   Ultimate Game Programming, the book
  I am having a hard time deciding to buy this book. I can't decide between this one and "Programming a Multiplayer FPS in DirectX." So I was hoping that anyone who has read both or one of them could help me out. Networking aside, how do they compare?There isn't a detailed TOC for the UGP book on the charles river site, and the library of congress one isn't much better than the one on Amazon. It says that it is a complete FPS, but since I didn't see anyting on AI or Networking, I am wondering if its anything more than just running around and being able to shoot stuff. How long is the last chapter on making the game?I wasn't exactly sure where to put this. All the book discussions had been started by a moderator, so I didn't think I should start one there. I hope this is suitable.Thanks,Kyle   
  i'm not going to try and give you a review of either book that you mentioned because i haven't read them.  i know that you are interested in those books and therefore may just ignore this post.  however, i have read a few of the thomson course technology books, and must say that i am quite impressed with them.  there seems to be a book for pretty much every topic, and each book is pretty well written.i have read "3d game programming all in one" by kenneth c. finney and was fairly impressed.  if you have no problem working with torque and torque script then it is a great source.  however, if you are more interested in building everything from scratch then probably you should look here for all the thomson titles : http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/series/-/88977/ref=pd_sr_ec_ser_b/102-6522842-4036940again, i know i didn't directly answer your question, but i hope that this helps in some way!   ;  Im not sure what level you are at but Im guessing beginner (slap me if you arn't).If so Id highly reccomend Game Coding: Complete, as a great introduction book. I would advise against "Programming a Multiplayer FPS in DirectX" which to be honest I found to be of unusual poor quality for Charles River Media and I haven't read Ultimate Game Programming so won't comment. however having flipped through amazon.com for alittle bit you can get a very good deal on 3D Game Programming All in One along with Beginning C++ Game Programming together for  $50 which is a really good deal for starting out.   ;  Thanks for the replies. I have heard good thing about Thomson books, but then almost every review on Amazon seemed to really like "Programming a Multiplayer FPS." I've seen "3D Programming all in one," but I think would rather build an engine from scratch, so I know how everything works together. I've read these tutorials: http://www.thehazymind.com/3DEngine.htm, so I have a little bit of how to get started. I just didn't like how he did some things with those tutorials, so I figured I'd get one of these books.As far as programming in c/c++ I'm not new. But I am relatively new to 3d programming. I've read "Intro to 3d programming w/ DirectX" and a few online tutorials. I'll think I'll buy one of these books plus the second edition of "Intro to 3D Programming" which doesn't use the FFP, except for maybe the first couple of chapters. Right now it looks like I'm leaning towards UGP.[Edited by - glaeken on June 17, 2006 11:37:18 AM];  Try visiting the UltimateGameProgramming.com website.  The author frequents it quite often.:)   