I searched but couldn't find a current or up-to-date answer to this question.

I'm looking to purchase a Game Design book, that is still applicable to 2012 gaming industry standards, many I've seen have been published a while back and with the speed the industry has evolved, I would believe a more current publish date would be beneficial since it would be more inclusive of new tech, processes, etc.

Basically, I want to achieve a better understanding of game design and development processes, production pipelines, game design documentation... everything that takes a game design idea or concept all the way to gold master. Focusing more on production, business and marketing aspects rather than code and/or art design tutorials (not yet at least, because I will be digging into this later!).

So far, I've compiled this list:

Game Development Essentials: An Introduction (Third Edition) / August 2011
(may be too light a read and not detailed enough?)
http://www.amazon.ca...osim/gamedev-20

The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses / August 2008
(sounds like a great book to read, once I'm already in development of a game, but not for learning more about the basic or cornerstone intricacies of game development/design)
http://www.amazon.ca..._pr_product_top

Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design / June 2010
(this has game design document creation, business insight, covers entire creation process, and the date is not too far off... could this be the one?)
http://www.amazon.ca...X/ref=pd_cp_b_1

Introduction to Game Development / June 2005
(this one seems perfect, but it's an oldie!)
http://www.amazon.ca...46791374&sr=8-1

The Game Production Handbook / January 2006
(another oldie, which has everything I need, and apparently follows IGDA curriculum guidelines... from 2006)
http://www.amazon.ca...46791535&sr=8-1

I would greatly appreciate if you could weigh in on my choices or suggest other books to consider.

Many Thanks in advance for your help!


A brief background for you to know where I'm coming from: Until recently, I was a producer and creative director for an animation and interactive studio, focused on services for brands/companies. I'm taking some time off to study and immerse myself in the video game industry, with the hopes of getting into it as a Games Designer or open up my own shop.

I searched but couldn't find a current or up-to-date answer to this question.

I'm looking to purchase a Game Design book, that is still applicable to 2012 gaming industry standards, many I've seen have been published a while back and with the speed the industry has evolved, I would believe a more current publish date would be beneficial since it would be more inclusive of new tech, processes, etc.

Basically, I want to achieve a better understanding of game design and development processes, production pipelines, game design documentation... everything that takes a game design idea or concept all the way to gold master. Focusing more on production, business and marketing aspects rather than code and/or art design tutorials (not yet at least, because I will be digging into this later!).

So far, I've compiled this list:

Game Development Essentials: An Introduction (Third Edition) / August 2011
(may be too light a read and not detailed enough?)
http://www.amazon.ca...osim/gamedev-20

The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses / August 2008
(sounds like a great book to read, once I'm already in development of a game, but not for learning more about the basic or cornerstone intricacies of game development/design)
http://www.amazon.ca..._pr_product_top

Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design / June 2010
(this has game design document creation, business insight, covers entire creation process, and the date is not too far off... could this be the one?)
http://www.amazon.ca...X/ref=pd_cp_b_1

Introduction to Game Development / June 2005
(this one seems perfect, but it's an oldie!)
http://www.amazon.ca...46791374&sr=8-1

The Game Production Handbook / January 2006
(another oldie, which has everything I need, and apparently follows IGDA curriculum guidelines... from 2006)
http://www.amazon.ca...46791535&sr=8-1

I would greatly appreciate if you could weigh in on my choices or suggest other books to consider.

Many Thanks in advance for your help!


A brief background for you to know where I'm coming from: Until recently, I was a producer and creative director for an animation and interactive studio, focused on services for brands/companies. I'm taking some time off to study and immerse myself in the video game industry, with the hopes of getting into it as a Games Designer or open up my own shop.