Ska Studios » I wrote a book (and some dude hates it)!

I wrote a book (and some dude hates it)!

I get lots and lots of emails asking how I made The Dishwasher, which is cool, so I wrote a book (with the help of John Sedlak) on pretty much everything I did when making The Dishwasher so that others could benefit from the experience. The book is pretty straightforward and hopefully a fun read. It’s available for $26 on Amazon.com.

Some dude already hates it:

I have been developing small footprint games for 9 years and coding for another 11. I wanted a book to get me started on XNA and since I already had the basics I was looking for a practical approach which allowed me to hit the ground running.

Unfortunately this book isn’t it. It provides little substance and leaves a lot of the important details out. I wonder if they just thought of making a quick buck after winning a small gaming award.

Well, you can’t please them all! My book sets out to explain how to make The Dishwasher, no more, no less. I probably should have put up a disclaimer somewhere! Critics…

(For the record, about a year ago APress approached me after I won a small gaming award and asked if I’d like to write a book detailing how I made the game that won the small gaming award, so here we are.)

Anyway, if you want to know how to make The Dishwasher (and use that as a springboard for jumping into all things gaming), buy my book! If you want a more general overview of all things XNA, don’t buy my book!

September 21, 2008 posted by James

Filed under: Jerks,My Book,The Dishwasher

9 Comments Comment away!

1. zimacatalin | September 21, 2008 at 10:34 PM

Don’t let it get to you

I already know my way around XNA GS/Framework, but I’m still curious about your book. I expect it to be an interesting read.

And maybe I can use the book to make CommunityDishwasher in time for XBLCG MUAHAHAHAHA >:)
2. ultrahead | September 21, 2008 at 11:25 PM

“If you want a more general overview of all things XNA, don’t buy my book!”

Damn it! I’ve already ordered it … (I like your marketing strategy, btw)

“Don’t let it get to you “. I agree.

Cheers!
3. kslam | October 24, 2008 at 11:47 AM

Hi !
I download the source code of your book and found that the keyboard
can’t control the game but, only can use the Xbox gampad.
Are you going to modify the source code in order to the keyboard
can control the game ? Because not all the readers got Xbox.

Thanks.
4. alexpummer | October 30, 2008 at 10:45 PM

You know you can’t please everyone. I do find the comment a little funny in some fashion.

I mean here’s a guy who supposedly has 9 and 11 years experience.. And yet he is getting bent out of shape because not everything was covered. I usually tend to question the validity of those kinda of reviews, especially when the negative comments are very generalized.

Put a negative vote on the comment, on the grounds that his comment was not constructive enough to warrant such a negative review.
5. ashmoollan | November 17, 2008 at 7:51 AM

Dude,

Don’t let it get to you. I bought your book and it’s the best buy I ever made in terms of game programming books. I love how you acknowledge all the shortcuts you took – we all take shortcuts in everyday programming, and its refreshing to see that acknowledged in your book.

Keep up the good work, and looking forward to your game release.

Cheers
Ash
DownUnder
6. twiroo | November 19, 2008 at 6:26 AM

james, you create a great book!
best in rapid XNA gamedev books in that realm. no joke

good luck 2 you & stay on course!
7. fartbunny | November 22, 2008 at 12:05 PM

I read your book and although it doesn’t give any introduction about XNA in itself (which I really don’t mind, I’m sick of going to books where the first 100pages is about what XNA is, how it works, what c# syntax to use blahblahblah, …) BUT you give a very lively, easy to follow guideline to create such games.. I’m currently trying to finish of a 3D project before I actually start working from your book but I’m really looking forward to it.. (I already changed the code from the side so it also takes in a generic gamepad controller, and the game really kicks ass) I hope by the end of the book I am capable enough to cram every idea I have into the game, but we’ll see.. anyway, best book on xna (in my opinion) and Dishwasher is the best game written in xna (in my opinion) Hope to hear from you again!!
8. James Silva’s ZSX4 &hellip | November 27, 2008 at 8:52 PM

[...] guy. First he creates The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai (which is coming “soon”), then he writes a book about how to make an XNA game, and now he’s gone and created another game. To be specific, [...]
9. roloenusa | March 21, 2009 at 12:54 AM

I read your book because i wanted to get into the XNA… I honestly think it’s inspiring. I’m very greatful that you wrote it.

I’m currently making my own game and even though it’s absolutely nothing like the Dead Samurai I always draw inspiration from both your game and your code.

Again.. thank you James =)