The comprehensive, authoritative guide to the Halo universe, written in collaboration with the developers, 343 Studios.This book incorporates the entirety of the Halo canon, including the games, books and comics, film and television. For the first time ever, the timeline of the Halo universe is available in one place, charting humanity’s battles against alien forces of the Covenant, Forerunners and the Flood. The book is filled with amazing illustrations by a variety of famous illustrators, including Jean-Sébastien Rossbach, Leonid Kozienko, Benjamin Carré, Isaac Hannaford and 343’s internal art team too.Also Available: The Art of Halo 5: Guardians Read more

🧩 Picture Puzzles Spot the Differences 🕵️♂️Challenge your observation skills with the ""Picture Puzzles Spot the Differences"" book. This captivating collection engages you in uncovering subtle distinctions between seemingly identical images, providing hours of interactive entertainment.🕵️♂️ Detective's Adventure: Embark on a puzzling journey where your detective instincts are put to the test. Each page presents pairs of images, and your task is to identify and mark the hidden differences that set them apart.🧩 Seek and Discover: From intricate scenes to playful illustrations, this book offers a range of puzzles that challenge your attention to detail, inviting you to explore and solve each visual puzzle.🕵️♂️ Suitable for All Ages: Whether you're a keen observer or simply enjoy brain-teasing activities, this book provides challenges suitable for various age groups and skill levels.🎁 A Gift of Puzzle Fun: Share the joy of puzzle-solving with friends or family. The ""Picture Puzzles Spot the Differences"" book is a thoughtful gift that stimulates the mind and offers a sense of accomplishment.With each difference you discover, you're enhancing your visual perception abilities and immersing yourself in the excitement of solving an engaging puzzle.🕵️♂️ Uncover the Intrigue! Immerse yourself in the world of picture puzzles and let your detective skills shine. Allow the ""Picture Puzzles Spot the Differences"" book to be your gateway to hours of captivating fun and a boost to your attention to detail. 🧩🕵️♂️ Read more

‘Superb coffee table book’ – Nintendo Life‘A fun read’ – Retro Gamer Take a trip down memory lane with Retro Gaming, and relive the glory days (and not so glory days) of your old retro tech favourites.Published in paperback to tie-in with 50 years of console gaming, Retro Gaming is packed with all the characters, games, consoles and franchises you used to love – and probably still do. This is a compact, conversational compendium of all-time highs – alongside just a handful of humorous (in hindsight) lows – from decades of arcade, computer, console and handheld hits.From Atari’s early arcade classics and home games consoles of the 1970s, through to classics that keep on giving, such as Halo and Tomb Raider, this book summarizes the significant releases, research and revolutions that have made video games a £100 billion (and rising) industry.Evergreen favourites from Nintendo, SEGA and Sony are present and correct – no collection would be complete without entries for Mario and Sonic, Tetris and Crash Bandicoot. But we also give credit to the less-celebrated but utterly vital titles, characters, controllers and systems that have helped the world of gaming expand and evolve.A guide, a companion and a window onto a joyous past, Retro Gaming is a perfect book to dip in and out of, as mood and your current gaming habits dictate. Read more

Explore the world of Genshin Impact in this stunning keepsake showcasing hundreds of illustrations.Genshin Impact is a free-to-play open-world adventure RPG that brings players to the visually stunning world of Teyvat. Take on the role of the mysterious "Traveler," who sets off on a journey to discover the fate of their lost sibling and unveils unique cultures, stories, and vast surrounding landscapes, as well as the mysterious secrets of Teyvat along the way.Genshin Impact: The Official Art Book Vol. 2 features beautiful artwork that celebrates moments, characters, and storylines from Version 2 to Version 2.8 of the hugely successful game. Packed full of character designs, promotional art, character trailer art, and commemorative illustrations, this book is perfect for Genshin Impact fans. Read more

Games Workshop, Warhammer, White Dwarf, Citadel Miniatures and Fighting Fantasy are names which trigger powerful memories for millions of people around the world. The cultural impact of Games Workshop and Fighting Fantasy has been remarkable. But how did it all begin?  Since starting out in 1975 as a part-time mail-order business in a modest third-floor flat in West London, Games Workshop has grown from its humble beginnings to become a FTSE 250 company listed on the London Stock Exchange. From distributing Dungeons & Dragons, to living in the back of a van, to opening Games Workshop stores, to creating Fighting Fantasy, to launching Warhammer, co-founders Ian Livingstone and Steve Jackson tell their remarkable story for the first time.  Dice Men is the fascinating, never-before-told story of an iconic company which changed the world of tabletop gaming for ever. It\'s an insight into the rollercoaster first year of Games Workshop and the birth of the industry. Read more

The Art of Destiny 2, the follow-up to the successful The Art of Destiny, is a celebration of the dynamic art and visual style that fans have come to love about Destiny. The world of Destiny is expansive and vibrant, encompassing planets within our solar system and those far beyond. Praised for its artistic style and imaginative worlds that paint a complex future of war, exploration, and hope, Destiny is packed with life and colour. Customisable characters make every gaming experience visually unique, with the heroes and villains of Destiny crafted from worlds of science fiction past, yet brimming with their own style. The Art of Destiny 2 features hundreds of pieces of concept art, from early sketches and illustrations of characters to the colourful key art the designers used to help shape the in-game worlds. Each step of the process is meticulously detailed, from building in-game cinematics to crafting the complex universe. This book celebrates the exceptional attention to detail that the developers at Bungie have put into Destiny 2, and continues the high production quality that made The Art of Destiny a best-selling gaming art book. With exclusive, never-before-seen imagery, developer commentary, and more, The Art of Destiny 2 is the perfect gift for fans of The Art of Destiny, and those seeking the companion book to one of the most anticipated game releases of 2017. Read more

Resources designed to support learners of the new next generation BTEC First in Information Technology specification*. Covers all three mandatory units and a wide selection of optional units. Each unit of the Student Book is presented in topics to ensure the content is accessible and engaging for learners. Covers of all the underpinning knowledge and understanding needed at level 2 to ensure that learners are fully prepared for this course. Activities in each unit provide support and clear direction for learners and can be used in the classroom or for independent work. New Assessment Zone guides learners through both internal and external assessment. Practice assignments and assessment guidance help learners to achieve their potential in internally assessed units. * From 2012, Pearson’s BTEC First qualifications have been under re-development, so schools and colleges could be teaching the existing 2010 specification or the new next generation 2012-2013 specification. There are different Student Books to support each specification. If learners are unsure, they should check with their teacher or tutor. Read more

Delve into the world of Genshin Impact in this beautiful memento showcasing hundreds of illustrations.Genshin Impact is a free-to-play open-world adventure RPG that brings players to the visually stunning world of Teyvat. Take on the role of the mysterious "Traveler," who sets off on a journey to discover the fate of their lost sibling and unveils unique cultures, stories, and vast surrounding landscapes, as well as the mysterious secrets of Teyvat along the way.Genshin Impact: The Official Art Book Vol. 1 comes presented in a deluxe slipcase and features gorgeous artwork that celebrates moments, characters, and storylines from up to Version 1.6 of the hugely successful game. Packed full of character designs, promotional art, character trailer art, and commemorative illustrations, this book is perfect for any Genshin Impact fan. Read more

Uncover the history of one of the most influential video games of all time in The World of Minecraft. Explore how the critically acclaimed game evolved from a one-person project in 2009 to the global gaming phenomenon it is today.The World of Minecraft is the definitive account of the game’s history, combining exclusive interviews from the Mojang studio and recollections from long-standing members of the gaming community. Read the stories behind the growth of community-defining servers like Hypixel, mods like Feed The Beast, and YouTube channels like The Yogscast, plus a personal account from Lydia Winters on the creation of Alex, the impact of Minecraft charity Block by Block, the origin of the phantom, and many more insights.This must-have collector’s item includes a foreword and afterword from chief creative officer Jens “Jeb” Bergensten and vanilla Minecraft game director Agnes Larsson, plus original concept art, beautifully detailed renders, and previously unseen archive materials that illustrate how the game has developed over its first fifteen years. Journey back into past eras of the game and look to the future in this comprehensive chronicle of Minecraft’s story.To celebrate the game’s momentous anniversary, this special numbered edition of The World of Minecraft is packaged in a unique slipcase and reversible sleeve. The book features an exclusive cover design, and includes three signed art prints created by illustrator Doug John Miller, Minecraft manga artist Kazuyoshi Seto, and Mojang art director Markus “Junkboy” Toivonen, showcased within a deluxe art case. Read more

Are You Ready to create your own epic games? This book is your ultimate ticket to mastering Unity Game Development.- Purchase of the print or Kindle book includes a free eBook in the PDF format.- Newly Edited and Updated Version (Third Edition) for Unity 2022+.- July 2023 Update: All chapters and assets are fully compatible with Unity 2022+ and a new chapter on Game Design has been added.- December 2023 Update: Updated Chapter on Game Design + New Bonus Chapter on more UI and animation.Master Unity Faster Are you ready to turn your gaming passion into reality? This book is your ultimate guide to mastering Unity game development. No prior experience needed! Dive into the exciting world of Unity and learn step-by-step how to design captivating 2D and 3D environments, program engaging gameplay mechanics, and create stunning visual effects. Imagine building your dream games and impressing friends and potential employers with your skills. This book series equips you with the essential knowledge and hands-on practice to become a confident Unity developer. Don't miss out on this opportunity! Join the thriving game development community and bring your imagination to life. Grab your copy of this book now and embark on your journey to becoming a pro Unity developer!What you will learn After completing this book, you will be able to:Understand and apply C# concepts (variables, functions, etc).Create a 3D adventure game.Create a user interface (text and images).Add intelligent NPCs that chase the player.Create a 2D word-guessing game and an infinite runner.Load new scenes in your games.Apply Game Design.Animate 3D objects.Create a CCTV Camera.Master Unity and Programming for AllBeginners in Game Development: You will get started in game development and build a strong foundation in Unity with a step-by-step approach, teaching you the fundamentals and empowering you to confidently create your games.Aspiring Game Designers: You will translate your creative ideas into playable games, design captivating 2D and 3D environments, and program engaging and immersive gameplay mechanics and experiencesIndie Game Developers: You will enhance your skills, with this book series that will help you with advanced Unity features, optimization techniques, and industry best practices.Students and Educators: You will find a comprehensive resource to learn and teach Unity.Career Switchers: You will be able to transition into the game development industry easily, and also acquire the necessary skills, knowledge, and portfolio-building guidance.Topics Included in this bookIntroduction to C#.Coding your first script in C#.Improving your scripting skills.Creating a scoring system and an inventory system.Detecting collisions and loading new levels.Creating and updating a user interface with user messages, the score, the items collected, a health bar, and a mini-map.Adding sound effects and background music.Adding intelligent Non-Player Characters (NPCs) that chase the player.Creating a 2D word-guessing game and a 2D infinite runner.Game Design concepts to make your game more entertaining.Creating a user interface (buttons, health bar, personalized fonts, etc.).Animating doors or cameras using C#.Creating a character controller from scratch.Unleash Your Game Development Potential Today This book stands out with its beginner-friendly approach, step-by-step tutorials, and practical examples, ensuring you become a skilled Unity developer faster than ever.So, unlock your game development potential! Buy this book now and start creating your dream games today. Read more

Uncover the history of one of the most influential video games of all time in The World of Minecraft. Explore how the critically acclaimed game evolved from a one-person project in 2009 to the global gaming phenomenon it is today.The World of Minecraft is the definitive account of the game’s history, combining exclusive interviews from the Mojang studio and recollections from long-standing members of the gaming community. Read the stories behind the growth of community-defining servers like Hypixel, mods like Feed The Beast, and YouTube channels like The Yogscast, plus a personal account from Lydia Winters on the creation of Alex, the impact of Minecraft charity Block by Block, the origin of the phantom, and many more insights.This must-have collector’s item includes a foreword and afterword from chief creative officer Jens “Jeb” Bergensten and vanilla Minecraft game director Agnes Larsson, plus original concept art, beautifully detailed renders, and previously unseen archive materials that illustrate how the game has developed over its first fifteen years. Journey back into past eras of the game and look to the future in this comprehensive chronicle of Minecraft’s story. Read more

Bungie presents the Destiny Grimoire Anthology, a must-have collectible lore compendium designed and assembled for Destiny’s devoted and enlightened scholars and lore lovers, as well as fans of fantasy and science fiction storytelling. Until now, the myths, mysteries, and machinations of the Destiny universe were found hidden throughout the worlds—enticing threads that hinted at a greater tapestry. The Destiny Grimoire Anthology weaves tales from multiple sources together for the first time, casting new light on Destiny’s most legendary heroes, infamous villains, and their greatest moments of triumph and tragedy. This volume illuminates a facet of the world of Destiny, and challenges players’ thoughts and assumptions on what it means to be a Guardian, offering new and differing perspectives on the cosmic war that rages between the Traveler and its ancient enemies. Read more

"A must-read for anyone working in game analytics." - Eric Seufert“Truly one of the most useful things I have ever read about game development.” - Sergei Belkov, iLogos Game StudioMobile games are big business, and the landscape is more competitive than ever. With an in-depth focus on the core areas of user retention and predicting customer lifetime value, Game Analytics contains the hands-on SQL queries, R scripts, statistical theory, full-colour Tableau visualizations, and insider tips and tricks you need to succeed as a data analyst, product manager, or user acquisition manager in free-to-play games.Game Analytics describes in detail how successful game studios make money, collect and query player data, define key performance indicators (KPIs), build dashboards and predictive models of retention and monetization, measure and predict return on ad spend (ROAS), and use statistics to analyze A/B tests designed to improve retention and monetization.By the end of this book, the reader will understand:The business of mobile games: how they monetize, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) should be measured (and why);How SQL is used to query, clean, and prepare mobile game data for analysis;How to predict customer lifetime value using both retention and monetization curves;The relationship between classical statistics and A/B testing, and how A/B test are used to improve mobile games;ROAS and D7 ROAS targets; and,Why spending money on user acquisition also results in more organic installs.And the reader will be able to:Conduct an A/B test and evaluate the results for statistical significance using SQL or R;Use regression in Tableau to fit retention and spending curves to historical data, and use these curves to predict various KPIs for new players;Model and predict churn with a Markov chain;Build KPI dashboards that are relevant to the mobile games industry;Build diagnostic dashboards to reveal problems with the tutorial;Use the Big Mac Index to optimize pricing in countries around the world; and,Predict LTV and ROAS from early signals. Read more

'A labour of undiluted love and enthusiasm' Daily Telegraph As Daniel Hardcastle careers towards thirty, he looks back on what has really made him happy in life: the friends, the romances... the video games. Told through encounters with the most remarkable - and the most mind-boggling - games of the last thirty-odd years, Fuck Yeah, Video Games is also a love letter to the greatest hobby in the world. From God of War to Tomb Raider, Pokemon to The Sims, Daniel relives each game with countless in-jokes, obscure references and his signature wit, as well as intricate, original illustrations by Rebecca Maughan. Alongside this march of merriment are chapters dedicated to the hardware behind the games: a veritable history of Sony, Nintendo, Sega and Atari consoles. Joyous, absurd, personal and at times sweary, Daniel's memoir is a celebration of the sheer brilliance of video games. Read more

Billions of you have watched their videos and millions of you have followed them on social media.So here we go; it's time to back up because YouTube superstars, The Sidemen, are finally here in book form and they're dishing the dirt on each other as well as the YouTube universe. There's nowhere to hide as KSI, Miniminter, Behzinga, Zerkaa,Vikkstar123, Wroetoshaw and Tobjizzle go in hard on their living habits, their football ability, and their dodgy clobber, while also talking Fifa, Vegas and superheroes. They'll also give you their grand house tour, letting you in on a few secrets, before showing you their hall of fame, as well as revealing some of their greatest shames.Along the way you'll learn how seven of the world's biggest YouTube stars started off with nothing more than a computer console, a PC and a bad haircut before joining forces to crush the internet. And they'll tell you just how they did it (because they're nice like that) with their ultimate guide to YouTube while also sharing their memories of recording their favourite videos as well as a typical day in the life of The Sidemen.You'll feel like you're with them every step of the way, smelling the 'sweet' aroma of the boys' favourite dishes in the kitchen, stamping your passport as you follow them on their trips around the world and kicking every ball as the boys gear up for the biggest football match of their lives. It's going to get personal. It's going to get intense, and JJ is going to have lots of tantrums, so take a moment to prepare yourself, because this is The Sidemen book you've been waiting for! Read more

Learn and Leverage the Power of Unity to Create Amazing Video Games!Key Features● Discover everything to learn about Game Design, processes, and Unity's 2D and 3D engines.● Less complicated step-by-step tutorials on building gameplay systems and improving their performance.● Dedicated help and support for developing prototypes, releasing games, and sharpening the user experience.DescriptionThe Unity Engine has been steadily evolving over the past few years into one of the most powerful resources for the game development community. Its feature-rich toolkit and user-friendliness make it an ideal foundation for budding game developers.The book ‘Mastering Game Design with Unity 2021’ will walk you through creating a multimedia game from scratch, covering everything from the basics of game development to advanced design concepts. The book will help you to learn the ins and outs of scenes, game objects, input systems, physics, particles, and post-processing effects, and even get access to instructions to put your newfound skills to use. In addition, this book will help you to learn the fundamentals of game logic design, interactive narratives, game mechanics, storyboarding, and design structure in an easy-to-understand format from a coaching game expert.Whether you're brand new to the gaming industry or a seasoned developer looking to strengthen your Unity skills, this book will provide everything you need to know to design stunning 3D games, animations, 3D content, and virtual reality/augmented reality experiences in Unity 3D.What you will learn● Use the Unity Game Editor and Assets to design and build 3D animations and games.● Understand important game design concepts across a variety of genres.● Take advantage of Unity's pre-built UI, rendering, physics, and graphics systems.● Create custom gameplay systems and elements using C# scripting.● Figure out how to make an already existing prototype appear even better.Who this book is forThis book is for aspiring game designers, animators, and professional graphic creators who wish to create games with spectacular 3D visuals and high-quality animation effects. Readers can go through the fundamentals of game design and then learn how to use them in Unity to make their own custom video game from scratch.Table of Contents1. The Unity Engine2. Components and Prefabs3. The Basics of Combat4. Getting to Know UI5. Mastering the Fundamentals6. The Physics of Fun7. The Joy of Animation8. The Mind of the Enemy9. Forging Your Weapon System10. All About Audio11. A Graphical Upgrade12. So Many Particles13. Mastering Player Progression14. UX15. 2D vs. 3D16. Mastering the Genres17. Platforms and Publishing18. From Concept to Completion Read more

Dive headfirst into the heart-pounding world of ARK: Survival Ascended with our complete guide. Whether you're a greenhorn survivor or a seasoned veteran, this guide is your compass to mastering the art of survival.What Awaits You Inside:Unearth the secrets of taming colossal dinosaurs, constructing impenetrable structures, and crafting weapons that'll make any predator think twice. No stone is left unturned as we guide you through resource farming and every nuance of ARK mastery.Thrilling Strategies for Every Survivor:Packed with tips hotter than molten lava, our guide ensures you not only survive but thrive. Learn the delicate dance of establishing a powerhouse base, skyrocketing through levels, and conquering the ominous caves that hide untold treasures.Master the Beasts:Taming dinosaurs is an art, and we've crafted the perfect masterpiece. From swift Raptors to towering Titans, our guide unveils the secrets to commanding the most powerful creatures on the island. Become the apex predator with our expert strategies.Transform into the Ultimate Survivor:From the basics to advanced gameplay, this guide elevates you to the zenith of survival prowess. Unleash your potential, defeat lurking enemies, and emerge as the undisputed master of the island.And Much More!Why Choose Our Guide?Crafted by an avid gamer, this guide is more than a manual; it's your key to unraveling the mysteries of ARK. Engaging, informative, and loaded with game-changing strategies, it's the companion you need to turn your quest into an epic adventure.Gear Up, Level Up, Conquer - Your Journey Begins NOW!Grab Your Copy Now!!! Read more

The culmination of several years of research by games writer Matt Leone, Like a Hurricane gathers together over 60 voices, spread across continents, disciplines and companies, speaking candidly on the vision, fearlessness, and bold ambition that made Street Fighter II a household name. A collaboration between Read-Only Memory and Polygon, Like a Hurricane is an extended and enhanced print adaptation of Matt Leone’s series of in-depth oral histories, published online in serial form by Polygon. This physical version has been extended and enhanced for print, featuring over 50 specially commissioned illustrations and extra research content. Featuring: Takashi ‘Piston’ Nishiyama, Hiroshi ‘Finish’ Matsumoto, Noritaka ‘Poo’ Funamizu, Yoko ‘Shimo-P’ Shimomura, and more than 50 others, including dozens of former Capcom employees, former Gamest magazine editor Zenji Ishii, combo video pioneer Tomotaka ‘TZW’ Suzuki, U.S. Street Fighter box artist Mick McGinty, Incredible Technologies CEO Elaine Hodgson, and former Capcom USA CEO Bill Gardner. Read more

An engaging examination of how video game design can create strong, positive emotional experiences for players, with examples from popular, indie, and art games. Read more