Book Update
I’ve had a number of people ask about progress with the book, so I thought I would do a quick post about it.
First of all I’m really excited about getting the book completed and into peoples hands. The great feedback I’ve had on the blog has really helped push this project forward and it would be great to get it out to everyone. I’m currently working on the last few chapters and the plan is to have the book up on Safari Rough Cuts in the next few weeks. This will allow people early access to the book and a way to provide feedback before the book is finally published.
The game that accompanies the book, Sir Lamorak’s Quest is also almost finished as you will have seen in SLQ Update post. I’ve just got a little tweaking to do on some AI and then finish the map.
The entire project for the game, every single line of code and asset it uses, will come with the book. The whole idea is that the book covers the the technology used to create the game, but in the context of the game itself. I’m hoping that with the book, the source code which is packed with comments and the videos that will accompany the chapters, people will get what they need.
I have tried to keep the code as simple as possible whilst still implementing what I needed. A lot of the game engine will be familiar to people who have followed the tutorials, but every class has be re-written from the ground up.
Just to prove I’m working hard the screen shot below shows Word open while I’m typing his post with Chapter 14, which I’m working on at the moment and hope to have finished by the end of today.
Working hard on the book
I’ll keep you all up to date on progress and when the book is released to rough cuts.
Mike
UPDATE 18/02/10: Finished Chapter 14 this morning and working on Chapter 15 :o)
18 Comments
mike on February 17th, 2010
LOL, thanks Tony, I didn’t want anyone to think I was just sat waiting for the iPad to be released :o)
I’m sure I could arrange signed copies although I’m not sure what they would do the resales value ;o)
Mike
CC on February 17th, 2010
Keep up the good work. I know the end of a project is often a long, hard slog through details that need tying up, so just know that we appreciate your efforts on this. I hope both the game and the book sell well.
RoberRM on February 17th, 2010
Great job, Mike! I can’t wait to have your book in my hands and be able to give the final touches to my game. :)
As I told you before, your tutorials were extremely helpful for creating the game of my dreams. Unfortunately, I have found quite difficult to continue on my own (it takes me too much time to figure out how to do anything). So I am waiting eagerly for your book. :)
By the way, will you include in the book some thoughts on how to continue learning to code by yourself and/or some best practices? And tips, do not forget to give us tips on everything. :D As I said in a previous post, for me it is not as much how to make something, but learning why it was made like that (or why it wasn’t). That is one of the reasons I like your tutorials so much: you were learning with us and told us what was right and why.
In sort, thank you very much for your efforts, Mike, and hurry. ;D
George on February 18th, 2010
“I’m currently working on the last few chapters and the plan is to have the book up on Safari Rough Cuts in the next few weeks”
Had a complicated day.. This cheered me up.
Hug Mike.
Simon on February 18th, 2010
Hi Mike,
Thanks for the update really looking forward to seeing rough-cuts version soon.
Also love the video, although was disappointed that I couldn’t view it on my iPhone.
All the best
mike on February 18th, 2010
Thanks Simon
I’ve seen recently that Vimeo has introduced a new feature that would allow me to upload a version of the video that can be streamed on mobile devices such as the iPhone. Once things calm down a bit I’m going to check that out.
Mike
Simon on February 18th, 2010
as Brin would say “Two words… YOU… TUBE :) lol (Gavin & Stacey reference)
It’d be another great plug for book.
Simon
mike on February 18th, 2010
LOL, I did put the first couple of tutorials on you tube a while ago. Only allowing 10 min per film was a problem and ended up creating loads of little films.
For something like the game update though it would be fine though. I’ll get it posted up today :O)
Mike
mike on February 18th, 2010
Video is now on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMp6FAk9KU0
Mike
blakeman13 on February 21st, 2010
Hi Mike
Ive been working on a game based on your tutorials and Ive hit a snag on collision detection. How did you do collision detection amoung bthe entities and the player on SLQ?
Anonymous on February 25th, 2010
Mike,
Can we pre-order the Book? I have to say, after hours upon hours of searching the internet, your tutorials are by far the best I’ve ever seen and as of now even looking for books, I can’t find a single one that I think could even compare to the book you are releasing.
Just a thought, when you release the book with the video tutorials included, how would you feel about putting those on a DVD for those of us with very large TV’s it would make following along a lot easier.
Also, I had a quick question about the SDK you are using. I’ve upgraded to the latest iPhone SDK and was wondering if I would run into any problems. Will the book be using the newer SDK?
Again, I want to express my gratitude that you’ve created such a wonderful tutorial series.
Chris
Rob Jones on February 26th, 2010
Mike,
I would love to see a post describing how you found the artist for SLQ.
Rob
Simon on February 27th, 2010
Hi mike,
What are the chances that you’ll be posting anymore tutorials b4 the book is finished? :)
I’d love to see one on rotating the view, if you’re taking requests lol
Hope the book is going well ;)
mike on February 27th, 2010
@Simon
The book is currently in tech review so I’m starting to get feedback and changes. It should also be up on rough cuts shortly.
I cant see me getting anytime before the end of March to get a new tutorial out, but after then I’m sure I’ll be getting back on the tutorial train.
@Rob
I’ll look to get a post up.
Mike
gary on February 28th, 2010
Great work Mike, hope to see the book real soon, will certainly be better than the current iphone games books. I’m buried under a small pile of ‘business’ iphone apps that when done I’m hoping to work through your book.
Cheers
Gary
mike on February 28th, 2010
h Gary, thanks for the comments. Sounds like you are busy at the moment, but glad the tutorials are useful and that we will be seeing your creations on the app store soon :o)
Mike
Simon on March 19th, 2010
Read the blog, bought the book… and now waiting for the T-Shirt lol
On a serious note – I’ve downloaded the the code available on safari, so had the opportunity to play the game. I wondered if it was similar or at least very close to the final version.
It seems to have a few leaks of it’s own. But what I really wanted to suggest – was that you move the joystick up and out from the corners a bit more for the final version of SLQ. As it would make it easier to move the character towards the edge of the screen i.e. I wouldn’t so easily slide my fat thumbs off the touchable area. Just a thought!
All the best
Simon
Tony on February 17th, 2010
Hey Mike,
Luckily you put in that picture as proof because we all thought you were slacking off!
Kidding aside. Many thanks for this update. I’m very happy that I’ll be able to get a sneak preview on Safari.
You’re the hardest working blogger that I’ve come across and the quality of the tutorials reflects that. I see from the picture that the book is in the same very informative style. Any chances of you selling autographed copies in the future?
Cheers