Visual Basic Game Programming for Windows

Just because you're serious about programming for the Windows operating
system doesn't mean you can't have some fun! That's why aspiring and
experienced programmers alike will love the unique combination of
instruction and entertainment found in the brand-new, hands-on game
programming techniques course from Microsoft Press called VISUAL
BASIC--GAME PROGRAMMING FOR WINDOWS.

Game programming for the Microsoft Windows operating system involves some
of programming's more difficult challenges. With this one-of-a-kind
book-and-software package by Michael J. Young, developing games can be
almost as much fun as playing them. The book is packed with solid advice
on using animation, controlling sound, and generating fractals. The author
devotes each chapter to one game--a brief history, how it's played, how
it's coded, and suggestions for customizing--and illustrates the specific
programming techniques employed.

You can choose to explore the fundamentals of game design and game
programming, or you can jump right in and play the twelve ready-to-run
Windows games that show Visual Basic programming in action. Each game on
the accompanying disk comes complete with playing instructions, source
code, and online help. The games are organized by category, in increasing
levels of complexity.

* Puzzles introduces basic techniques for creating device-independent game
graphics, several methods for moving playing pieces with the mouse,
random-number generation, and fractal generation. Games include Peg
Solitaire, Word Squares, Queens, and Fractal Puzzle.

* Strategic Board Games such as Tic Tac Toe, Ludo, and Ringo demonstrate
how to roll dice, play against the computer, calculate optimal game moves,
and hit-test within nonrectangular areas.

* Action and Gambling Games incorporate advanced animation techniques such
as how to move objects in response to timer events, plot complex paths for
objects to follow, combine sound with animation, and keep score. TriPack,
Grid War, and Boule demonstrate these techniques.

For easy reference, the Appendix contains an alphabetic listing of all the
Windows-based Application Programming Interface (API) functions that
appear in the book and provides detailed information on their use. A
comprehensive index helps readers locate information on any topic in the
book.

System requirements for running the games and the fractals included with
VISUAL BASIC--GAME PROGRAMMING FOR WINDOWS are an 80286 or higher
microprocessor, 1MB of memory, the Microsoft Windows operating system
version 3.0 or later, and a Microsoft Mouse or a compatible pointing
device. One 1.2-MB 5.25-inch disk is bound into the inside back cover.
Ordering information for 3.5-inch disks is included

System Requirements for programming Visual Basic games and fractals include
the above plus the Microsoft Visual Basic programming system version 1.0
or later. The Microsoft Help Compiler for Windows is recommended for
creating online help.

Michael J. Young is the author of several books on the use and programming
of computers. He has developed the shareware application for Windows
Envelopes & Labels as well as other applications for Microsoft Windows. He
is a graduate of Stanford University and currently lives and works in Mill
Valley, California.

Microsoft Press is the book division of Microsoft Corporation and the
leading publisher of quality computer books about Microsoft products. More
than 10 million users of all skill levels rely on a complete line of
Microsoft Press books for training, reference, and on-the-job software
support. Tides ranging from streamlined tutorials for first-time computer
users to technical references for professional programmers are distributed
to book and software retailers worldwide. Consumers in the United States
can also order directly from the publisher at 1-800-MSPRESS.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of
products and services for business and personal use, each designed with
the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take
advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft Press, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399
206-882-8080

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