No comments about Mortal Kombat 3: Official Arcade Secrets.

5 comments about Special Effects Game Programming with DirectX w/CD (The Premier Press Game Development Series).

1. This book is halfway decent. It reminds me a lot of back in the day programming little tricks in dos to make cool effects on the screen. Actually, it reminds me a lot of my high school computer science class when I already knew the language, so the teacher let me sit and make a graphics demo to teach the graphics portion of the class. I made a whole ton of demos of neat little tricks that were simple to do but had a good effect.

   That is what this book is like. You get a few neat tricks, but the problem I have with this is the same as all the others: too much beginner garbage. On top of that, the content does not allow you as much room for expansion beyond what it gives you.

   Bottom line:

   It's a buy next to many of the other books out there. But it's still not near the top dog, Programming Role-Playing games with DIrectX by Jim Adams is the best one.




2. Every book in the prima tech series, this one included, spends an unnecessary amount of pages on the basics that you learn when you first start programming. I knew all the basics that are talked about for 100s of pages in these prima tech books after reading my very first book on game programming, titled "Windows Game Programming For Dummies" by Andre LaMonthe. Prima Tech has been complained about by a huge percentage of people for not putting enough of what the book title suggests into thier books, while putting way too much about what their book title should imply that the readers already know. Those things include: Win32 API basics (such as making a window, menus, buttons, dialog boxes, and a half a dozen other things), introduction to COM architecture, introduction to DirectDraw, DirectSound, DirectInput, DirectPlay, DirectX Graphics, etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.... When someone like me wants to buy a book that focuses on Special Effects programming, why should I have to expect 500 pages of useless information that I learned 25 books ago, and expect only 300+ pages of actual content. And none, and I do mean NONE, of the prima tech books actual "content" goes beyond the classification of BASICS. Most basics can be figured out by the programmer, advanced topics, yeah the ones programmers actually buy the books for, are almost never covered.

   However, the two best books by far in the Prima Tech series are "Multiplayer Game Programming" by Todd Baren and "Programming Role Playing Games with DirectX" by Jim Adams. If you combine what you learn in those two books, you will have enough knowledge to construct a Direct3D application, like an RPG, that has multiplayer support. Todd Baren's book even covers MMORPGs like EverQuest, Anarchy Online, Ultima Online, & Asheron's Call. MMORPGs are some, if not THE, most popular PC games on the market right now.




3. But!!!
   alot of mistakes!
   all the code is wrong!
   you need to look at the examples on the cd to be able to run even the first program.
   this is the ONLY disadvatage...
   everything else is GREAT!!!
   you should buy the book if you are intrested in RPG.
   it explain preety good about almost all you need, except meshes...
   but Jim Adams got another new book about meshes and skeletal animation.
   buy both of them :)
   enjoy



4. This book covers an amazing amount of material with a fun, down-to-earth writing style.

   I mostly referenced this book for specific effects as I needed them, each chapter is kind of like a stand alone tutorial, very easy to follow and actually implement in your own code.

   You can make a 3d game with this, I did.




5. It's very hard to find accessible books on visual effect algorithms these days. Everyone just expects you to buy the latest software and pull down the appropriate menu and not worry about the math. For those of you who want something between yet another book on basic computer graphics and inaccessible tomes on visual effects that are written by academics for academics, this out of print book fits the bill. The DirectX info is probably largely out of date, but the last half of the book on special effects is done in language-independent way so that it serves as a tutorial on algorithm details regardless of what language you are working on. The book is written so that you can skip to the special effect you are interested in and get a well written and well illustrated short tutorial on most of the basics - lens flare, clouds, fire, water, lighting, etc. Since the book is only sold used, make sure you get a copy with the CD because there is a wealth of material on it including complete code. The book really isn't a standalone anything, but it will make a good complement to the other books on game/special effects programming you have in your library even at its advanced age.

No comments about Sega Genesis Secrets (Secrets of the Games Series).

No comments about Super NES Games Unauthorized Power Tips Book (Secrets of the Games Series.).

5 comments about Rome: Total War (Prima Official Game Guide).

1. This guide is rather disappointing. It is not a strategy guide as much as it is a manual. The chapters it has on battle maps and campaign maps brovide little information that isn't available in the game's manual. The strategy guide does have a nice catalog of all units and buildings, which is helpful.
   
   I had hoped this guide would provide a lot of information on how to play the game and get through certain situations. It is nice to know what a certain unit does and what its exact statistics are, but before I am interested in that, I would like some basic information on how to fight a battle. Knowing that fire arrows make the ememy peer their pants is interesting, but it would be nice to know when to use them, when not to use them, how accurate they are compared to regular arrows and such.
   
   There are many examples that need explaining on the campaign map too. What can I do to make sure my family tree grows? If I do not have enough family members to put a governor in every town and a general in every army, is it better to have towns without governors or armies without a leader?
   
   None of these questions are answered here. The closest this guide comes to really guiding the reader is in the section about historical battles (although those chapters are very short). Overall, I recommend you go to www.totalwar.org and ignore this guide.



2. First of all I'd like to point out that most people who play this game and give it poor reviews do not have enough patiences or common sense required to play a game like this. For Example, as another reviewer stated,
   
   "The back cover of the book says "Fully Detailed Campaign Map". Try and find it in the book! What they meant by this was they threw a 7 x 4.5 inch black and white picture of the campaign map on the last page!! The image has terrible contrast and it's black and white and really small. You cant even make out city names that's how bad it is. Considering the game comes with a 1 1/2 foot by 1 foot fold out color map what the heck good is this? More than that the total war website has a province profile in flash that is FREE."
   
   Very good, the back says that there is a "Fully Detailed Campaign Map".... IN THE GAME!!! it means that the campaign map in the game is fully detailed. The campaigns are awesome in general but that is a different subject altogether.
   
   I'd like to make the point that never in these types of strategy games or in the Total War series did I require a game guide, I have never bought one for any game as a matter of fact. These types of games simply require common sense and a slight historical knowledge.
   
   Ok, while this game may be immense in the hard drive space that it requires it more than delivers as an incredible RTS game. The graphics and displays are beautiful as you march grand armies of Greek Hoplites, Roman Chariots, Egyptian archers, and War Elephants across incredibly detailed and vast maps. In addition each and every solider in your army is fully and individually controlled by the computer. In other words, there is no mass control as in other games, (Medieval: Total War for example), an entire unit acts as one and in Rome: Total War there is as individual "personality" to each individual of your troops.
   
   The graphics are also incredible and yes they do require much of your computers capabilities, so I'd like to address the issue of technical issues. If you are not prepared to stop downloading pornography or music while you play then do not buy the game. This game can be incredible but only if you take an hour or so (if your like me and need to take breaks cause of attention span issues) to just use your computer for this game. I'll admit that multiple times I have been sucked into the game only to end up playing for hours and neglecting many other tasks that required my attention.
   
   Another credit to this game is the historical accuracy of the in game units. All of the units are taken directly from the historical libraries of the world and are fairly incredible to look at. (there is some embelishment in some of the units.)
   
   If you are worried about not enjoying the game head over to the Total War website and download the demo. www.totalwar.com
   
   This game has won many awards: Best in its class 2004 E3 2004, Best Strategy Game 2004 from Gamespot
   
   Reviews:
   
   IGN: 94% "...Rome: Total War is without a doubt one of the best games I've ever played."
   GameSpot: 91% "...realistic, cinematic-style battles."
   GameSpy: 90% "Rome is as deep and as satisfying as they come ...visually awesome ...awesome game play."
   FiringSquad: 93% "This is quite likely the best strategy game ever."
   GameZone 93% "...a great game that will provide a lot of enjoyment to action, strategy, or history fans (or all three in one)"
   
   Yet more another award for Rome: Total War! We won the Computer Strategy Game of the Year Category at The Academy of the Interactive Arts & Sciences 8th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards.
   
   The lovely readers of Gamespy have voted Rome: Total War the Best Strategy Game of 2004. Voodoo Extreme picked its best PC games of 2004 and voted Rome: Total War the Best Strategy Game.
   
   Here are some comments about this game:
   Edge Magazine November 2004  90%
   
   "To say I loved every minute of Rome Total War is a tremendous understatement."
   "For my money its the ultimate strategy game."
   "... refined to utter perfection"
   "A strategy-gaming classic."  
   PC Gamer US November 2004 92%
   
   "The best real time strategy game yet made."
   Time Magazine
   
   "Prepare to be astounded. "
   PC Zone
   
   "Every thing we've seen of Rome: Total War points toward it being an epic, brilliant, and brutal masterpiece."
   PC Gamer US January 2004
   
   
   Look, its a great game, thats a fact.



3. Why bother buying this guide !
   when playing the game
   you have two Roman advice guides to help you.



4. This is a complete waste of time, and a way to get easy cash from the producers and distributors of this game.
   
   I bet with everyone that the guy who gave it 5 stars probably is one of CA (Creative Assembly) cursed staff. Just look at the way he quoted magazines "Oh wonderful graphics" "Best game ever" bla bla bla and all the crap you can wonder.
   
   Of course, the magazines players and testers come to fall in the eyecandy category, and when they see good graphics they categorize it like the game of the century. Total Disappointment.
   
   I hope you learned from this reviem.



5. Don't waste your money on this guide, it's full of fluff, needless information, and false advertising. The back of the guide gives five bulleted statements, intended to make you want to buy Prima's offering:
   
   * FULLY DETAILED CAMPAIGN MAP
   * IMPERIAL CAMPAIGN TIPS AND STRATEGIES
   * BATTLEFIELD TIPS AND STRATEGIES
   * VALUABLE UNIT AND STRUCTURE STATISTICS FOR ALL FACTIONS
   * WINNING TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR HISTORICAL BATTLES
   
   The first statement (despite claims to the contrary in another review) is misleading. It is obvious from the context that the statement is talking about the guide and not the game. That's what the back cover in a case like this is suppose to be, an advertisement for the information inside! Sometimes they give summary blurbs, sometimes bulleted information, but whatever the case, it is talking about the guide in your hand, not the game in your computer. But the guide most certainly does NOT have a "Fully Detailed Campaign Map". As others have pointed out, the game itself comes with a color map that measures 12 by 18 inches; and all that is in the guide is a blurry, very small, 7 1/2 by 4 1/2 inch map in black and white. Ironically the map on the back cover of the guide (the part you can see anyway), which is not meant to give information so much as serve as part of the advertisement, is actually a lot CLEARER than the map in the actual guide. The real kicker is that they put "Fully Detailed Campaign Map" first in the order, and in a much larger font, than the other bulleted statements. As though this were the guide's main selling point! Incredible.
   
   The next statement said "Imperial Campaign Tips and Strategies". As others have said, though, you will be hard-pressed to find any of this in the actual guide. Real tips and strategies would have been information like:
   
   "Besides a penalty for having a different culture, the further a conquered city is from your capital the more unhappy the citizens will be. Therefore, if you have a family member who has attributes which help him keep public order, place him in this type of large, foreign city."
   
   Instead, what we get is a lot of repeating what the manual said, with some elementary additions that most people who play strategy games would know anyway. And in a great game like Rome, you can't even give them the benefit of the doubt by saying that maybe the info is for people new to strategy games. Rome gives all the information necessary for new people to know what to do in situations like that. For example, in a case like public disorder, you can right-click on your buildings and see exactly how much they can improve the order, you can easily change the taxes and instantaneously see the difference it makes on happiness, and you can go to the city's details and find out the exact reasons for unhappiness in the city. It even tells you how much of a problem each factor is causing, like saying "Squalor: 20%; Culture Penalty: 50%; etc." Now, a REAL tip would have been to explain why, for example, having 80 soldiers can sometimes have the same effect on unrest as having 160 soldiers. Is the ability of a garrison to pacify the people based on the "tier" the city is on, the population, the types of soldiers, a mix of factors, or what?
   
   The third statement is: "Battlefield Tips and Strategies". This is similar to what I said about about the imperial tips, but Prima is a little better here. Some of the strategies, while simplistic, are at least good to repeat. There is also some good information here, like the explaining of the different formations, or listing all the factors that can effect troop morale, but this good content unfortunately does not go on for very long. They do have something called "Ten Tips For Victory," which gives ten short statements about good strategy. While the tips aren't anything particularly deep and are pretty basic (stategically speaking), it is at least an attempt. If only they would have put more of an effort to going outside of Instruction Guide mode more often in other areas, I might have given the guide two stars.
   
   The fourth bulleted statement said: "Valuable Unit and Structure Statistics For All Factions". I'll first say that I was somewhat let down that they didn't have a chart with all the unit information on it. They spend over fifty pages giving information about the units, but none of it is new. It is basically the same info that the game itself gives you by simply right-clicking on a unit. So in the end, all this information in the guide comes off as nothing more than filler. If the information had been compiled into a chart, it at least could have served the purpose of being a quick reference when comparing the strenths and weaknesses of various units. For example, you might be in the middle of a battle, and have several units with axes (which are good against armor), so you would want to know the status of the armor on various enemy units so as to determine who best to attack next; a graph could have given this information to you within seconds. But as it is, you are forced to first find the right faction (they are not really set apart very well), and then look up each unit's armor one by one.
   
   This fourth statement is also misleading. It does NOT have structure statistics for all factions, as it claims. In fact, it has structure statistics for only 11 of the 19 factions, with the rationale being that you can't play the other 8 factions. Well, first, this is only half true because you can conquer a foreign city and therefore will take over their buildings. So knowing the statistics of their buildings (even if you can't start a game as that faction) could still be relevant. Of course, you could just right-click on the building to get it's statistics, but then the same argument would make almost ALL the information in this book superfluous as it's almost all in the game. This is not to say that a guide has no purpose at all. One of the few things that a guide can provide is a way of comparing and contrasting different buildings, units, etc.; unfortunately Prima didn't seem to want to go that route.
   
   Whatever the case may be, in the end, Prima decided to exclude the structure statistics for 8 factions, so it is misleading to say that the guide contains "Valuable unit and structure statistics for all factions". They should have inserted the word "playable": they have statistics for all playable factions.
   
   The last bulleted statement said that the guide contained "Winning Tips and Strategies For Historical Battles," and it is only in this area that the guide rises even to an acceptable level. Unfortunately, it is too little and too late. By the time you get to this section, you have already went through 165 pages of mostly fluff, filler, and information that was in the instruction booklet that came with the game. The sad thing is that even the information that they tried to give is incomplete. They had a section on the unit statistics of barbarian mercenaries, for example, but then left out information about half the mercenary units in the game! There is no mention of Libyan Mercenaries, Samnite Mercenaries, Mercenary Hoplites, Mercenary Peltasts, Barbarian Mercenaries, or other such units.
   
   Rome: Total War is a very good strategy game. It will probably be the game I play most until Age of Empires 3 (and especially Civilization 4) come out later this year or early next year. But a good game does not equate to a good guide (as the other guy seemed to think, for some reason). So my conclusion is that it would be best to skip this game guide and spend your money on something else; Most of the information you need is already in the game, and the rest you can figure out on your own.

1 comments about The Space Quest Companion.

1. Sierra was known for being the formost creator of adventure games in the 80s to the early 90s. Space Quest was one of the greatest fruits of their efforts. This book, having read it at my library, gives you novelazations of the first 5 games in the space quest series. 5/6 of the series for eternity (unless Sierra makes another one, which has the same probability of a snowball surviving in hell). These are very humorful, and give you a good grasp of the game, even if you never played it. You also get Walkthroughs, maps, and pointlists for each of the games. A great help for completeing it! So sad that this book is out of print, but if you see a copy I would say to snap it up as quick as possible, because this book is just great. No more to be said.

3 comments about High-Tech Toys for Your TV: Secrets of TiVo, Xbox, ReplayTV, UltimateTV and More (Que-Consumer-Other).

1. Everything you've always wanted to know about TV high tech tools and how to get the most out of your viewing experience is presented in this book. The straight forward, concise and to the point style leaves no room for misunderstanding. Kovsky, who has been a tech journalist for many years obviously knows what he's writing about and explains things like TiVo, game consoles, and video convergence devices with an insiders expertise. I found High-Tech Toys For Your TV very readable and extremely informative. It's a good read but an even better resource for all us TV hounds.



2. This book was given to me as a gift. For someone who likes the latest gadgets but is too busy to keep up with all the product offerings, this is the perfect book. Written in clear english with a touch of personality, it is very informative and helpful. I would think that anyone who doesn't have time to shop the personal electronic stores full of people who have no idea of what they are trying to sell would love this book.



3. While I rigorously maintain my status as a rider on the leading wave of software technologies, I am way behind the curve when it comes to entertainment. Before I read this book, I had only a glancing understanding of the latest technologies in capturing and replaying television broadcasts and other interactive entertainment devices (IED). Even though the information is now dated, I found the book well worth reading.
   Like everything else, the advance of technology in this area is amazing, it seems that the only thing that can slow it down is legal action. Each of the descriptions starts at the most elementary of levels, yet is thorough enough so that when I was finished, I understood the advantages and disadvantages of each enhancement. Kovsky is also very diligent in pointing out the costs and explaining some of the difficulties that can be encountered when setting up and interfacing the various types of IED's. Pointers to some of the best improvements that you can do to enhance your experience are also included.
   If you are new to the arena of high technology entertainment, then this is an excellent place to begin your education. Be warned however, you will be tempted to purchase some of the equipment that is described.

1 comments about Escape From Monkey Island (PS2) (Prima's Official Strategy Guide).

1. For us people that can use help sometimes (or get frustrated easily) this is the perfect book. The first chapter is the introduction. Followed by a story of what has happened in the other games.Then a chapter of all the characters. After that, there's the Hint section. In this section you get just a little bit of help. Then there's a chapter called Maps, Charts and Other Aids to Navigation. After that, my favorite chapter. The complete Walkthrough. Followed by a list of inventory items and their uses. And last but not least, there's a small chapter of art. The Background chapter is quite interesting to read. And the Character chapter is interesting to. The hints section is perfect for those who don't want to totally give the game away. And the walkthrough is perfect for people like me. (Those who like the easy way of playing the game). This is a great book to have.

3 comments about Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions: Prima's Official Strategy Guide.

1. This is by far the best guide you can get (it's also the only one). The detailed maps are great if you are hung up on a part of the game. The guide tells you how to avoid the guards, solve the missions, get all the items, and tons more!

   As I said, this is the Ultimate Guide! and a MUST HAVE! I definatly recommend you get this. You won't be let down!




2. What can I say.
   This guide fell into my lap.
   And I am so grateful it did.
   I do like finding old guides in great condition.



3. This is the ultimate guide for the true MGS fan. I was a bit doubtful what a VR missions game would be like, but its very addictive.
   
   These guide walks you through all the missions with information about how to solve each scenerio.
   
   If you want the satisfaction that comes from a 100 percent completion then this guide would be worth its weight in gold!

2 comments about SOCOM 3: Piggyback's Authorized Collection.

1. Sea Snipers collaborate on the Official Socom 3 guide by writing the multiplayer section & ILLUSTRATING ALL MAPS!!!
   
   --------------------------------------------------
   Communique from [SS]Rator -- Admiral, Sea Snipers
   --------------------------------------------------
   
   At the beginning of June, the Sea Snipers were contracted by Piggyback (Halo 2 Official Guide, Jak 3 Official guide) to write the multiplayer section of the Socom 3 Official Guide. The multiplayer chapters represent 70 pages of the 200 page guide , which will be available in all stores on 10/11 with the game. In addition to writing the multiplayer section of the guide, Generator Studios was contracted to illustrate all of the single and multiplayer maps! Yep, ALL the maps are DONE and they look even better than the Socom 1 & 2 maps.
   
   This is the first time that a clan has ever been contracted to collaborate on an official guide in the history of gaming. My men and myself worked night and day to compile the most complete, accurate and detailed multiplayer information on Socom 3 for you all. In addition, all of the maps are just as you like 'em. Illustrated in the same style as the original Socom 1 and 2 maps, they came out great!
   
   Since all of the [SS] were included in the Beta cycle thanks to E-Seals [...], Piggyback and the [SS] were able to research, test, and compile tons of information. Everything from "Getting Started" which includes details on all of the games' options as well as screenshots and descriptions of everything you can do in the game, to "Tips & Tricks" that span beginner player tips to advanced veteran tricks and even weapon stats and charts, and "Strategies" which run the gamut from noob tips to advanced strategies for both terrorists and seals that can help you and your clan get more tactical. We (the [SS]) have even divulged some of our inner workings and structure including how to create your own clan, recruit new members, run practices, matches and how to reward your members.
   
   And yes, ALL the maps are in the guide. I know it used to take us 3 weeks to a month to complete just one map, but with all of the great information we were provided with from Piggyback, we were able to get them all done before the release of Socom 3. And not just the multiplayer maps, but the single player maps as well. All of the icons and details are in place, and Piggyback will be releasing downloadable PDF versions of some of the maps before the game even comes out.
   
   We have put ALOT of work into this puppy. Thanks to all of the Sea Snipers that gave me some awesome information, we couldn't have done it without you. I must have received over 100 pages of information, strategies, tips, tricks and charts from these guys that I compiled and wrote the multiplayer section from (the final multiplayer section is 70 pages of a total of 200 in the finished guide). I did all of the maps in hi-res for Piggyback and they look fantastic! Finally you guys don't have to wait until Socom 4 comes out for me to finish the last maps for Socom 3! LOL!
   
   I have to give a big THANK YOU to all my new friends at Piggyback for giving the Sea Snipers and Generator Studios the chance of a lifetime to work on the Socom 3 project. We've been wanting to do this since Socom 1!
   
   So, now you all know why we've been so "busy" and unable to accept a lot of matches and scrimmages in the past month! We had a very tight deadline, but the write-up and the maps were scrutinized by all the parties involved and came back with great reviews. All in all, everyone is very happy with the final product. Thanks again to everyone that was involved with this project, it was an AWESOME opportunity for all of us to be a part of.
   
   Don't forget to check the credits in the back of the guide to see your friendly Sea Snipers names in lights!
   
   [..]



2. Not sure what this other dude is talking about - unless you need advice like "pick a good gun with a high fire rate" and "shoot at the same time you are running". The instruction manual has everything this book does.
   No cheat codes were discussed, etc. Note the reviews on the previous SOCOM books. They have the same complaints.