Summary

This book looks in some detail at the various aspects of creating computer, console, and handheld games. It does not try to be an exhaustive examination because each topic discussed could be the subject of an entire book. Creating games has become increasingly complex as the technologies involved in building them and displaying them have become more advanced. Teams have grown in size and responsibilities, and the process of preparing, testing, and balancing the assets that make up the game (art, design, code modules, music, sound effects, and so on) takes more time.   

Because so much money is now at stake, creating a new video or computer game has become as risky as creating a new movie. Of the numerous titles that appear every year, many more games lose money than earn a profit for the publisher, but as in the movie industry, games can be very rewarding for those who create popular successes. In the end, those who work in the industry usually discover that the process of building a game, while often demanding and stressful, can be just as much fun as playing one.