Hi all, I found this book on Amazon and ordered it. This is aimed for a C++ developer Interested in developing cross-platform games for Windows, Mac, Linux, Play Station, XBox, etc and looks like a pretty good introduction on avoiding pitfalls in cross-platform game production. So far I just browsed through the first chapter and I've encountered most of the pitfalls he has mentioned first-hand. Yes, make no mistake about it trying to design a game that will run on multiple platforms is tough, but this guy seams to know how to cut right through the minutia and get down to brass tacks. Here is the Description of the book.
Cross-Platform Game Programming (Game Development) by Steven Goodwin Product Description With many of today’s games being released simultaneously on all platforms, the need for a good cross-platform development strategy is essential. Cross-Platform Game Programming covers this rarely discussed area and provides the techniques needed to develop your games effectively. It explains the plethora of problems that exist within every cross-platform game, and gives you the understanding and ability needed to solve them. It also teaches you how to write code that behaves identically on all machines. In addition, the book explains why standard libraries are not standard enough, and covers the nuances between compilers, debuggers, and operating systems. Throughout the book, how-to guidelines are provided for using the same code to handle different hardware specifications without change for ported games, or those being build to work cross-platform from the ground up. It helps senior and lead programmers determine where the platform-specific features should start and end, and provides methods for achieving this. It also includes support for those using middleware by demonstrating how to write code that will run identically on different machines, despite the platform making use of the same APIs. Because this book teaches the methods, not the API, it scales well for future platforms and empowers you to create your own designs. • BuildTools – Jam, the cross-platform build tool covered in Chapter 11 as an alternative to Makefiles • Graphics – OpenGL, GLUT, and Microsoft DirectX SDK • Utility Libraries – STLport, Boost, POSIX threads for Windows, and PLib • Scripting – Lua, source for the Lua interpreter and Lua compiler, and the basic Lua core required by both System Requirements IBM PC or 100% compatible, 128MB RAM (256MB recommended), 100MB of available hard-disk space (500MB additional space is required for the full DirectX SDK), and a copy of Microsoft Visual C++ version 6 or above. An Intel Pentium 90 Processor is required, although Pentium II or higher is recommended for the majority of the code. A Pentium III, 1 GHz is recommended for the DirectX SDK. Windows 98 SE or later is required with a VGA or higher-resolution monitor (Super VGA recommended). The DirectX SDK requires a DX9-compatible graphics card with suitable drivers and OpenGL. About the Author Steven Goodwin has been in the games industry for over 10 years, progressing from Windows programmer to lead and management roles on console platforms such as the PS2, GameCube, and Xbox. During this time, he was responsible for five titles, including the #1 selling Die Hard: Vendetta, which appeared on all three of the above platforms. He has also written over 30 articles in major publications, including the UK games development industry trade magazine, Develop. Product Details Paperback: 460 pages Publisher: Charles River Media; 1 edition (March 2005) Language: English ISBN-10: 1584503793 ISBN-13: 978-1584503798 http://www.amazon.com/Cross-Platform-Game-Programming-Development/dp/1584503793 Enjoy! --- Gamers mailing list __ [email protected] If you want to leave the list, send E-mail to [email protected]. You can make changes or update your subscription via the web, at http://audyssey.org/mailman/listinfo/gamers_audyssey.org. All messages are archived and can be searched and read at http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the management of the list, please send E-mail to [email protected].
