and Qt Creator, and learn the best practices to use them to design games * Learn Qt with the help of many sample games introduced step-by-step in each chapter Who This Book Is For If you want to create great graphical user interfaces and astonishing games with Qt, this book is ideal for you. Any previous knowledge of Qt is not required, however knowledge of C++ is mandatory. What You Will Learn * Install Qt on your system * Understand the basic concepts of every Qt game and application * Develop 2D object-oriented graphics using Qt Graphics View * Build multiplayer games or add a chat function to your games with Qt's Network module * Script your game with Qt Script * Program resolution-independent and fluid UI using QML and Qt Quick * Control your game flow as per the sensors of a mobile device * See how to test and debug your game easily with Qt Creator and Qt Test In Detail Qt is the leading cross-platform toolkit for all significant desktop, mobile, and embedded platforms and is becoming more popular by the day, especially on mobile and embedded devices. Despite its simplicity, it's a powerful tool that perfectly fits game developers' needs. Using Qt and Qt Quick, it is easy to build fun games or shiny user interfaces. You only need to create your game once and deploy it on all major platforms like iOS, Android, and WinRT without changing a single source file. The book begins with a brief introduction to creating an application and preparing a working environment for both desktop and mobile platforms. It then dives deeper into the basics of creating graphical interfaces and Qt core concepts of data processing and display before you try creating a game. As you progress through the chapters, you'll learn to enrich your games by implementing network connectivity and employing scripting. We then delve into Qt Quick, OpenGL, and various other tools to add game logic, design animation, add game physics, and build astonishing UI for the games. Towards the final chapters, you'll learn to exploit mobile device features such as accelerators and sensors to build engaging user experiences. If you are planning to learn about Qt and its associated toolsets to build apps and games, this book is a must have. Style and approach This is an easy-to-follow, example-based, comprehensive introduction to all the major features in Qt. The content of each chapter is explained and organized around one or multiple simple game examples to learn Qt in a fun way.
Game Programming using Qt 5 Beginner's Guide: Create amazing games with Qt 5, C++, and Qt Quick, 2nd Edition
by Pavel Vladimirovich StrakhovA complete guide to designing and building fun games with Qt and Qt Quick using associated toolsetsKey FeaturesA step by step guide to learn Qt by building simple yet entertaining gamesGet acquainted with a small yet powerful addition—Qt Gamepad Module, that enables Qt applications to support the use of gamepad hardware Understand technologies such as QML, OpenGL, and Qt Creator to design intuitive gamesBook DescriptionQt is the leading cross-platform toolkit for all significant desktop, mobile, and embedded platforms and is becoming popular by the day, especially on mobile and embedded devices. It's a powerful tool that perfectly fits the needs of game developers. This book will help you learn the basics of Qt and will equip you with the necessary toolsets to build apps and games.The book begins by how to create an application and prepare a working environment for both desktop and mobile platforms. You will learn how to use built-in Qt widgets and Form Editor to create a GUI application and then learn the basics of creating graphical interfaces and Qt's core concepts.Further, you'll learn to enrich your games by implementing network connectivity and employing scripting. You will learn about Qt's capabilities for handling strings and files, data storage, and serialization.Moving on, you will learn about the new Qt Gamepad module and how to add it in your game and then delve into OpenGL and Vulcan, and how it can be used in Qt applications to implement hardware-accelerated 2D and 3D graphics. You will then explore various facets of Qt Quick: how it can be used in games to add game logic, add game physics, and build astonishing UIs for your games. By the end of this book, you will have developed the skillset to develop interesting games with Qt.What you will learnInstall the latest version of Qt on your systemUnderstand the basic concepts of every Qt game and application Develop 2D object-oriented graphics using Qt Graphics ViewBuild multiplayer games or add a chat function to your games with Qt Network moduleScript your game with Qt QMLExplore the Qt Gamepad module in order to integrate gamepad support in C++ and QML applicationsProgram resolution-independent and fluid UIs using QML and Qt QuickControl your game flow in line with mobile device sensors Test and debug your game easily with Qt Creator and Qt TestWho this book is forIf you want to create great graphical user interfaces and astonishing games with Qt, this book is ideal for you. No previous knowledge of Qt is required; however knowledge of C++ is mandatory.
Game Programming Using Qt 5 Beginner’s Guide, Second Edition: Create Amazing Games With Qt 5, C++, And Qt Quick, 2nd Edition
by Pavel StrakhovQt is the leading cross-platform toolkit for all significant desktop, mobile, and embedded platforms and is becoming popular by the day, especially on mobile and embedded devices. It's a powerful tool that perfectly fits the needs of game developers. This book will help you learn the basics of Qt and will equip you with the necessary toolsets to build apps and games.
Game Programming with Code Angel: Learn how to code in Python on Raspberry Pi or PC
by Mark CunninghamProgram in Python on a Raspberry Pi or PC by developing six computer games. Each game project is split into several chapters of the book. Rather than taking you through programming techniques as standalone concepts, this book explains concepts as they are used within a game.You'll learn about variables; integer, real, Boolean and string data types; conditional if statements; fixed loops and conditional loops; modularity; arrays and lists; and predefined functions. You’ll also discover the PyGame library, which is popularly used in the development of 2D games.Key programming concepts are revisited in subsequent projects in the book to consolidate prior learning. Beyond teaching you how to code, this book explains the programming logic behind each project—exemplifying the process of designing and writing a computer game.All the projects in this book are supported by Code Angel (mycodeangel.com). Code Angel Code Angel largely serves students and new developers and the projects work by encouraging you to ‘Learn…then play’. Taking this approach, you'll be able to build fun 2D games and enjoy playing them by yourself or with friends. Developing games in this way keeps you engaged, gives a purpose as you work through each project, and offers a sense of achievement when each game is finished.What You'll Learn Integrate the fundamentals of the Python 3 programming languageProgram fun, classic computer games you can then playDevelop computational thinking skills and abilities that can be applied to other venturesWho This Book Is ForStudents, hobbyists, new developers or anyone wishing to learn how to design and write computer games.
Game Programming with Unity and C#: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
by Casey HardmanDesigned for beginners with no knowledge or experience in game development or programming, this book teaches the essentials of the Unity game engine,the C# programming language, and the art of object-oriented programming. New concepts are not only explained, but thoroughly demonstrated.Starting with an introduction to Unity, you'll learn about scenes, GameObjects, prefabs, components, and how to use the various windows to interact with the engine. You'll then dive into the fundamentals of programming by reviewing syntax rules, formatting, methods, variables, objects and types, classes, and inheritance, all while getting your hands dirty writing and testing code yourself. Later, the book explains how to expose script data in the Inspector and the basics of Unity’s serialization system. This carefully crafted work guides you through the planning and development of bare bones, simple game projects designed to exercise programming concepts while keeping less relevant interruptions out of the way, allowing you to focus on the implementation of game mechanics first and foremost. Through these example projects, the book teaches input handling, rigidbodies, colliders, cameras, prefab instantiation, scene loading, user interface design and coding, and more.By the end, you'll have built a solid foundation in programming that will pave your way forward in understanding core C# syntax and fundamentals of object-oriented programming—not just what to type but why it's typed and what it’s really doing. Game Programming with Unity and C# will send you on your way to becoming comfortable with the Unity game engine and its documentation and how to independently seek further information on yet-untouched concepts and challenges.What You'll LearnUnderstand the fundamentals of object-oriented computer programming, including topics specifically relevant for games.Leverage beginner-to-intermediate-level skills of the C# programming language and its syntax.Review all major component types of the Unity game engine: colliders and rigidbodies, lights, cameras, scripts, etc.Use essential knowledge of the Unity game engine and its features to balance gameplay mechanics for making interesting experiences. Who This Book Is ForBeginners who have no prior experience in programming or game development who would like to learn with a solid foundation that prepares them to further develop their skills.
Game Programming with Unity and C#: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
by Casey HardmanLearn the essentials of the Unity game engine, the C# programming language, and the art of object-oriented programming. This book is aimed at beginners with no knowledge or experience in game development or programming. Packed with examples, this Second Edition is up-to-date with the latest Unity standards and features as of 2023, and includes many adjustments to improve your experience. Starting with an introduction to Unity, you will learn the essentials of the engine: navigating the various windows, managing the objects that make up your game, and understanding the concepts that are fundamental to the engine. After that, you will gain a solid foundation in the concepts of object-oriented programming and the syntax of the C# language. Then the fun really begins, as you get hands-on experience building three playable example projects that drill you on the concepts you’ve learned until they stick. Guided at each step by author Casey Hardman, you will outline and implement bare-bones, simple games designed to exercise your development skills: a top-down obstacle course, a tower defense game, and a 3D playground that demonstrates Unity's physics features. As you progress through the book, you'll put to use more and more of the features of C# and Unity, adding tools to your belt and strengthening you as a game developer. By the time you’ve completed the book, you will be empowered to strike out on your own and build the game mechanics of your choice. What You Will Learn Understand the fundamentals of object-oriented computer programming and the C# programming languageLeverage the features of Unity to implement game mechanics with reusable, clean, and elegant codeDesign and implement your own mechanics and independently solve problems as they arise Who Is This Book For Beginners who have no prior experience with programming or game development, who would like to learn to create games with a solid foundation that prepares them to further develop their skills.
Game Sound: An Introduction to the History, Theory, and Practice of Video Game Music and Sound Design (The\mit Press Ser.)
by Karen CollinsAn examination of the many complex aspects of game audio, from the perspectives of both sound design and music composition.A distinguishing feature of video games is their interactivity, and sound plays an important role in this: a player's actions can trigger dialogue, sound effects, ambient sound, and music. And yet game sound has been neglected in the growing literature on game studies. This book fills that gap, introducing readers to the many complex aspects of game audio, from its development in early games to theoretical discussions of immersion and realism. In Game Sound, Karen Collins draws on a range of sources—including composers, sound designers, voice-over actors and other industry professionals, Internet articles, fan sites, industry conferences, magazines, patent documents, and, of course, the games themselves—to offer a broad overview of the history, theory, and production practice of video game audio. Game Sound has two underlying themes: how and why games are different from or similar to film or other linear audiovisual media; and technology and the constraints it has placed on the production of game audio. Collins focuses first on the historical development of game audio, from penny arcades through the rise of home games and the recent rapid developments in the industry. She then examines the production process for a contemporary game at a large game company, discussing the roles of composers, sound designers, voice talent, and audio programmers; considers the growing presence of licensed intellectual property (particularly popular music and films) in games; and explores the function of audio in games in theoretical terms. Finally, she discusses the difficulties posed by nonlinearity and interactivity for the composer of game music.