Lol I was going to do the same thing (get the game developer kit 3.0 for Christmas.) I also want to know if it is worth it, or should I just go out and buy the professional or standard version of C++?
The thing is the kit comes with a bunch of tools and books which maybe helpfull and it also includes an engine.
Game Programming Starter kit?
the thing i can say don't, its my opinion and u are free to not take it.
the game programming kit 3.0 has little to do with games, it has 2 online books about c++, a visual c++ introductory edition, the genesis sdk and directx 6.1 sdk, also another book thats softcover that has no info whatsoever, it only talks about strategies in the game bussines. It has no documentation that teaches how to program a game. i sujest get some of the new books that have come out that are game programming oriented. the kit is good for learning visual c++ but little to do about games. it seems the rest u have to figure out for urself.
p.s. its only my opinion, if you want 2 great books on visual c++ at the price them go for it, but ull have to buy something else to teach u about game and 3d programming
A game programming starter kit should not (in my opinion) contain a 3d game engine in it.
3D engines are advanced programming techniques and not for the unseasoned. I would worry that it would just confuse you and discurage you from wanting to make games. There are other types of game out there then 3D shooters. I believe that 2D is where you should start out from, then work your way up... slowly.
Once you are comfortable with programming games, you can easily download a 3D game engine for free off the internet.
If you think about it, everything that you are getting in the starter kit is freely avaliable off the internet.
I think that the best thing to get for chirstmas is a book on C++ and a book on Algorithmn (with examples in C++ syntax). I believe, if you ask around here, a lot of people just might agree with me. Then again, no matter what I write, I always get flamed. 
Good luck to you.
Aight, I bought some Game programming Starter Kit a while ago (version 2 I believe)....and there were 4 electronic books, 2 books of VC++ and 2 of DirectX and Direct3D.
it also came with VC++ 4.0 Starter Edition or something like that.
It cost me about $50......but for the money you have a VC++ WITH help. Which was useful. Now I bought myself the official stuff.......
I don't really recommend it to people......
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Dance with me......
I don't know anything about this game developing kit, but I would just throw some tips:
I sounds like this pack includes some C++ compilers; first I would like to know which compilers, and what type... I mean like Delphi's compiler has been on many magazines as "free compiler", but actually you cannot sell you products if its made with this free -trial.
Another thing is that if you don't know almost anything about C / C++ programming, I would like to give some book tips (yappiii ! 
ALL Andrew Lamothes books (sorry if I did spell wrong.), actually I'm getting he's new book: Gurus Windows Gameprogramming tips & tricks. I have heard that this book is very nice, and I have seen "older version" (I mean DOS edition, couple of years old) and it rox
This book tells "everything" (almost from beginning, how to load image files, how to make things move, and so on, and actually newbies CAN really understand text of he's.
Also I heard that "Windows Gameprogramming for Dummies" is good book, but this "gurus tips & tricks" book includes everything and more than Dummies book.
One to recommend is "learn C++ programming in 21 days". Of course its b-shit name, but it covers very basic information about C programming.
I have been programming C for one year right now, and I have to say that I got bad start for programming... I were thinking that its very easy to tell "draw this to point x,y", but actually new developers need to get basics of C programming...
Maybe I'm just speaking very basic stuff and you guys know already little about C programming, but anyway
When I bought the Game developing kit, it was v1.0 . It included Visual C++ v1.0. This doesn't help very much. LaMothe's Learn game programming in 21 days ( or similar title) is a very good introduction. Granted, it focuses on games for DOS, but the underlying teachings can be carried over to another platform. (ie. what is a sprite, how to draw a line, and various other neat tid bits)
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So basiclly, y'all are saying that this would be a pretty bad thing for a begineer to get? Damn, i think thought i'm already getting it. Maybe theres still time ...
Some of you are recommending diffrent books which are probeblt very good but you must remeber that to program in C++ I need a compiler which the game developers kit has.
I wasn't planning to use the 3D engine anytime soon but I do need Visual C++ and I need to learn how to program.
If these other books you recommend come with a compiler then thats great I'll ge them!
I wasn't planning to use the 3D engine anytime soon but I do need Visual C++ and I need to learn how to program.
If these other books you recommend come with a compiler then thats great I'll ge them!
Side note, I think anyone who can make simple programs in C, could USE a 3d game engine, the hard thing is to write one. I no
For anyone new to game programming but somewhat familiar with C/C++, I'd HIGHLY recommend LaMothe's Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus. It has everything you need to get started, including the introductory version of Visual C++.
The Game Programming Starter Kit is probably not worth the money, especially considering that many of its so-called "bonuses" can be obtained for free online (i.e. the Genesis 3D and DirectX SDKs).
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