This tutorial reference for students, hobbyists, and independent developers focuses on core components of game engines and introduces tools and equipment needed to build game engines, such as compilers, IDEs, and software development kits. Material on design and implementation of both 2D and 3D game engines is illustrated with examples, b&w screenshots, code, and exercises. The first part of the book reviews theory and design issues, and the second part sets out implementation of a game engine in the C++ language. About 30 pages of appendices offers tools, libraries, keyboard scan codes, format constants, and licenses. Thorn, a game developer, programmer, and consultant, has written other books on game programming. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)