Books Essential for HTML5 Game Development

Game development technologies are constantly evolving. Where you might of been a master in a particular field in the past, you can quickly start to question the simplest tasks as technology continues to change. Therefore it is crucial to always be reading and learning about your craft.

At the moment, it is critical to have a firm grasp upon HTML5 principles and specific game development procedures. Having a core understanding in HTML 5 as well as CSS (and perhaps a little bit of JavaScript) will greatly help you in your game development career as we progress through the 21st Century.
There are many amazing books that will help you stay up to date on this fairly new gaming development platform. Here is a list of the few more important ones that we recommend you pick up for your library.

HTML, XHTML, and CSS Bible

When making HTML5 games, you need to know HTML. If you’re like many people just getting started in the game development you may have very little to no knowledge about how HTML is constructed for functions. HTML, XHTML, and CSS fourth edition Bible by Stephen M. Schafer covers all aspects of HTML from head elements to dynamic HTML CSS and everything in between.

What is great about this book is that this establishes a core from which any game developer can branch out. The book is not software specific, so you are learning how to incorporate HTML5 into any software. This goes a long way in today’s game development world where software is constantly changing but the principles remain.

Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide (Big Nerd Ranch Guides)

The majority of games created for mobile devices are based on Android programming. There are several reasons for this, however, the easiest explanation is that Android platforms are in high abundance and therefore supply and demand requires more products to cover the market base. In Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide the book lays down the methodology used in programming android games. They break it down in a simple process so that both the novice and the professional can get a firm grasp on the concept presented. The book covers not only HTML5 concepts but also how to integrate your game within the Android program.

HTML5 Games: Creating Fun with HTML5, CSS3 and WebGL

Graphic designers and artists may perceive game programming as being somewhat technical and dull in comparison to other animation and multimedia options. This is not the case, however, and in the book HTML 5 games: creating fun with HTML 5, CSS3, and Web GL the emphasis is given to the fun and creative side of game development with HTML5.

Since the book is specifically oriented to mobile game development, the reader will be more capable of creating Phaser Framework based games, HTML5 games, and highly interactive games for mobile devices. The book even helps prepare the reader for team management and delegation of tasks within the game development process.

The Animators Survival Kit

Have you ever wondered why some games look realistic and others don’t? There are some games where the characters are especially fluid while another games the characters look choppy and the movements look fake. The reason for the latter has to do with not giving the animation side the attention it deserves. Richard William’s book The Animators survival Kit has long been the industry standard when it comes to animation and creating characters for your game.

By understanding the principles of animation (such as squash and stretch or follow through) the game will have a more fluid look and feel. Also, by understanding how a character is intended to move, the HTML5 can be coded in such a way as to ensure the best results for your character and user action.

Core HTML5 Canvas: Graphics, Animation, and Game Development (Core Series)

For those of you who prefer to read instructions and learning material from a more Scholastic point of view, then Core HTML5 Canvas by David Geary is for you. The book approaches HTML5 in the same manner that one could expect Game Development 101 in college would. The principles and the foundations are laid down but it’s done so in a tactical manner and without much of the glamour and glitz that you see in other books. The book is extremely helpful for those whom are transitioning from the design world to the technical world

These are just a few of the books that you can find on HTML 5. There are many more books, which are available on game development, HTML 5, CSS, JavaScript, and animation to help you with becoming an expert in game development. When doing research, it is always best to assess the weakest area in your understanding of a particular subject and then to build upon and strengthen that weakness.

Of course, a foundation in HTML is essential before you begin doing this. Apart from these books which can be found on Amazon.com, you are encouraged to seek out any information you may find useful to help you in your game development whether that be in a book, an online video, or structured instruction. The key is to never stop learning. Continue to evolve or else you run the risk of waking up one day and not recognizing the world around you.