Author Topic: SGDK2 Book Being Published  (Read 6875 times)

bluemonkmn

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SGDK2 Book Being Published
« on: 2015-08-24, 04:42:00 PM »
The first book covering SGDK2 is about to be published with the title of Building Games with Scrolling Game Development Kit 2.
The book isn't quite final yet, but you can get a preview of some significant subset of the content at https://www.createspace.com/Preview/1175307 and provide feedback.

Vincent

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Re: SGDK2 Book Being Published
« Reply #1 on: 2015-09-20, 05:44:06 PM »
Wow!  I downloaded the pdf and went through it very fast.  I think this book is an incredible tool, it would have been so useful to make Lok: Revival.  I like the fact that you give examples of very specific but common game features: it's pure gold.  Unfortunately, I don't have time to read all of it right now, so I can't provide very specific feedback.  By the way, thanks a lot for mentioning my game. :)
Legacy of Kain: Revival completed!
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bluemonkmn

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Re: SGDK2 Book Being Published
« Reply #2 on: 2015-09-21, 06:56:30 AM »
I'm very glad your game exists! It made a great example in the book of how sophisticated SGDK2 games can be. LOK Revival still stands as the one most spectacular example of what can be accomplished with SGDK2.

I had to switch publishers because CreateSpace apparently cannot print most shades of green so all the green gradients look flat! Hopefully IngramSpark will give me better results. I'm hoping to formally release the book on October 16th.

Edit: http://lokrevival.webs.com/ (and, in fact, all of webs.com) seems inaccessible from here this morning. Is it still available? Hopefully it's just a temporary or internal DNS problem here. When I add this to my system32\drivers\etc\hosts file, the site loads fine:

Code: [Select]
75.98.17.65    lokrevival.webs.com
« Last Edit: 2015-09-21, 07:22:18 AM by bluemonkmn »

Vincent

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Re: SGDK2 Book Being Published
« Reply #3 on: 2015-09-21, 05:56:33 PM »
Hum, I guess the site was down for maintenance.  I have no problem reaching it right now (8:00 PM eastern time zone).  Do you have an idea of how much the book will be sold?  I definitely want a copy. :)
Legacy of Kain: Revival completed!
http://lokrevival.webs.com

See also my company website:
http://chivalrousgames.com

bluemonkmn

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Re: SGDK2 Book Being Published
« Reply #4 on: 2015-09-23, 06:40:19 AM »
That's a good topic for discussion. Right now I have the price set at $48. I'm concerned that it might seem to high to some people. But it's nothing compared to the price of some college textbooks. Of course this is no college textbook. I initially set the price close to $50 because when I set up the book on CreateSpace, a 260-page book with full color and extended distribution (book stores; international availability, etc) could not have a price less than that (somewhere in that range; I can't remember exactly what the price was). I decided to keep the price similar when setting up the book at IngramSpark in case I decided to allow the book to be distributed from both publishers. How does $48 strike you? I can probably get a special price/discount code for some people, but if you didn't know me and had to pay that price, how would you feel about $48?

Vincent

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Re: SGDK2 Book Being Published
« Reply #5 on: 2015-09-24, 06:46:27 AM »
Well, I'm definitely no expert on the subject.  I think it depends who you are targeting with the book.

For someone who already played a bit with SGDK2 and wants to push to the next level or wants to implement some of the features you explain in the book, I think that 48$ is a totally acceptable price.

For complete newcomers who want to get started on SGDK2, I have the feeling 48$ is a bit much.  All the way up to 30$, I would have no problem paying that much to try something out.  Over than that, it seems to me that it may make the book a little less accessible.

Of course there is the fact that it's 260 pages with color and like I said, it's pure gold when you want to develop the features described in the book, which are common and very useful.

But, like I said, I have no idea what I talking about...  This is purely based on feeling, so I wouldn't put to much credit in that.
I'm aware that going from 48$ to 30$ is quite a price drop, it might not even be possible.

Personally, I'm also taking into account the exchange rate.  From USD to CAN, it raises the price quite a bit these times.  It used to be a 1-to-1 exchange, but since the oil price drop the CAN dropped quite a bit.  Today, the CAN stands at 1.34$ for 1 USD.  Which means I would pay 65$ for a 48$ book, which is a little painful.  But it's not a factor in the US of course...
« Last Edit: 2015-09-24, 06:51:47 AM by Vincent »
Legacy of Kain: Revival completed!
http://lokrevival.webs.com

See also my company website:
http://chivalrousgames.com

bluemonkmn

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Re: SGDK2 Book Being Published
« Reply #6 on: 2015-10-08, 07:54:05 PM »
The book is available through retailers now. Amazon has it listed at retail price. Looks like there's another that has it listed at a discounted price via Amazon. There are also other retailers listing it for rental or purchase at discounted prices. You might do better with your own searches on ISBN number 9781516825424. I can order a copy shipped to my address for about $15. If you send me a private message with your address I can tell you how much that would cost, and, if you like, order you a copy. SGDK2 fans on the forum could pay be back with PayPal or Bitcoin. For you, Vincent, I'll pay for your copy since you've made such a great contribution to the community and to the book! If you want multiple copies, let me know, and you can pay me back for the extras at the discounted rate I get from IngramSpark.
« Last Edit: 2015-10-09, 06:30:34 AM by bluemonkmn »

Vincent

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Re: SGDK2 Book Being Published
« Reply #7 on: 2015-10-09, 06:26:05 AM »
Wow, that's very generous of you!  I gladly accept.   :D
It looks the hyperlinks in your message are broken.
I will send you a private message.
Legacy of Kain: Revival completed!
http://lokrevival.webs.com

See also my company website:
http://chivalrousgames.com

bluemonkmn

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Re: SGDK2 Book Being Published
« Reply #8 on: 2015-10-09, 06:35:02 AM »
I fixed the links. Let me know if you have trouble with this forums private message feature and need another means of contacting me (I think everyone has access to my email address too). I haven't seen anything yet. Oh, but that's because you only just posted that message 10 minutes ago :).

bluemonkmn

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Re: SGDK2 Book Being Published
« Reply #9 on: 2015-10-17, 05:21:36 AM »
The Kindle edition is now also available at a much lower price of $7. The book will be FREE on Kindle if you order it between October 18 (tomorrow) and 22nd!
« Last Edit: 2015-10-17, 05:34:19 AM by bluemonkmn »