Beginning Java SE 6 Game Programming [Paperback]

Sadly, this is probably one of the best Java game programming books out there, but there is much more to be desired. Being a Java developer, this was perfect for my needs. The book provided the methods of game programming logic that I needed. Unfortunately, even if you're a beginning Java programmer, I would suggest something else. If you don't want to write Java web-applets (which I don't even know many that do), or at least pair it with something that will teach you programing Java applications.

Even though it is known that you need to understand Java, this book takes that statement even further. At the beginning, the author wastes two chapters rambling about things you would find in a beginning Java book, and then contradicts himself a couple paragraphs later. Not only that, bits of code, like the initializing html file for Java applets is mentioned before you even need it; then never brought up again when you actually need the code. After half a chapter of different IDEs for Java, you're given code, and instructions that don't even work for setting up a text editor claiming to be an IDE.

Ignoring these things, I continued on through the book, only to realize that it was even more clumsy than I thought. Once you start entering code, and get to the point of testing; hope that you did not mess anything up through the pages of inconsistent spacing, and poor programming; because the author neglected to provide any way to find the sources for the book. After using a search engine as a citing resource, then traversing his site; I found the source code from the 2nd edition, that was exactly the same code as the only code for the 3rd edition. Even when everything is working well, instead of sticking with one topic, the author jumps around, distracting you from the main program (which is progressively created throughout the entire book), by putting various different demonstration projects in between; which could have been presented before the main project. In the end, after reading lots of posts about missing blocks of code from readers, resulted in reading the logic to use in my own projects; ignoring the provided project completely.

I hope that the author takes more time on the 4th edition, actually making changes to the text, providing links to code, omitting wasted space, possibly giving a bit more of a clear understanding to needed code, and using an IDE the majority uses. Even being a new book, the programming is outdated, and lacking in good practice. It surprises me that an actual "Course Study" publisher would allow a book like this to go through without any sort of editing, but I've come to the conclusion that the "ptr" in the publisher's name, actually means "Public Test Release"; not "Professional Technical Resource".

Reading this book, I have come to notice that the author is very disorganized and like to stray off subject in this book. It offers sum notoriety onto how java works, but it fails to explain. if you have read a basic java book you will be fine, if not make it a point to order a reference book to look back to for help.

If you have read a java book or have one at your side well reading this, you will learn alot of intresting things that are overlooked in other books. I was looking for a book to show me what i needed to know to make a game, and i found it. This book will show you how to creat 2D Java Apllets and Java Aplications.

You're searching amazon for a "learn java through game programming book" when you find this great one! Only one problem... it asumes you already have a base knowledge of java.
Get a java primer book. Take the extra time to learn about the syntax and basic build of the java language, then come back to buy this one.
End result 3 outta five.