Contents -- Acknowledgments -- About the Author -- Introduction -- 1 A Brief History of Video Games -- In the Beginning . . . -- Arcade Systems -- A Timeline -- Technologies -- Home Entertainment -- Summary -- References -- 2 Introduction to Video Game Design -- Gaming Perspectives -- Genres -- Perspectives -- Markets -- From Idea to Design -- Stories and Narrative Elements -- Descriptive Elements -- General Design Issues -- Summary -- References -- 3 Video Game Design in Practice -- Information Organization -- Planning -- Documentation -- Summary -- References -- 4 Platforms and Technologies -- Platforms -- The Design Platform -- Technologies -- Special Cases -- Summary -- References -- 5 Sound, Music, and Graphics -- Sound Effects and Music -- Graphics -- Concept Art and Sound -- Summary -- References -- 6 Object-Oriented Game Design -- OO Primer -- Relationships -- Object Model -- Summary -- 7 Game Mechanics -- Game Rules -- Game Physics -- Game AI -- Summary -- References -- 8 Mods, Scripts, and Development -- Modding Explained -- Scripting and Modding -- Developing in Perspective -- Summary -- 9 User Interface Design -- The Physical User Interface -- The Graphical User Interface -- The Game Universe Interface -- The Logical Interface -- Summary -- References -- 10 Level and Mission Design -- Introduction to Level Design -- Designing Buildings -- Mission Design -- Integrating Levels and Missions -- Other Level and Mission Types -- Summary -- References -- 11 Using Vehicles and Objects -- Vehicles -- Objects -- Nonplayer Characters -- Summary -- References -- 12 Video Game AI Design -- Genre-Based Video Game AI -- State-Driven AI -- Behavior-Driven AI -- AI and Evolution -- Communicating AI -- Beyond Event-Driven AI -- Summary -- References -- 13 The Official Design Document -- Target Audience -- Content -- The Waiting Game -- Summary.

References -- 14 Funding for Your Video Game -- The Role of the Studio -- Intellectual Property -- Distribution -- Banks and Angel Investors -- Summary -- References -- Appendix -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- J-L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W -- X-Z.