New Game-Related Book: "Game Plan"

[zmeston]

Just received a review copy of "Game Plan" from St. Martin's Press. It's a well-written tome about getting into the game industry -- and somewhat similar to a volume I reviewed earlier this year, "Get In the Game!" The authors of "Game Plan" have many more credits (and much higher-profile ones) than the author of "Get In the Game!", and "Game Plan" is more accessible, while "Get in the Game!" is unnecessarily detailed (and filled with far too much content about interviewing and networking). Finally, "Get In the Game!" has an embarrassingly inaccurate "history of videogames" prologue, while "Game Plan" gets right down to business.

Put simply, if you read only one book about breaking into the videogame business this year, read "Game Plan"!!

My favorite chapter of "Game Plan" is the one that very frankly discusses the two biggest drawbacks of game development: psychotic hours and nonexistent job security. While I'm grateful to game developers for creating products from which I can leech a living, I don't at ALL envy them.

-- Z.

[swlovinist]

Hey Zach, I was wondering if you would want to play Lunar 2 for another 400 hours in 12 hour periods? Just Kidding, I was wondering where I can get this book? This book seems interesting....

[zmeston]

Hey Zach, I was wondering if you would want to play Lunar 2 for another 400 hours in 12 hour periods? Just Kidding, I was wondering where I can get this book? This book seems interesting....

I haven't played even a nanosecond of Lunar 2 since I finished my strategy guide, such is my love for it. Heh. I don't know how exactly much time I spent with Lunar 2, but I worked on the game and guide combined for about a year, so it had to have been at least 1,000 hours. I had many Lunar 2 dreams.

If you can't find "Game Plan" at a bookstore, there's the magic of amazon.com. ISBN 0-312-27504-8. $14.95.

-- Z.

[maxlords]

I haven't played even a nanosecond of Lunar 2 since I finished my strategy guide, such is my love for it. Heh. I don't know how exactly much time I spent with Lunar 2, but I worked on the game and guide combined for about a year, so it had to have been at least 1,000 hours. I had many Lunar 2 dreams.

-- Z.

Good gods! I had trouble actually finishing the game cause it had such slow pacing...I think that if I had to spend THAT much time with it...I'd want to set fire to every copy I ever saw! Now THAT'S dedication!

[zmeston]

I haven't played even a nanosecond of Lunar 2 since I finished my strategy guide, such is my love for it. Heh. I don't know how exactly much time I spent with Lunar 2, but I worked on the game and guide combined for about a year, so it had to have been at least 1,000 hours. I had many Lunar 2 dreams.

-- Z.

Good gods! I had trouble actually finishing the game cause it had such slow pacing...I think that if I had to spend THAT much time with it...I'd want to set fire to every copy I ever saw! Now THAT'S dedication!

It's not exactly dedication if someone's paying you to do it. Heh. The book was frankly more draining than the game, especially since I ended up doing both at once for a while.

-- Z.