Who Are You?

[ LiB ]

I suppose you can answer this question better than I, but let me tell you what I am looking for in a reader. First of all, I am guessing that you are either a teenager who is interested in game programming or a parent who is interested in having your child learn game programming. That is pretty much all that is required: interest. This book is not made to be difficult. It is made to help introduce the reader to the world of game programming.

There are literally very few requirements. All you really need is a basic knowledge of math, like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. If you know those techniques, you are pretty much set! I also suggest that you ask your parent(s) for help whenever necessary. I use some rudimentary algebra, but those instances are few and far between, and should be easily comprehended within the book.

What do you need at a minimum? Besides the mathematical knowledge I discussed earlier, simply interest in game programming and a desire to learn. You don't need to have any knowledge of other programming languagesnot that it won't help, of course. If you do know any other languages, you can learn from this book as well. But, Game Programming for Teens teaches the language of game programming along with the ability to actually implement games .

If you are the parent of a child who wants to learn programming, this book is the way to go. General programming can be a long and boring subject, but game programming allows your child to create things that are fun . Help your child with xvIntroduction 00_GDFT_FM.qxd 4/21/03 10:18 PM Page xv programming while he reads this book, as well. Not only will you both learn programming, but who knows , it may serve as a bond between parent and child (this comes from my psychologist side).

[ LiB ]