Game Development Essentials:
An Introduction (4th Edition)

The fourth edition of Game Development Essentials: An Introduction takes readers on a fascinating journey through the game development process
and the industry itself.

All the current trends and technologies are covered—including: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S; usability and accessibility; virtual, mixed, and augmented reality; and development tools and techniques. Game Development Essentials: An Introduction is the starting point for anyone who’s interested in learning everything there is to know about the thriving, fast-moving game industry. 

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Blog

Instructor Spotlight: Rob Craig

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With over a decade in electronics, computer technology and applied media, Rob Craig has taught and developed hands‑on courses in digital electronics, microprocessors, computing hardware, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence at John A. Logan University. As the founder and advisor of the Game Mechanics Research Studio, he brings his own video game design and production experience into the classroom. He earned a Master of Science in Professional Media and Media Management from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in May 2011.
Read More Instructor Spotlight: Rob Craig

Instructor Spotlight: Tim Samoff

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With over 30 years in game, UX, interactive, and web design, Tim Samoff has designed and produced more than 40 game titles and numerous digital media projects. He earned a BFA in Experimental Animation from the California Institute of the Arts and an MFA in Interactive Design and Game Development from the Savannah College of Art and Design. After creating a successful game design program as a professor at Moorpark College, he now leads the Games & Interactive Media bachelor’s program at Azusa Pacific University.
Read More Instructor Spotlight: Tim Samoff

Testimonials

“It’s important to hook students quickly in any course. For me, Game Development Essentials is a head-first dive into the history of games.”
– Rob Craig (Associate Professor, John A. Logan College)

“Game Development Essentials is the perfect survey of the game industry as a whole and includes many essential subjects for burgeoning game designers.”
– Tim Samoff (Professor, Azusa Pacific University)

“It’s a great resource, has a LOT of input from industry professionals, does a great job of describing the game studio pipeline with all its members and their respective positions and duties. I highly recommend this book as a text and as a resource for those just interested in the field!”
– Ron Sumner (Professor, Liberty University)

“I am thoroughly impressed with the comprehensive and detailed approach that this book offers to anyone keen to delve into the world of game development.”
– Mark Barlet (Founder & Executive Director, AbleGamers)

“Depth of information presented in a digestible format, peppered with quotes and advice from renown game developers from a spectrum of backgrounds. Valuable learnings all around.”
– Jennifer Estaris (Game Director, ustwo games)

“This fourth edition of Game Development Essentials is, yes, an essential text and reference for introductory courses in game development and design, and for folks like myself who are interested in learning about all aspects of the game industry.“
– Michael Grodsky (Sound Design & Studio Recording Instructor)

“Super honored to have been a part of this.”
– Dianna Lora, Licensing Product Manager
(Zynga) and Game Development Essentials series contributor

“Part of Jeannie Novak’s series on designing and building games, Game Development Essentials covers every aspect of game development-from the initial to organizing and developing you code. Whether you want to build a game or just understand how they are made this is the perfect addition to you library. A great reference work too. Every gamer should have a copy.”
– Bill Louden, Board Member; Adjunct Faculty (Online Blockchain, plc; University of Texas)

“The recently published book, Game Development Essentials: An Introduction, Fourth Edition, is highly informative and a great read for anyone interested in learning about or involved in the gaming industry.”
– Fran Duncan, Founder (FarVision Studios LLC)

“One of the top authorities on game development for game developers and aspiring game developers.”
– Michael Amerson, Founder (ICandy Games)

“The author did an excellent job with the content. Readers are able to step through the textbook from general concepts to practical examples with hands-on experience. It was adopted in a course I teach and the students love it.”
– Daniel J. Parrell, Instructor (Davenport University)

“As few others can, Novak takes us on a delightful and informative journey into the world of games – introducing readers to important historic events, concept, and ideas. If you need to understand the industry, you need to have this book.”
– Karl M. Kapp, Professor of Instructional Technology (Bloomsburg University)

“Jeannie Novak has created a fundamental series of books that help cover the breadth and depth of the complex process of creating games.”
– Drew Davidson, Director (Entertainment Technology Center, Carnegie Mellon University)

“I’m so incredibly jealous of the people who have access to books like this. In the comfort of your home, you get to read work created by experts introducing you to all facets of game development in about 100th of the amount of time it took me. It’s a career boost that I could have only dreamed of!”
– David Perry, Video Game Industry Veteran

“A great book for game designers – very valuable resource for anyone interested in the craft of designing games.”
– Bjorn Billhardt, Chief Executive Officer (Abilitie)

“There are a lot of resources out there which explain video game development, but Game Development Essentials stands above the rest as the best guide to the subject! This latest edition keeps the book fresh and current with the ever-changing industry, and should be considered the go-to reference for any prospective or current game developer.”
– Kate Edwards, Chief Experience Officer; Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer
(SetJetters; The Global Game Jam; Geogrify)

“I’ve been following this series for several years and have found it to be the most comprehensive series on game development currently on the market.”
– Deborah Baxtrom, Screenwriter & Filmmaker

This thoroughly updated, highly anticipated new edition includes 12 chapters divided into three parts

High-impact game screenshots, photos, diagrams, and illustrations.
Revealing case studies, profiles, quotes, and tips contributed by industry experts.
Insightful objectives, exercises, notes, and sidebars that help readers hone their critical thinking skills.

Part I
(Setup: Building the Foundation)

Explores game development history, platforms, player modes, time intervals, goals, genres, and industry stats.

Part II
(Scenarios: Creating Compelling Content)

Delves into content creation and concepts behind story and character development, gameplay, level design, interface design, and audio.

Part III
(Strategy: Making It Real)

Focuses on team roles, production phases, tools, techniques, documentation, management, and marketing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeannie Novak is Lead Author and Series Editor of the widely acclaimed Game Development Essentials series, CEO of Kaleidospace, LLC (dba Indiespace), Director of Novy Publishing Worldwide, and Co-Founder of Novy Unlimited—an agency servicing game developers and publishers in consulting, in-game production, marketing, public relations, and creative services.

Jeannie has provided curriculum development and consulting services for game technology companies, serious game developers, research institutions, and colleges/universities such as UC Berkeley, USC’s Information Sciences Institute, Alelo Tactical Language & Culture, and GameSalad. She was Program Director of Game Art & Design and Media Arts & Animation at the Art Institute Online and has taught game courses at UCLA, Art Center College of Design, DeVry, Westwood College, ITT, and the Center for Media & Design at Santa Monica College. Jeannie holds a BA in Mass Communication from UCLA and an MA in Communication Management from the Annenberg School at USC. She’s a member of the Online Game of the Year peer review panel for the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences D.I.C.E. Awards and has served on the Executive Boards of the International Game Developers Association – Los Angeles, and Women in Games International. Based in Santa Monica, California, Jeannie is also an accomplished composer, pianist, and singer-songwriter.

Novy Unlimited, Inc. is a product of co-conspirators Jeannie NOvak and Luis LeVY.
Launched in 2011, Novy’s divisions include PR, Marketing, Creative, Consulting, Production, Music, and Publishing.