If you enjoyed A Minecraft Movie, you’ll love this book! Can you take on over 30 new challenges and survive?Take on a world of exciting new challenges in Minecraft, from hilarious quick trials, to epic longer missions and everything in between!This brand new series comes with clear instructions, survival prompts and maximum fun. The entertaining illustrations and informative text make this book is the perfect companion for avid gamers who want to make the most of their time in Minecraft.Show you heroic side by beating all the challenges with top marks, or embrace your devious side by building PvP maps for your friends to try and survive!Try our indispensable handbooks for your Minecraft journey:Minecraft Redstone Handbook 978 0008495992Minecraft Survival Handbook 978 0755503452Minecraft Creative Handbook 978 0755500413Minecraft Combat Handbook 978 0755500420Minecraft Explorers Handbook 9780008608507Minecraft Legends Handbook 978 0008595012Brilliant books full of inspiration:Minecraft Bite Size Builds: 978 0755500406Minecraft Amazing Bite Size Builds: 978 0008495954Minecraft Epic Inventions 978 0008496012Minecraft Epic Bases: 978 1405296472Perfect Gifts:Minecraft Mobspotter’s Encyclopedia 978 0008537432Minecraft Maps 978 1405294546Minecraft Blockopedia 978 0755500390Sticker, humour and activity:Minecraft Survival Sticker Book 978 1405288552Minecraft Sticker Adventure Treasure Hunt 978 0755503582Minecraft Sticker Adventure Mobs Attack 978 0008533953Minecraft Joke Book 978 1405295253Minecraft How to Draw 978 0008534028Minecraft Would You Rather 978 0008534028Minecraft Catch the Creeper 978 0755503575 Read more

With a 27% YOY growth rate, Python has had the most growth of any coding language globally and is the most popular coding language; it is the number 1 coding language in the UK (Source: Stack Overflow Data, 2017) Read more

Immerse yourself in 50+ unique designs inspired by iconic gaming moments, perfect for a gamer, ready to color in and doodle any stress away.Grab your favorite coloring tools and let your creativity flow! Relax with a Pac-Man doodle, craft your own epic Boss Fight, design your own Robot Avatar or bring a Tetris masterpiece to life.Take a moment to unwind and ask yourself: Isn’t today the perfect day to color your way to calm?Here’s what this book offers:50+ exclusive illustrations designed to inspire and entertain.Large 8.5" x 8.5" pages that give you plenty of room to create.Single-sided pages to prevent bleed-through and make framing your art easy.A perfect blend of relaxation and art therapy for all skill levels.High-resolution prints for clean, crisp designs that bring your coloring to life.Whether it’s for yourself, a loved one, or your coloring buddy, this book is the ideal gift to spark creativity and find your calm. Read more

Learn how to write code and then build your own website, app and game using HTML, CSS and JavaScript in this essential coding guide for kids from expert organization Young Rewired State.Learn how to write code and then build your own website, app and game using HTML, CSS and JavaScript in this essential guide to coding for kids from expert organization Young Rewired State. Over 6 fun missions learn the basic concepts of coding or computer programming and help Professor Bairstone and Dr Day keep the Monk Diamond safe from dangerous jewel thieves. In bite-size chunks learn important real-life coding skills and become a technology star of the future. Young Rewired State is a global community that aims to get kids coding and turn them into the technology stars of the future. Read more

Are you passionate about video games but feel overwhelmed by the complexities of game development? Whether you’re a gamer, a hobbyist, or an aspiring creator, this book is your gateway into the exciting field of game design—no advanced technical skills required.Designed as a comprehensive yet accessible guide, Game Development Step by Step demystifies the entire process, taking you from initial concept to a polished product ready for release. With practical insights, expert advice, and a focus on clarity, this book empowers you to explore the art, science, and craft of game development.What You’ll Learn:The Foundations of Game Development: Discover the history, roles, and core elements that define successful games.Game Design Principles: Learn to design engaging, balanced, and player-centered experiences.Narrative, Mechanics, and Visuals: Go into storytelling, gameplay systems, and visual artistry.Programming Basics (Without Overwhelm): Explore essential tools and concepts to bring your game to life.Prototyping and Testing: Master the iterative process of refining ideas and gathering feedback.Emerging Trends: Stay ahead with insights on AI, VR/AR, and sustainable practices.Key Features:Step-by-Step Guidance: Each chapter covers a vital aspect of game development, offering actionable advice you can follow at your own pace.Non-Technical Approach: Perfect for beginners, this book focuses on the big picture while introducing technical concepts in an approachable way.Real-World Examples: Learn from iconic games and industry successes to inspire and guide your journey.Comprehensive Coverage: From storyboarding and level design to marketing and post-launch strategies, you’ll gain a holistic understanding of the process.Creative Exploration: Unleash your imagination and discover how to transform ideas into immersive gaming experiences.Who This Book Is For:Aspiring Developers: Start your journey with a solid foundation and clear, practical advice.Gamers: Gain a deeper appreciation for the craft and effort behind your favorite titles.Hobbyists: Expand your skill set and bring your dream game projects to life.Educators and Students: Use this as a resource to introduce the fundamentals of game design in classrooms or workshops. Kids, teenagers, college students, and beyond are welcome.Why You’ll Love This Book:It’s packed with insights from industry practices and trends.It emphasizes creativity and problem-solving at every stage.It celebrates the passion and innovation that drive game development.Whether you’re dreaming of creating the next indie hit or simply curious about what goes on behind the scenes, Game Development Step by Step will inspire you to take the leap and start building your own game today.Sample of Key Topics Game design fundamentalsPlayer-centered designNarrative storytellingGame mechanicsLevel designVisual design and art2D vs. 3D art creationColor theory in game artSound design and musicGame programming basicsObject-oriented programmingGame engines (Unity, Unreal Engine)Prototyping and iterationPlaytesting techniquesAI in gamesMultiplayer game designMobile game developmentVirtual reality (VR) designAugmented reality (AR) toolsPublishing strategiesCrowdfunding for gamesSocial media marketingPerfect for gamers, creators, and dreamers, this book offers a valuable introduction to the world of game design. Read more

Relive the past year on the most popular online gaming platform in the world!Discover everything there is to know about the latest and greatest blockbuster games, the newest updates and more in the 100% Unofficial Roblox Annual 2024.With so much to do, this annual is bound to keep Roblox fans busy for hours on end. Read more

Now in full color, the 10th anniversary edition of this classic book takes you deep into the influences that underlie modern video games, and examines the elements they share with traditional games such as checkers. At the heart of his exploration, veteran game designer Raph Koster takes a close look at the concept of fun and why it's the most vital element in any game. Why do some games become boring quickly, while others remain fun for years? How do games serve as fundamental and powerful learning tools? Whether you're a game developer, dedicated gamer, or curious observer, this illustrated, fully updated edition helps you understand what drives this major cultural force, and inspires you to take it further. You'll discover that: Games play into our innate ability to seek patterns and solve puzzles Most successful games are built upon the same elements Slightly more females than males now play games Many games still teach primitive survival skills Fictional dressing for modern games is more developed than the conceptual elements Truly creative designers seldom use other games for inspiration Games are beginning to evolve beyond their prehistoric origins Read more

Learn how to build 20 enchanting mini-builds in Minecraft, with step-by-step instructions.Add some magic to your Overworld with these 20 new mini-projects, from mermaid lagoons and genie lamps to dragons’ lairs and enchanting towers. There’s even a giant magician’s hat that spawns rabbits!With illustrated step-by-step instructions and tips throughout, this book will have you creating loads of magical builds to impress your friends with.Other exciting projects include:Pumpkin Carriage Fairy-Tale PalaceHouse in a ShoeMagic Mirror And many more! Looking for more epic build ideas in the world of Minecraft? Try these:Minecraft Bite-Size Builds: 978 0755500406Minecraft Amazing Bite-Size Builds: 978 0008495954Minecraft Super Bite-Size Builds 978 0008534127Minecraft Mega Bite-Size Builds 978 0008615680 Read more

Focusing on the beautiful artwork of Guerrilla Games’ Horizon Zero Dawn this is an in-depth insight into a world as dangerous as it is beautiful.The Art of Horizon Zero Dawn is the ultimate gallery of the hotly anticipated new IP from Guerrilla Games (Killzone Series). It focuses on the stunning artwork used to develop the game, and includes over 300 images, sketches, and concept art, commentary throughout from the artists and creators. This is an in-depth insight into a world as beautiful as it is dangerous.Over 1000 years ago a cataclysm destroyed life as we know it, forcing humans to the brink of extinction. In our place machines rose, and nature took back our cities, until all that was left of our world was the rumours of the old ones and the ruins of a civilisation long past. The tribes of the new world live scattered, some small and humble, some as powerful as kings. If Aloy, an outcast and hunter, is to find her true place in this world she must combat the great robotic creatures of the land and uncover the mysteries of a lost civilisation. Read more

The Art of Alien Isolation is a high-end art book featuring over 300 images from the latest game in the critically and commercially acclaimed Alien franchise. Taking players back to the survival horror atmosphere of the first film, Alien Isolation features Amanda Ripley as the hero trying to survive on a wrecked space station. This book is the ultimate gallery of the game, a must-have for any fan. 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

Issue #18 of befores & afters magazine features in-depth coverage of projects with large creatures. It covers:- The dragon in Damsel by One of Us- Fallout's gulper and yao guai by Framestore- Lessons in big creature animation from DNEG, Wētā FX and Scanline VFX for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire- The creation of Helen for YuYu Hakusho by Alt.vfx- The oral history of the Dinosaur Input Device used by Tippett Studio and Industrial Light & Magic on Jurassic Park Read more

Return to the Lands Between… reunite the fractured world… reforge the Elden Ring! The two-volume Elden Ring: Official Art Book contains a plethora of artworks from the game’s ‘Lands Between’ and its inhabitants in stunning oversized hardcover editions. Volume II includes stunning art of the foes great and small that threaten to end the player’s journey, the weapons used to slay them, and even a list of the many items found within the game… very useful for dedicated fans! This translated English art book contains the same content found in the Japanese edition. Read more

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AND AN NPR BEST BOOK OF 2024 From a New York Times bestselling author and investigative journalist comes The Social Network for the video game industry, a riveting examination of Blizzard Entertainment's rise and shocking downfall. For video game fans, the name Blizzard Entertainment was once synonymous with perfection. The renowned company behind classics like Diablo and World of Warcraft was known to celebrate the joy of gaming over all else. What was once two UCLA students' simple mission — to make games they wanted to play — launched an empire with thousands of employees, millions of fans, and billions of dollars.   But when Blizzard cancelled a buzzy project in 2013, it gave Bobby Kotick, the infamous CEO of corporate parent Activision, the excuse he needed to start cracking down on Blizzard's proud autonomy. Activision began invading Blizzard from the inside. Glitchy products, PR disasters, mass layoffs, and a staggering lawsuit marred the company's reputation and led to its ultimate reckoning. Based on firsthand interviews with more than 300 current and former employees, Play Nice chronicles the creativity, frustration, beauty, and betrayal across the epic 33-year saga of Blizzard Entertainment, showing us what it really means to "bleed Blizzard blue." Full of colorful personalities and dramatic twists, this is the story of what happens when the ruthless pursuit of profit meets artistic idealism.    Read more

Are you finding coding languages intimidating and in need of an accessible starting point in programming? Do you require a detailed, beginner-friendly guide to mastering Python, a language renowned for its simplicity and versatility? Look no further than "The Python Programming for Beginners 2024"! This book is your definitive resource for harnessing the power of Python.In the rapidly advancing technology sector, Python continues to dominate as one of the most versatile and sought-after programming languages. Aspiring programmers often encounter significant challenges when trying to understand Python's core principles. "The Python Programming for Beginners 2024" systematically addresses these challenges, providing a thorough and accessible guide specifically designed for novices.Inside this guide, you'll find:An Introduction to PythonDetailed explanations of Pycharm and IDLEA strong foundation in Python basicsComprehensive coverage of data types in PythonIn-depth exploration of advanced data structures ... And much more!"The Python Programming for Beginners 2024" presents a meticulously crafted learning path that demystifies Python, making it approachable and engaging for beginners. The book starts with fundamental concepts, ensuring you build a solid base before progressing to more advanced topics.You'll begin by understanding Python's syntax and logical structure, gradually advancing to topics like variables, data types, and control structures. As you progress, you'll delve into functions, modules, and object-oriented programming, equipping you with the skills to tackle complex concepts such as file handling and exception handling.Importantly, this book is not just about theoretical knowledge. It emphasizes practical coding skills through numerous coding challenges, mini-projects, and real-world examples, ensuring you gain the confidence and competence to write efficient, clean, and functional Python code.Whether you aim to become a professional developer or simply wish to leverage the power of coding, this book is the ideal launchpad for anyone eager to dive into Python programming. Embrace the power of Python and kickstart your programming career with this comprehensive and engaging guide. Order your copy now! Read more

Creating a child GENIUS isn't as difficult as you may think. Here's why...Does your child (or yourself) seem to be attracted to, and fascinated by, the world of computers and technology?Do you want to keep your child (or yourself) up to date on the ever-growing list of essential life skills to know, opening up a bountiful supply of opportunities later in their career?Is your child bored of the same old activities and in need of change, something that will challenge his or her mind and allow for better problem-solving tactics?Introducing your child to coding may sound intimidating, and you may even be skeptical if he or she will be able to figure it out, but it is actually quite simple and straight-forward.Not only is it fun and exciting for kids to be able to use their magical imaginative abilities to create a game or puzzle, but, according to Raise Smart Kid, it also teaches your child:Better problem-solving skillsHow to utilize math in actionOutside-the-box thinkingLogicPerseveranceAnd those are only a handful of the copious benefits there are.Given today's modern society where technology dominates almost all aspects of our lives, why not give your child (or to yourself) the gift of coding so that he or she will be able to thrive along side the world's quick advancements?In Learn Python, you will discover:How to teach your child the basics of Python without you needing to be an expert in computers or programmingSurprise quizzes to keep your child on track and make sure they are retaining the information necessary in order to be successful in codingThe most commonly used commands when writing codes, and how to effectively apply them to your work to achieve your desired outcomeA handy glossary filled to the brim with all the proper terms and definitions both you and your child need to know before going forward with your coding journeyEndless project ideas your child can begin today that will keep them engaged for hours, and how to go about starting themA practical, modern hobby that will keep your son or daughter occupied in times of boredom and boost their problem-solving skills and intellect, all while having a blast!A step-by-step tutorial your child will be able to follow effortlessly for creating unique puzzles, games, and artwork not only for their own enjoyment, but also their friends'And much more.Even if you've already tried teaching your child something new without any success, coding is an activity he or she can work on alone. So if you don't have the extra time or energy after a long day of work to sit by their side, don't worry, there's no need for that.By having a guide to help your son or daughter through the process of coding in Python, you won't need to sign up and pay for any pricey extra curricular classes - all they need is a computer and the desire to learn how to create.What's even more is that if your child has abusy or unpredictable schedule, it won't come in the way of their learning. Every thing can be done at their own pace and in the comfort of your home.So, what are you waiting for? It's time to have some fun with coding!.If you want to introduce the world of endless opportunities and fun that Python programming can offer to your child, then scroll up and simply click the "Add to Cart" button right now. Read more

The official companion book for the indie horror-mystery game Sally Face featuring concept art, creative insight, how to build a game from scratch, and hidden easter eggs from the game's developer, Steve Gabry.Sally Face is a gripping horror-mystery game that follows a boy with a prosthetic face. Sal uses his handheld video game system to speak with the dead and learn their stories. After a string of mysterious murders, Sal and his three friends discover something truly sinister casting shadows over their small town. Sally Face is composed of 5 episodes in total. With a passionate fan base, Sally Face has won 7 awards so far and is available to play on all consoles (including PC, Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation).This coffee table hardback reveals the concept designs, character sketches, storyboards, and final screenshots of the game. It also includes an exclusive autobiography and creative insight from the indie game developer, Steve Gabry. Read more

In Tokyo, a group of high school students have awakened the power of one's true self - their Personas. Taking on the role of the Phantom Thieves, these students tackle the goal of saving people from the twisted desires of those around them. PERSONA 5 + PERSONA 5 ROYAL: OFFICIAL DESIGN WORKS collects the artwork behind the hit game Persona 5 and its updated edition Persona 5 Royal. Inside you'll find a hefty 544 pages of character illustrations, promotional art, rough concepts, detailed creator commentary, and an interview with series artist Shigenori Soejima. Read more

Get a comprehensive, in-depth introduction to the core Python language with this hands-on book. Based on author Mark Lutz&;s popular training course, this updated fifth edition will help you quickly write efficient, high-quality code with Python. It&;s an ideal way to begin, whether you&;re new to programming or a professional developer versed in other languages.Complete with quizzes, exercises, and helpful illustrations, this easy-to-follow, self-paced tutorial gets you started with both Python 2.7 and 3.3&; the latest releases in the 3.X and 2.X lines&;plus all other releases in common use today. You&;ll also learn some advanced language features that recently have become more common in Python code.Explore Python&;s major built-in object types such as numbers, lists, and dictionariesCreate and process objects with Python statements, and learn Python&;s general syntax modelUse functions to avoid code redundancy and package code for reuseOrganize statements, functions, and other tools into larger components with modulesDive into classes: Python&;s object-oriented programming tool for structuring codeWrite large programs with Python&;s exception-handling model and development toolsLearn advanced Python tools, including decorators, descriptors, metaclasses, and Unicode processing Read more

Issue #29 of befores & afters magazine covers the HBO series, The Penguin. With production visual effects supervisor Johnny Han and several VFX vendors, we look behind the scenes at the visual effects effort to depict the low and high points of Gotham featured in the series, correlating the look of the series with that of The Batman via lens choices, plus key moments such as a seawall flooding flashback, various blood and gore scenes, the approach to driving shots, and cosmetic VFX work. Read more