The Reverse Design series looks at all of the design decisions that went into classic video games. This is the fifth installment in the Reverse Design series, looking at Final Fantasy VII. Written in a readable format, it is broken down into eight sections examining some of the most important topics to the game:How latter-day critics have misunderstood the artistic goals of Final Fantasy VIIHow RPG history began to dive...

The Reverse Design series looks at all of the design decisions that went into classic games. This is the third installment in the Reverse Design series, looking at Super Mario World. Written in a readable format; this game breaks down nicely into relatively short, separate sections. Reverse Design: Super Mario World is broken down into four sections with the final section a guide for level-by-level. The first three sections look at design history, cadences, skill and themes. The ideal expe...

The Reverse Design series looks at all of the design decisions that went into classic video games. This is the fourth installment in the Reverse Design series, looking at Half Life. Written in a readable format, it is broken down into six sections examining some of the most important topics to the game:How Half-Life is a key step in the evolution from the composite style of videogame design to the set piece style of design....

The Reverse Design series looks at all of the design decisions that went into classic video games. This is the second installment in the Reverse Design series, looking at Chrono Trigger. Written in a readable format, it is broken down into four sections examining some of the most important topics to the game:Analyzes how the designers use gameplay to preserve and embellish the surprises in the plotExplains how Chrono Trigger...

The Reverse Design series looks at all of the design decisions that went into classic video games. This is the first installment in the Reverse Design series, looking at Final Fantasy VI. Written in a readable format, it is broken down into six sections examining some of the most important topics to the game:How narrative elements, specifically the design of the fourteen player-characters, was the critical constraint which shaped the game’s product...

The Reverse Design series looks at all of the design decisions that went into classic video games. This is the sixth installment in the Reverse Design series, looking at Diablo II. Written in a readable format, it is broken down into three sections examining three topics important to the game:How does Diablo II borrow from different types of games like action RPGs, classical class-based RPGs and Roguelikes?What are the ...

Ready to give your design skills a real boost? This eye-opening book helps you explore the design structure behind most of today's hit video games. You'll learn principles and practices for crafting games that generate emotionally charged experiences - a combination of elegant game mechanics, compelling fiction, and pace that fully immerses players.In clear and approachable prose, design pro Tynan Sylvester also looks at the day-to-day process necessary to keep your project on trac...

How do you spot a robot mimicking a human? How do you recognize and then deactivate a rebel servant robot? How do you escape a murderous "smart" house, or evade a swarm of marauding robotic flies? In this dryly hilarious survival guide, roboticist Daniel H. Wilson teaches worried humans the keys to quashing a robot mutiny.From treating laser wounds to fooling face and speech recognition, besting robot logic to engaging in hand-to-pincer combat, How to Survive a Robot Uprising covers...

The author of The Antithesis Progression teams up with the author of The Rehumanization of Jade Darcy to provide an in-depth guide to the science fact that underlies some of the most popular weapons in science fiction. Whether you're a writer looking to add depth and texture to your weapons technology, or a fan who wants to know how it all works, this is the place.Find out how it all works! This article covers particle beams, phasers, lasers, disruptors, mass drivers, railguns, coi...

**In this New York Times bestselling “imperative how-to for creativity” (Nick Offerman), Adam Savage—**star of Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters—shares his golden rules of creativity, from finding inspiration to following through and successfully making your idea a reality.Every Tool’s a Hammer is a chronicle of my life as a maker. It’s an exploration of making, but it’s also a permission slip of sorts from me to you. Permission to...

Minecraft is a great game to play alone, but it gets even better if you do so with your friends. Whether you are on PvP (player versus player) mode where your goal is to be the last man or in this case, the last Steve standing, or you are just trying to create a "better" world compared to those made by your friends, it would be to your advantage if you take note of the tips mentioned below. From farming tips to how to swiftly take out the enemy, you'll find everything you need below. Let's...

Science fiction and fantasy is one of the most challenging--and rewarding!--genres in the bookstore. But with New York Times bestselling author Philip Athans and fantasy giant R. A. Salvatore at your side, you’ll create worlds that draw your readers in--and keep them reading!Just as important, you’ll learn how to prepare your work for today’s market. Drawing on his years of experience as one of the most acclaimed professionals in publishing, Wizards of the ...