Photics said: Are there any volunteers to test the e-commerce system? You get to be the first one to buy the book.
Congrats!! And I volunteer to test it, if you still require assistance. The timing is very sweet since I'll be going into a major tertiary school next week to advocate use of GameSalad. ^_^
Hey guys, I'm really REALLY impressed. Standing ovation for Photics. I just checked the 199 pages and my jaws dropped. Every aspect of GS seems to be explained. a lot of tips (the few I check switched on the light in my head), lots of ADVANCED and not common use of behaviours, a good explanation of math (sin, cos, angles), game types explained.
Really, I'm impressed. This book deserve a real publication, something like GAMESALAD for dummies... I feel I spent my bucks well...
I'm up-to-date with the recent orders. I solved the file transfer problem.
Thank you for the great feedback. Firemaplegames pointed out some typos/grammatical issues in the sample copy. I updated the official book and I'm going to update the sample soon.
Wow, the feedback is great. It seems that the book is well liked. Thank you for the encouraging words! I'm up-to-date with the orders again, so that's good! If you ordered the book, you should be able to log into the download site now.
I have to say the math chapter alone is worth the $20!
I'm not trying to kiss a$$ here, but damn man, you have seriously changed the way I make games, and I have not even come close to half-way through the book!
Just as an example, a game I have been wanting to make for a LOOOOOONG time just became possible, all because of your short but informative explanation of some specific behaviors and math formulas that when put together allow me to do EXACTLY what I was trying to do before!
So I guess what im trying to say is thank you! Your hard work is MUCH appreciated!
I'll go get myself a copy too... the preview looks very proffessional. I like the retro/futurisitc cover, nice touch. So we can learn to make retro 2D games in cutting edge easy to use software...
Hey Photics, have you thought about publishing via print on demand through Createspace? Doesn't cost anything and that way people could buy a physical version, too ;-)
Do you have an advanced section to discuss using 1 actor for multiple actors as fire maple and quantum sheep have been talking about? Or maybe do an advanced user book?
BarkBarkCo said: I see. Everything else looks great so far. I like your take on the membership level debate... ;-)
Have you looking into getting this published?
A while back, I was communicating with a publisher. I'm not sure what happened, but it seems that the idea was dropped when it was realized that this community is smaller than other game development communities. I like self-publishing anyway. I think that's why people like the book so much. I had to control the whole production process, so there weren't issues with opposite ideas, office politics, or editorial conflicts. I could just write and create.
To be quite frank on the matter, I spent more time writing emails back-and-forth than actually writing the book. With self-publishing I could stay focused and get work done.
iPhoneDevForMe said: I have to say the math chapter alone is worth the $20!
Ha, that's great. I'm glad that you like the math section. I like the artwork for that chapter. I think it helps to explain the different functions.
POLYGAMe said: Hey Photics, have you thought about publishing via print on demand through Createspace? Doesn't cost anything and that way people could buy a physical version, too ;-)
I am considering Createspace. That's why the book size is 8"x10". However, international shipping is tricky. Also, the book is still new. I'm getting feedback and I've already made changes. I'm also waiting to see what happens with GameSalad. With a PDF, I can keep up with the beta. With a book, it can't be easily updated once it's sent out there.
BinaryBiscuits said: Do you have an advanced section to discuss using 1 actor for multiple actors as fire maple and quantum sheep have been talking about? Or maybe do an advanced user book?
From what I've read on the forums, it seems to work on a large scale. But when I tested it on a small scale, I wasn't seeing a difference. I didn't want to put in the book, "Firemaplegames says it's better". Obviously his credibility in the community is huge, and clearly something is going on, but this book is written from my experience with GameSalad. I tested the instancing. I couldn't confirm it 100%. I think maybe it's not a design flaw but a bug. Maybe it's a memory leak.
I know that beginner / advanced is a big thing in computer books, but this book doesn't work that way - because GameSalad doesn't work that way. There are advanced topics in the book. I tried to write a book that would appeal to beginners and advanced users.
I didn't realize how much I would learn about GameSalad by writing this book. I thought I knew everything I needed to know. But since I had to go through every piece of GameSalad, I was forced to look at the topics I overlooked. For example, the "Display Text" pages are awesome. It changed the way I use that behavior.
I'm up-to-date on orders again, so those who ordered a copy of the book should be able to log into the download area.
iDeveloperz said: Awww. I can't use google checkout :S
Can you get it with paypal?
Great job by the way!
I have an alternative way for you to send money. It's a bit of a hassle for me, so I'm not publicly announcing it. But if you're interested, you can contact me via the email address at the bottom of my website...
Hey, odd question... but if I were to buy the book, would you give me permission to upload the PDF and get one made via Createspace (or Lulu or similar)? Obviously I wouldn't sell it or make available to the public, I'd just order the one as I like to have "physical" books.
POLYGAMe said: Hey, odd question... but if I were to buy the book, would you give me permission to upload the PDF and get one made via Createspace (or Lulu or similar)? Obviously I wouldn't sell it or make available to the public, I'd just order the one as I like to have "physical" books.
No, because Createspace assigns an ISBN to the book. You'd also have two copies of the book, one PDF and one printed. Do you want to order a printed copy at $29.95 plus shipping and handling?
If people don't want to wait for perfection, I can probably make a printed copy available later today... or later this week.
Hehe, I might just have to buy the PDF copy. Do you go into detail about random spawning/timers etc? The stuff I'm really keen on is the cool math features and random spawning. Also, optimising.
Comments
Very pro looking and appears to be all encompassing
Good luck with the book!
Really, I'm impressed. This book deserve a real publication, something like GAMESALAD for dummies...
I feel I spent my bucks well...
thanks photics!
Thank you for the great feedback. Firemaplegames pointed out some typos/grammatical issues in the sample copy. I updated the official book and I'm going to update the sample soon.
Cheers, Weswog
I just placed my order, eagerly waiting!
Well done, I have to say you sure did follow through!
-Kyle
EDIT: What exactly is a hotcake?
Have you looking into getting this published?
I'm not trying to kiss a$$ here, but damn man, you have seriously changed the way I make games, and I have not even come close to half-way through the book!
Just as an example, a game I have been wanting to make for a LOOOOOONG time just became possible, all because of your short but informative explanation of some specific behaviors and math formulas that when put together allow me to do EXACTLY what I was trying to do before!
So I guess what im trying to say is thank you! Your hard work is MUCH appreciated!
-Kyle
I'll go get myself a copy too... the preview looks very proffessional. I like the retro/futurisitc cover, nice touch. So we can learn to make retro 2D games in cutting edge easy to use software...
Just been having a quick read through, and looks like you've nailed everything. This will DEFINITELY help a lot of GameSala users so great job!
// Red Dot Inc
To be quite frank on the matter, I spent more time writing emails back-and-forth than actually writing the book. With self-publishing I could stay focused and get work done. Ha, that's great. I'm glad that you like the math section. I like the artwork for that chapter. I think it helps to explain the different functions. I am considering Createspace. That's why the book size is 8"x10". However, international shipping is tricky. Also, the book is still new. I'm getting feedback and I've already made changes. I'm also waiting to see what happens with GameSalad. With a PDF, I can keep up with the beta. With a book, it can't be easily updated once it's sent out there. From what I've read on the forums, it seems to work on a large scale. But when I tested it on a small scale, I wasn't seeing a difference. I didn't want to put in the book, "Firemaplegames says it's better". Obviously his credibility in the community is huge, and clearly something is going on, but this book is written from my experience with GameSalad. I tested the instancing. I couldn't confirm it 100%. I think maybe it's not a design flaw but a bug. Maybe it's a memory leak.
I know that beginner / advanced is a big thing in computer books, but this book doesn't work that way - because GameSalad doesn't work that way. There are advanced topics in the book. I tried to write a book that would appeal to beginners and advanced users.
I didn't realize how much I would learn about GameSalad by writing this book. I thought I knew everything I needed to know. But since I had to go through every piece of GameSalad, I was forced to look at the topics I overlooked. For example, the "Display Text" pages are awesome. It changed the way I use that behavior.
I'm up-to-date on orders again, so those who ordered a copy of the book should be able to log into the download area.
http://photics.com
If people don't want to wait for perfection, I can probably make a printed copy available later today... or later this week.
PayPal is easy. (plus so many withdraw option.. bank, check, spend it with the credit/debit card, etc)
I also suggest http://pragprog.com/write-for-us for the physical book; Thinking about writing a book for them also. (Though not about GS)
I started working on my next game, but I just wasn't feeling it. Maybe today I could work on making a printed copy of the book available.