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> I'd strongly recommend it to anyone who writes software. In contrast, this opinion from another game developer is not positive: https://www.goodreads.com/re

by Leace 7y ago

> I'd strongly recommend it to anyone who writes software. In contrast, this opinion from another game developer is not positive: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/647929167?book_show_action=true https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/647929167?book_show_ac...

the_af 7y ago
If the book is anything like the freely available blog entries (at least, they used to be free) I read years ago, I vigorously disagree with that reviewer. They were fascinating. And mixing the coding, producing and business side of things only added to the interest. One thing I found hilarious was when Jordan comments how they got a young actress to motion capture the Princess. They were the prototypical geeks of the time, and he says they were shy and very embarrassed around her. We've come a long way... :P Also fun that Jordan got his brother to do some of the Prince's signature moves. In some parking lot or similar space, if I remember correctly.
Reedx 7y ago
Eh, I prefer Will Wright's perspective: "Jordan's journals are remarkable. I so wish I had kept a similar record. Reading them transports me back to that place and time. We all knew this was an exciting new industry, but I don't think we had any clue what it was going to turn into during our careers. There were no schools, no books, no theories covering what we were doing. Everyone was just figuring it out on their own. Following Jordan's creative path is a great example of how to go with your own gut instinct. It's also a great inspiration, showing how persistence and determination can lead to unexpected and wonderful results."
codyjones 7y ago
The reviewer is not wrong, though it certainly clouded his judgment of the book. The book needed more editing. Between the two journals, I really recommend The Making of Kareteka instead. It's more concise, and it shows Mechner at more of a formative age. Many of the things he did are easily related to, like not knowing what path to choose in life, cutting classes, taking transit because he didn't have a driver's license, or moving out for the first time. And even though it's a diary, it ends like a good story. Making of PoP is a hundred pages longer. Though interesting, Mechner's attempt to enter the movie industry, international travel, and the development of PoP 2 made the book unfocused. At the end it peters out and abruptly stops. I wonder if, of the two, it gets more attention because Prince of Persia is familiar to more people?

by Leace 7y ago

the_af 7y ago

If the book is anything like the freely available blog entries (at least, they used to be free) I read years ago, I vigorously disagree with that reviewer. They were fascinating. And mixing the coding, producing and business side of things only added to the interest. One thing I found hilarious was when Jordan comments how they got a young actress to motion capture the Princess. They were the prototypical geeks of the time, and he says they were shy and very embarrassed around her. We've come a long way... :P Also fun that Jordan got his brother to do some of the Prince's signature moves. In some parking lot or similar space, if I remember correctly.

Reedx 7y ago

Eh, I prefer Will Wright's perspective: "Jordan's journals are remarkable. I so wish I had kept a similar record. Reading them transports me back to that place and time. We all knew this was an exciting new industry, but I don't think we had any clue what it was going to turn into during our careers. There were no schools, no books, no theories covering what we were doing. Everyone was just figuring it out on their own. Following Jordan's creative path is a great example of how to go with your own gut instinct. It's also a great inspiration, showing how persistence and determination can lead to unexpected and wonderful results."

codyjones 7y ago

The reviewer is not wrong, though it certainly clouded his judgment of the book. The book needed more editing. Between the two journals, I really recommend The Making of Kareteka instead. It's more concise, and it shows Mechner at more of a formative age. Many of the things he did are easily related to, like not knowing what path to choose in life, cutting classes, taking transit because he didn't have a driver's license, or moving out for the first time. And even though it's a diary, it ends like a good story. Making of PoP is a hundred pages longer. Though interesting, Mechner's attempt to enter the movie industry, international travel, and the development of PoP 2 made the book unfocused. At the end it peters out and abruptly stops. I wonder if, of the two, it gets more attention because Prince of Persia is familiar to more people?