Rating: 
Summary: Great for those just starting out
Review:
This is a good book for people who have never dealt with DirectX. It's based on Dr. Parberry's lectures from the game programming class he teaches at the University of North Texas. It goes through a simple 2D game explaining every step from start to finish.--------------> this isn't a reference book <----------------
It's meant to give you starting point -- some basic knowledge that you can build on as you become a better game programmer. If you need a DirectX reference (and you will), buy something like Inside DirectX. The book expects you to know C++. At UNT it's a senior-level class. You're expected to know what you're doing by the time you get there. I only have a few minor problems with it:
1. the coding style can be hard to read in some places
2. there are some typos (but, thankfully, not in the code)
3. and the game you end up with is GOD AWFUL. But now you can use what you learned to make outstanding games on your own. It's a great learning tool.
Rating:
Summary: Great for Game Programming Starters (Like me!)
Review: After browsing through MANY game programming books over a several years, this is the first that I have actually wanted to buy. I've seen game programming books that focus on audiences of varying skill levels, ranging from pointlessly simple to needing a de-encryption algorithm to understand the writing style. Many of them are written by industry gurus who, admittedly, really know their stuff, but are not very good at teaching it. Dr. Parberry is a college professor; he has experience on how to gear his lessons towards those who want to learn, and it shows in his writing style. The CD that comes with the book contains the DirectX 7a software development kit(a big plus, because it takes forever to download the 125 MB file from Microsoft), all of the code and media files for the game that you make using the book, and the text of the book in PDF format. Dr. Parberry sets up his book much like a class; the concepts are taught in 15 different lessons(chapters), with each lesson building on the previous lessons. He assumes that the reader is self-motivated enough to explore the help files for the DX7 SDK, so he does not include it in the book. He assumes that the reader is a competent C++ programmer (competent, not necessarily an expert). He explains new concepts clearly as the reader goes along in each chapter. Dr. Parberry himself is very accessible--I ran into a problem, and sent him an e-mail asking for help. I received an excellent response from him within 24 hours. Be sure to read the preface--it helps you understand his angle on computer game programming. Thank you, Dr. Parberry.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much of HIS game...
Review: At first when I saw this book I thought it would be great for learning the basics of 2D game programming because it said it was based on his "2D Side Scroller" Ned's Turkey Farm. So I thought there would be helpful lessons on any 2D game and then show how he implemented it in his 2D games. Well, first of all of the lessons are specifically for his game Ned's Turkey Farm, and the game isn't even much of a a 2D side scroller. Also the way the code is written is ... well just plain bad. He doesn't really cover much about the Win32 API and what he does cover is bad. He uses simplified techniques that gets the job done when a reader copies, but doesn't tell how to use it so they can go off and make something different. All in all, buy this book if you want to learn how to make this game, check it out or browse through it if you want to learn a few things. Chances are if you are a newbie you wont learn from this, if you are a bit experienced this book will seem sloppy and too basic.
Rating:
Summary: Too much of HIS game...
Review: At first when I saw this book I thought it would be great for learning the basics of 2D game programming because it said it was based on his "2D Side Scroller" Ned's Turkey Farm. So I thought there would be helpful lessons on any 2D game and then show how he implemented it in his 2D games. Well, first of all of the lessons are specifically for his game Ned's Turkey Farm, and the game isn't even much of a a 2D side scroller. Also the way the code is written is ... well just plain bad. He doesn't really cover much about the Win32 API and what he does cover is bad. He uses simplified techniques that gets the job done when a reader copies, but doesn't tell how to use it so they can go off and make something different. All in all, buy this book if you want to learn how to make this game, check it out or browse through it if you want to learn a few things. Chances are if you are a newbie you wont learn from this, if you are a bit experienced this book will seem sloppy and too basic.
Rating: 
Summary: Worse as it goes on
Review: At first, the book seemed great. It went through very basic steps to creating an animation. I found myself creating a few of my own animations, and was quite content. However, as I read on, the book introduced new concepts required for the game, but didn't explain HOW or WHY they worked. All of the code is poorly commented (not in number, but in comprehensive value), and the text is merely all of the comment lines jammed together. The book will give you a new line of code, and it will comment something like "sets up buffer", but you will find about 6 other comment lines with the exact same text. You can't really tell what does what! So, even though I can sort of understand how his game works, I have no idea how to truly make my own (independent from his), which was the goal of my buying and reading the book. Therefore, I consider the book a loss, as well as the 2 months I tried to understand what was going on. The three stars I gave the book may look OK (as the book looks OK), but the truth is, 3 stars is 60%, and that's failing (as I would fail any DirectX course with only the knowledge I gained from this book). Also, DirectX is written in C++, so if you don't have a strong foundation in C++, you need to learn it FIRST. You'll never be able to plow through DirectX code if you don't understand the C++. If you want to understand what game code looks like, buy this book. If you want to MAKE a game, look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Worse as it goes on
Review: At first, the book seemed great. It went through very basic steps to creating an animation. I found myself creating a few of my own animations, and was quite content. However, as I read on, the book introduced new concepts required for the game, but didn't explain HOW or WHY they worked. All of the code is poorly commented (not in number, but in comprehensive value), and the text is merely all of the comment lines jammed together. The book will give you a new line of code, and it will comment something like "sets up buffer", but you will find about 6 other comment lines with the exact same text. You can't really tell what does what! So, even though I can sort of understand how his game works, I have no idea how to truly make my own (independent from his), which was the goal of my buying and reading the book. Therefore, I consider the book a loss, as well as the 2 months I tried to understand what was going on. The three stars I gave the book may look OK (as the book looks OK), but the truth is, 3 stars is 60%, and that's failing (as I would fail any DirectX course with only the knowledge I gained from this book). Also, DirectX is written in C++, so if you don't have a strong foundation in C++, you need to learn it FIRST. You'll never be able to plow through DirectX code if you don't understand the C++. If you want to understand what game code looks like, buy this book. If you want to MAKE a game, look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book, Great Teacher
Review: Dr. Parberry is a down-to-earth guy. This is why his book and teaching is very good. I can see, by the content of SOME OF the negative reviews, why people had so much trouble with this book.
I had the opportunity to take his Game Programming class (both the 2D and 3D classes), and you won't find a better, or simpler explanation of the topics (in class or in his book(s)). You DO have to know C++ to use this book. HELLO!?, game programming is done in C++ people. If you don't know it, learn it first. Dr. Parberry's code is tight, and his explanations are great. Sure, he may not go into great depth in explaining DirectX details, this is why you should buy a DirectX book for this (or download the documentation). He explains the basic, fundamental concepts that are required to make a 2D game, but it's up to you to use those concepts and/or his code to make whatever you want.
Rating:
Summary: Great book, Great Teacher
Review: Dr. Parberry is a down-to-earth guy. This is why his book and teaching is very good. I can see, by the content of SOME OF the negative reviews, why people had so much trouble with this book.
I had the opportunity to take his Game Programming class (both the 2D and 3D classes), and you won't find a better, or simpler explanation of the topics (in class or in his book(s)). You DO have to know C++ to use this book. HELLO!?, game programming is done in C++ people. If you don't know it, learn it first. Dr. Parberry's code is tight, and his explanations are great. Sure, he may not go into great depth in explaining DirectX details, this is why you should buy a DirectX book for this (or download the documentation). He explains the basic, fundamental concepts that are required to make a 2D game, but it's up to you to use those concepts and/or his code to make whatever you want.
Rating:
Summary: The perfect book for a beginner!
Review: Dr. Parberry is a teacher and nothing is more clearly evident when reading this book. Every concept is explained how and why and what is and is not inside the scope of this book. This isn't for advanced game programmers. If you want a C++ object oriented apporoach to writing games, this is a great start. Dr. Parberry separates the book into distinct chapters with each chapter building on the last to create a simple side-scrolling 2D game. The game isn't great... it isn't even good. The purpose, however, is to demonstrate technique, which is done very well. If you are looking for a book that doesn't overwhelm and explains why, then this is the book for you. Make sure you have a good working understanding of C++ and a desire to write a game.
Rating:
Summary: Great book for those who are new to the field.
Review: For those of you who are thinking about buying this book-- if you have had no previous experience in game programming but do have a firm grip on C++ programming(inheritance, classes, and other such things are important), this is definitley the book for you. People who have experience in game programming, I'd suggest you look for another book. If you have no programming I'd suggest you get a book on C++ programng and study it first. They are important. Keep in mind, the game you create won't be spectacular, but it will be a start. I suggest you do what I did, and use the book as a guide, and create a different game with it. I created an overhead space shooter game with a radar, shielding and everything. Like he said in the intro. If you don't have the gumption to play with the code or the help file, then you don't have what it takes to be a computer game programmer.
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