The Book
About a year and a half ago I decided that I wanted to compose a book all about making computer games using the easy to use, but extremely powerful programming language called The Games Factory. I knew a new version was in production (strangely enough called Games Factory 2), and so I began the process of putting together an outline to it. I had been using Clickteam's products (the makers of TGF) for a number of years and had a number of computer game articles published in PC Format and Retro Gamer. So I thought this would be a great next step.
The book idea was put forward to Charles River Media and contracts were signed and sealed in October 2004. The book was released in October 2005 and is available to purchase from all good bookstores and from online retailers.
Table of Contents Create Amazing Games in Minutes
Click here to see the book reviews and press so far!
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Book Front Cover Subject to Change. Click here to download original front image. Click here to download new front image. Click here to download the back image. |
Games Covered in the Book
With each of the games in the book I've tried to cover aspects of making games that people would find the most interesting. I also have included games that Indi developers might want to make something similar as shareware, or retro enthusiasts might want to make for fun. You can now download the games installer, so you can take alook at the games covered, click here to download the file (13.3 MB).
There are six games covered in the book (in various degrees of information), these are:
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The Lab
Classic bat & ball action, with a nice twist to give it a new breathe of life. Shows basic movement, destruction and positioning skills. The first full game made within TGF2. Full source code is included on the CD-ROM. |
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Amazing Fighter Pilot
Side scrolling, retro type, plane shoot-em up fun. Uses a different type of scrolling compared to Saturn Storm, showing the developer that you can have more than one technique to make a game. This is the second game that is covered. Full source code is included on the CD-ROM. |
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Robin Hood - The Rescue of Lady Marian
Platform fun, with hints of classic Retro action! You are the legendary hero of England 'Robin Hood'. The evil Sheriff of Nottingham has kidnapped the love of your life 'Lady Marian', and its your task to rescue her, unfortunately soldiers and traps stand in your way! This is the third game that is covered. Full source code is included on the CD-ROM. |
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Alien Invaders
Retro Action, with a hint of gaming history. Using very simple graphics, the code shows how to make a retro game very quickly. Aliens move from top to bottom, destroying your bases as they get closer, can you destroy them before its too late? This is the fourth game that is covered. Full source code is included on the CD-ROM. |
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Jack in the Forest
Side scrolling, platform action. Source code teaches how to mix platform concepts, like ladders, platforms, jumping with obstacles and moving enemies. This games source code is Included on the CD-ROM. |
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Saturn Storm
A side scrolling shoot-em up, featuring enemy ships, big end of level boss, highscores and overall destruction madness. Teaches basic scrolling techniques and animation skills. This games source code is Included on the CD-ROM. |
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