Now you can build your own games for Windows, Xbox 360, and Zune-as you learn the underlying skills and concepts for computer programming. Use this hands-on guide to dive straight into your first project-adding new tools and tricks to your arsenal as you go. No experience required!

Teach yourself how to program-and bring your game ideas to life!

• Learn XNA and C# fundamentals-and extend the challenge with each chapter
• Write code to create and control game behavior
• Build your game's display-colors, graphics, text, lighting, 3-D effects
• Capture and cue sounds
• Process input from gamepads and keyboards
• Add excitement to gameplay with timers, scoring, and survival
• Create multiplayer features
• Tweak existing games-and invent totally new ones