New Corona Game Development Book Announced

General (non-technical) Off-Topic
#1

Hello Everyone,

I am pleased to announce a new game development book coming out for Corona SDK. It is mainly a beginner’s guide for new Corona devs out there, but it does teach you how to work in both iOS and Android platforms.

The following are taught in the book:

• Optimize your game for mobile using touch and accelerometer

• Add sound and music to your game

• Master game physics such as collision detection

• Add achievements and leaderboards with OpenFeint and Game Center

• Monetize your game with in app purchase and advertising.

• Make your game socially aware by sharing messages and scores on Facebook and Twitter.

Click here for more book details.

It is now available for pre-order and should be released in February of 2012. Hope you guys purchase and enjoy!

Thank you!

Michelle Fernandez
MobiDojo
michelle@mobidojo.com
http://twitter.com/chelleshock1219
[import]uid: 22552 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 316654[/import]

#2

I’ll keep an eye out for it.

I have Dr. Burtons book, I also have Technowands book.
Basically those show “Beginners” but they “assume” that people coded in another language. I started from SCRATCH in June 2011 in lua. I had silly questions like what is a function? What is the difference between a global vs local variable (and for that matter, a local vs global function) etc etc. I realize these things I had to dive into Programming in lua 2nd edition, but even then that was hard.

What I was REALLY after was a book that held my hand and introduced Lua in a Corona SDK context. Introducing the different things lua has to offer and how that translates to the Corona SDK environment.

Dr Burton had his book out in “beta” for review, basically we bought it and can look at it as it is now with some missing content. Does your book allow this or do we have to wait until the release date? I find looking at the book early allows for suggestions so you don’t have a book that just pisses everyone off because the author was afraid of opinions :slight_smile:

:slight_smile:

ng [import]uid: 61600 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62210[/import]

#3

It’s funny you mention about functions. I do recall in one of my chapters briefly discussing them since there is one that does go in the basics of Lua. While there is a release timeframe, it is still in a draft process and my publisher is still looking for some technical reviewers. I think there is still time to have more. If you’d like to review. Feel free to send me your contact info to my email and I can send it to my coordinator who will be in touch with you.

In this book, I do my best to break down almost every chunk of code. It is mostly geared towards the game development part. Learning to understand how to make a game framework and setting up your scenes. So I guess it is a form of some “hand-holding”, but it does go through a process of loading your builds to iOS/Android devices, working the simulator, networking, physics, in-app purchasing, etc…

Best,
Michelle Fernandez
Mobidojo
michelle@mobidojo.com [import]uid: 22552 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62219[/import]

#4

The link dont works. [import]uid: 86417 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62294[/import]

#5

Hmm… That’s strange. It appears to be working on my end. Here is the direct link just in case: http://www.packtpub.com/corona-game-development-for-ios-android-beginners-guide/book

-Michelle [import]uid: 22552 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62297[/import]

#6

It appears that when you buy the ebook you don’t get the draft version in the meantime? [import]uid: 73935 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62319[/import]

#7

i dont understand why we need another book for corona, except it will be huge and steps from very basic to advanced stuff in very easy matter to learn… [import]uid: 16142 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62331[/import]

#8

@paul.mason.xbox

All the publication is through a publisher (Packt Publishing). While I’m in charge of the content and other related material that goes into the book, in order to have access to the drafts, you would need to have permission by the publisher to see them. The book is not released until February 2012, so many things are still being finalized now if all goes according to schedule.

If you’d like to be a technical reviewer, you’d get a first glance at the content. It has to be approved by my project coordinator first.

Usually upon release with other books by Packt Publishing, a sample chapter is available to get an idea of what is being discussed according to the subject, but it’s still early on till that happens.

Hope that helps. Feel free to contact me if there are any other questions. :slight_smile:

Best,
Michelle [import]uid: 22552 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62509[/import]

#9

@chelleshock It’s not a problem, but it’s the first time I’ve seen pre-ordering of an ebook where you don’t get the draft. APress, Manning, O’Reilly etc all allow you to pre-order and and get immediate access to the drafts. [import]uid: 73935 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62610[/import]

#10

Hi Michelle,

good luck with your book from a fellow PacktPub writer.

Michael Hartlef [import]uid: 5712 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62648[/import]

#11

If I purchase Ebook, what format is it ?(PDF ?)

If I purchase Ebook, can I also get sample codes etc which are used in the book.

Thanks [import]uid: 83418 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62658[/import]

#12

Hi Paul,

I am pretty sure that there will be a raw version of the corona book. I am writing for PacktPub atm and they are making a raw version of my book too. Guess it will take some time.

Michael Hartlef [import]uid: 5712 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62704[/import]

#13

@Mike Thank you very much! Same to you too! I’m sure handling that writing schedule is pretty intense as am I. What subject are you writing about?

I’m not exactly sure there will be a raw version of the Corona book. I never heard any word of it from my editors. I did go through the packtpub site to see a select few have raw versions and some aren’t in the forthcoming books section.

@mila.habaer The ebook has options to be downloaded as PDF, ePub and Mobi downloads. All printed and digital copies will include sample code and other assets mentioned in the book. I think once they’re available, they can be downloaded through the site.

-Michelle [import]uid: 22552 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62718[/import]

#14

@Michelle: Yes, very intense. And I found the format “Beginners book” of PacktPub very limiting.

I am writing about a different tool to create games with, called Monkey. How much time do you have for a chapter? They gave me 16 days for one.

If you want to talk about it more in private, write me an email to mike ( a t) whiteskygames (d ot) com [import]uid: 5712 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62730[/import]

#15

I have reviewed 2 chapters so far, and I am VERY impressed with the writing style. It’s really got a beginners feel to it, without putting you to sleep.

I think this will be the GO TO book for people wanting to develop in Corona SDK.

I’ll report more as I get through the content. :slight_smile:

ng [import]uid: 61600 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62744[/import]

#16

yes !!! local and global functions are my hurdle at this moment.

i think that analyzing a complete program is gonna be the only way for me to learn.
[import]uid: 11094 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 62895[/import]

#17

@troynall

You will have that chance! Around chapter 3 (I say this, as Michelle may re arrange content, as this book is in “draft” form) you start with diving right into making a game, which is an old school game but teaches you from the ground up about project organization, groups, listeners, functions etc etc.

I am extremely technical and design & implement call centers, which has nothing to do with programming. That said, I have some idea on how to roll out huge projects, track a large amount of resources and ensure things are done on time and budget. All of that doesn’t have anything to do with programming, but does have something to do with programming (I know a contradiction!). Also consider, I am a hyper active attention loser (HAAL, no relation to HAL 9000 lol). I’ve never been diagnosed, but I know that I’m 95% sure I’m ADHD :slight_smile:

What’s that got to do with this book? I’ll tell you. When I pick up technical manuals, books etc I have a tendency to hit it hard and somewhere around chapter…1 (lol) if the writer isn’t engaging me I get all pissed off and walk away. I’ve read other Corona Books, and those books were not “right” for me like this one is. I think maybe it’s a different, but straight forward perspective with good pacing.
That’s what I feel about the first 4 chapters thus far:

Good pacing, good layout, recap of what’s going on, keeping reader engaged.
I’m finishing up ch 3 and 4, and then sending back the notes and waiting to review the next batch of chapters :slight_smile:

**Edit

11/04/11 - reviewed chapter 5 and 6 -

This is where this book REALLY shines. You build yet another game (2nd one so far) that is different but really hammers home the basics of the first game.

It really gets into it, covering sprites, animation, tables, score, sound, some physics etc. I learned quite a bit from it. The cool thing was I really didn’t have to comment too much, it was very well written and I read it end to end in one sitting, then read it 2 more times, went through the code. I’m very pleased.
11/09/11 Started review of ch 7 and 8 - HOlY CRAP another game!!! This time, it’s something different and really cool. You take everything you learned previously and really add on some useful stuff, and different gameplay. Using accelerometer, score, openfient, then there is some twitter, facebook, etc implementation. I’m not doing these chapters justice, but I think after someone reads this book they are going to have a brain full of corona sdk.

The end. :slight_smile:

ng

By the way, I have twitter

cellphonegaming

angrycarrot (this is my support twitter account for my “company” …yea it’s not quite to “company” status lol)
[import]uid: 61600 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 64874[/import]

#18

seems like a good reading, when it will be fully available ? [import]uid: 16142 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 66506[/import]

#19

I think it’s Feb 2012 - From what I understand, packt controls the release pretty tightly.
[import]uid: 61600 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 66514[/import]

#20

@nicholasclayg Oh you are too kind! :smiley: [import]uid: 22552 topic_id: 16654 reply_id: 66535[/import]