December Education Updates

Hi Everyone!

This post is primarily for teachers, but please feel free to comment.

As part of our continued commitment to provide the best computer games educational resources, GarageGames is please to announce the launch of two new books, the Torque X 3D Beta and open enrollment for our next Torque Boot Camp.

Books

"Torque for Teens" by Mike Duggan
(http://www.garagegames.com/mg/snapshot/view.php?qid=1549)

Torque for Teens' is aimed at young developers interested in 3D game development. From the Publisher's description: " Written in simple language, each chapter begins with a basic overview of the topic being covered, followed by step-by-step instructions to help you conquer each new skill presented, and ending with a summary to reinforce what you've learned. Throughout the course of the book you will put your new skills into action with a hands-on project that ends with the creation of a first-person shooter game. Before you begin creating the game, you'll get a quick technical introduction to the Torque Game Engine, followed by a lesson on how to create a basic game outline."

"Creating Game Art for 3D Engines" by Brad Strong
(http://www.amazon.com/Creating-Game-Art-Engines-Development/dp/1584505486/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1196759843&sr=8-1)

"Creating Game Art for 3D Engines" is long awaited book on navigating the Torque Art Pipeline. From the Publisher's description: "Creating Game Art for 3D Engines is the ideal guide for the serious student or aspiring animator who wants to learn how to create and successfully export game art, from simple shapes to full-blown characters. Using Autodesk 3ds Max to generate models and animations, and Torque as the 3D game engine, the book provides step-by-step instructions on how to model, unwrap, texture, rig, export, and script all of the essential art assets required for a game. Unlike other books that cover only art creation, Creating Game Art for 3D Engines teaches you how to create art specifically with the game engine in mind. All of the principles and techniques are universal and can be applied to any 3D software or game engine."

Torque X 3D Beta

After 18 months of hard work, GarageGames is pleased to announce the open Beta of Torque X 3D. Read the full announcement here: (http://www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=69728)

Or download the Beta directly: ( http://www.garagegames.com/products/124/)

Torque X for Teachers Boot Camp at The Guildhall at SMU
Jan. 17th -19th

Just in time for the winter term, GarageGames will be holding our first Boot Camp of 2008 on location in Plano TX at The Guildhall at SMU. This boot camp session is specially designed for teacher interested in using Microsoft XNA and Torque X in the classroom. GarageGames' Executive Trainer, Stephen Zepp will co-facilitate this session with Envy Games' John Kanalakis. John is the author of the upcoming book "The Complete Guild to Torque X." Early release bound galleys of "The Complete Guide to Torque X" will be on hand and available for pre-order to conference attendees. Student pricing is available for students attending with a teacher.

More info on this boot camp can be found here: (http://www.garagegames.com/products/training/)

For more information on The Guildhall at SMU visit: (http://guildhall.smu.edu/)

Happy Holidays : )

--davey