Ok, I''m new to the Computer programming thing, but I''ve found that many people seem to think that Andre''s books are top notch. Now I''ve seen at my local book store the "Tricks of windows game programming gurus" and the "Tricks of windows game programming gurus; Second Edition". Now, there both very expensive, so which one should I get? I heard that the first is just 2D and the second is the 3D stuff. Now because I''m not very experienced with game programming (although I did a lot of VB) should I just stick with the first because I won''t be able to keep up with the second? Anyone''s opinion would be helpfull (although if you have actually heard or read one or both of these books that would help much more) Thanks

If I''m not mistaken, isn''t second edition just an update of the first volume, or is it actually the 3d oriented one? I''ve checked the contents off of Amazon.com, and that seems to be the case. In that case, the two are more or less the same book. Go for the second edition. It probably fixes some of the typos (even in code) that the first book suffered from. (I only have the first edition, so I''m assuming here)

-Arek the Absolute

Yeah, I ponied up $49 for the first volume (which isn't marked as such) thinking it would indeed include good stuff on 3D as well as 2D...said it was on the CD. It wasn't on the CD...just some general stuff on 3D, nothing spectacular. Also, the stuff on data organization, physics, AI, etc. (the game stuff) was pretty minimal and largely unimpressive.

Honestly, I don't like Lamothe's books that well (esp. at $50/each) . I had the one eons ago and it was okay, but didn't knock my socks off. Just my own opinion but I wish he'd spend more time on game stuff and less time on system stuff.

For what it's worth.

***Edit. Maybe I was too harsh on the guy. It's the titles that get me "Tricks...Gurus". Says 'Gurus' so I naturally think there's some real goodies in it.

[edited by - mearrin69 on August 13, 2002 2:22:04 AM]

It''s a beginners book, so if you''re not a beginner it will seem very underwhelming. As beginners book, it''s not bad, other than the broken promises about 3D. I never looked at the 2nd edition, so I can''t say for that one.

To be fair though, it''s pretty much impossible to find a programming book under $30, and most of them are around the 40-50 range, so I can''t yell at Lamothe too much. That''s why I only own two books. Thank whatever gods, dieties, spirits, or other powers that you may believe in for the internet, and sites like this. I''d have either given up on programming, or be very, very poor.

-Arek the Absolute

The 2nd edition is just an updated version. He is supposedly working on a Volume 2 that will concentrate more on 3D/Direct3D, but I haven''t seen anything substantive about it.

John.

It''s a great book to start with, I have the second edition which fixes some codes problems etc. The second edition is not to be confused with the talked about volume 2 which will focus on D3D. The second is still 2D/DirectDraw.

The tutorials and examples in the DirectX SDK are also quite helpfull.

And then for D3D go for Real-Time Rendering Tricks and Techiniques, which is an excellent book on D3D and covers some advanced topics.

Also, I noticed you were from Canada, (me too eh). But here it is much better to buy computer books online as in store chapters or indigo will really kill you. I saw Tricks of.. in Chapters for 93.00 and then went online and it was selling for 65.00 (www.indigo.ca) Well worth the few days waiting for the shipping to arrive. Also check amazon.ca, often a book will be on special at either one or the other.

Good luck in your reading,
- James

But it dont teach C++ right? check it out, If you dont know C++ then u d better find something else 1st.

Kanguru:

Nope, it doesn''t waste half the book explaining C++. In fact most of the examples are in C, but he does explain where C++ might be used in some places.

AddMan3001:

I would suggest that if you need to learn C++, pick up a good intro book (there are lots), and then you should have no problem using TOTWGPG.

John.