   comment these books
  i''ve got recommendatitions to but these books to my multiplayer gameprogramming course: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1556228686/qid%3D1076860367/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/103-3479035-8478228 andhttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0761532986/qid%3D1076860394/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/103-3479035-8478228?v=glance&s=booksif you got any experience of these books, please comment.. 
  First one: Developer's Guide to Multiplayer Games I have this book, and honestly,  I think it sucks, don't buy it.  It barely touches all the basics needed but doesnt really get into major details, if you are a TOTAL newbie the maybe it is good.  I mean it does touch a lot of subjects from databases to networking, but the reality of it for me is this:  I order it, I read it (skimmed a lot) and I have to say I NEVER find myself reaching for this book when I need some "help".The second book, Multiplayer game programmig, I have this too and same deal.  It tries to cover to many topics and does justice to none.   With one exception, it has a "mildly" decent DirectPlay section, just as with the first book I never find myself reaching for it when I need some help (ever).If you were going to pick between the two, that is a hard pick... depends on your skill level, the second book will actually get you up and going pretty good, but the first book does have one redeeming feature and that is that it discusses mySQL in the first part of the book, which is goig to be a MUST if you want to save any stats etcbut if you want the most bang for your buck, AND you are not a COMPLETE newbie, then buy Game Gems I, II, and III.Also if you were only going to buy one book and you only had $50, then perhaps Multiplayer Game Programming isn't such a bad deal as it covers DirectX, DirectPlay, and DirectSound.  like i say if you ZERO experience with these API's, then that alone would make it worth it, but if you already have DirectPlayer/X/Sound up and working, the book is practically worthless.Edit:Also, I will say this in in both books "Defense",Multiplayer Game Programming does have some pretty interesting reading material in some chapters concerning existing online games, the history of online games, and I admit it is an interesting read, but it won't help you make an online game (the interesting reading part that is)And the first book you mentioned:,Developer's Guide to Multiplayer Games , it does lay the ground work to implementing your own UDP packet system, and if you really want to do that, then maybe it is a decent book, their implementation is by no mean perfect though, but if you want to use an existing API like direct play, dont bother.   [edited by - duke on February 17, 2004 7:40:18 PM]