I am looking for a good book about Game programming, that is readable for a 14 year old kid. It should not require much maths, because I am still learn maths at school . It also should not contain much typo''s. A CD is not required. Any recommendations? I know C++''s syntax( Learned it from the C++ black book by Steven Holzner) but nothing about windows API programming. Jeroen "2COOL4-U" de Haas - DefenceAlliance Project Leader/Coder - TacticalOps Linux Beta Tester

"Windows Game programming for dummies"
is a perfect book to get you started.

Get the two books Bezzant said.

OpenGL Game Programming is very good.

Artificial intelligence is the devil... resist intelligent NPC''s

"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster... when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you..."~Friedrich Nietzsche

Heres the big question:

OpenGL or Direct 3D.

OpenGL does the matrices for you... you must do them yourself in D3D.

OpenGL is multiplatformed.

I can''t tell you what makes Direct 3D worth learning.. I don''t use it enough to know whwta is good for other than taking up time.

Direct Input is for input. Its an element of Direct X you will learn in a Direct X book, or OpenGL Game Programming.

Direct Sound is for music and sound FX. It is another element of direct X. You can learn it in OpenGL Game programming.

Direct Play is for multiplayer game programming.. and it is not taught in OpenGK Game Programming..

You can use OpenGL, DInput, DSound, and DPLay together.

Artificial intelligence is the devil... resist intelligent NPC''s

"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster... when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you..."~Friedrich Nietzsche

I was afraid I''d need more math skills. How about the Isometric Game Programming in DirectX 7 book, is that any good. I''ve always wanted to make an RTS game

Jeroen "2COOL4-U" de Haas
- DefenceAlliance Project Leader/Coder
- TacticalOps Linux Beta Tester

Did anyone read Real-Time Strategy Game Programming Using MS Directx 6.0: http://www1.fatbrain.com/asp/bookinfo/bookinfo.asp?theisbn=1556226446&vm=c ? It sounds interesting to me, the only problem is that I have the DX8a SDK, and I use VC++ 6. I read the code will not compile with VC++ 6. I can however download the borland compiler. Did anyone read this book?

Jeroen "2COOL4-U" de Haas
- DefenceAlliance Project Leader/Coder
- TacticalOps Linux Beta Tester

Grr.... ignorance such as that that was displayed by Drizzt pisses me off. That is quite possibly the lamest argument in favour of OpenGL I have ever seen ("OpenGL does the matrices for you... you must do them yourself in D3D.") especially since it''s not true. The D3DX utility library provides any number of tools for matrices. Anyway, both Direct3D and OpenGL are essentially capable of the same things except for multiple platforms, which only OpenGL can do. But if you use all the other aspects of DirectX then you lose that advantage anyway. It''s basically an aesthetic choice. Pick one and stick with it, or even better learn both.

Anyway, as to books, most ones on Direct3D/OpenGL include at least a basic foundation in the Windows API, although it can be useful to get an extra book covering just that for reference. To decide on the book you should look at the book reviews section of this site. If you were able to wrap your head around C++ then any highly recommended book should be fine, I would know, I''m 14 too. If you have enough money, I''d also recommend getting the book Real Time Rendering in addition to whatever other books you purchase. It''s a good foundation/reference for various 3d topics.