Five books every aspiring game developer should read
Engines change every year; good design thinking doesn't. These books are the ones we hand to new team members.
Tutorials teach you how to use a tool. Books teach you how to think. If you want to make games for a living, these are the ones we recommend first.
The Art of Game Design
Jesse Schell's collection of lenses is a toolkit for examining any game idea. Pick a lens, ask its questions and your design will improve.
Game Programming Patterns
Robert Nystrom explains the patterns that keep game code clean. It's the closest thing to a programmer's manual for building your own systems.
Game Design Workshop
Tracy Fullerton's exercise-driven approach to prototyping is perfect if you learn by doing. Grab some paper and dice and start building.
Level Up!
Scott Rogers writes with humour and real-world experience. It's especially good on level design and pacing.
How to read them
- Read one design book and one programming book at the same time.
- Build a small project after each chapter.
- Take notes on what you'd change in the games you love.
The fifth book? Whichever one you finish and apply. Reading doesn't help until you ship something.
