massively multiplayer

Massively Multiplayer Game Development (Game Development Series)
$59.95
This book is exactly what I've been looking (and wishing) for!! I feel terrible that I found it FIVE years after it's been out!
I'm a hobbyist game programmer, a senior in high school, and I've been wanting to make my own MMOG since late middle school. Of course, back then my vision was more... general, unrealistic, overenthusiastic. But over these past few years, as I have matured and gained experience in programming, I've been building up to the time when I had a clear view of what I wanted and exactly how to get there, and especially how much work would be involved. I've taught myself all about general game programming using several other books, but the whole time my goal has been a MMO, and while the books taught general game development, none of them really mentioned how to develop on a 'massive' scale - even the books concerning online games. Finally, I've found one that's not only focused on MMOGs, but has exactly the information I want.
I have researched plenty books and websites, but this is a HUGE source of information that I couldn't find anywhere else! Tips on how to organize server farms, complete UML code explaining a full MMORPG framework, tips on server and client development, etc. - just read the table of contents. This book is out of print, but if you are looking to make a Massively Multiplayer game, get your hands on it immediately!!
Another great aspect of the book is that at the end of each separate article, there is a list of resources. It's like a bibliography of the articles that the editor used to compile the article, including the original article itself and any additional sources used. This referred me to several other great game design books that I never would have considered.
If you have questions, like I had, about how to synchronize objects between client and server, how to handle movement and collision detection, how to design and implement the back-end database, how to protect from 'rogue' players (commonly called 'hackers') and so on, this book will answer all those questions and more.

I am writing this review from the perspective of both programmer and designer (well, whole-game-maker, but I've got a couple friends so I consider those my primary roles) - and the programmer will get a whole lot out of this book. A designer will also get some great ideas, and I have not yet read a lot of this book (especially the section meant for designers), so I'm sure I'm underestimating.

A single warning though: You should already have a pretty clear vision of what kind of game you want to make, and in the case of a programmer, have a thorough understanding of the programming language, and all the systems of a game - especially graphics and networking. The book describes thoroughly all the processes but does not go into details about how to form and transmit packets, so you'll have to look into that elsewhere (read up on sockets, possibly the library RakNet, for more info).

Overall, this is a great book, and I would rate it higher if I could! I may even consider getting MMGD 2 now that I've seen the high quality of this one!

Freaky Creatures Merasha Add On Creature Pack - Windows And Mac
$5.99
Freaky Creatures combines the best of online multiplayer gaming, collectible action figures, virtual worlds and social networking. Take your creatures online and customize it with parts and powers to create one of 3.2 billion possible combinations. Once you have created your unique creature, jump straight into battle or build a lair where you can care for your creature and hang out with friends. Visit the community to personalize your own homepage, play mini-games, join tournaments, check leaderboards, trade items, read animated comics, enter contest, form teams, and much more in the ever expanding Freaky Creatures Universe. The Merasha live in the Oceans of Aquia and are extremely intelligent. They create nests deep in the ocean and decorate them with beautiful seashells. Amazing as it sounds the vocal vibrations generated by the Merashas are quite powerful, which is evident by the coral formations that have actually been shaped by their singing. Add-On Package Includes:

Star Trek Online
$49.99
Escape to the immersive multiplayer Star Trek universe in Star Trek Online. Captain your own customized ship, forge your allegiance and wage battle with your own customized crew ¡¾ across strange new worlds and into the deepest reaches of the final frontier. Set 30 years after Star Trek Nemesis, the universe is a much more dangerous place. The Klingons and Federation are on the verge of all out war. YOU ARE THE CAPTAIN Every player will begin the game as ¡Ècaptain¡É of a starship. You are the pilot in space, and the hero on the away team. Build your bridge crew from recruited and created characters. Define abilities and personalities to determine the tactics and strengths of your party. Build reputation and influence as you grow from a lieutenant to an admiral of Starfleet! Higher rank enables more powerful ships, a larger crew and new abilities. ABOVE AND BELOW Navigate your starship through the known and unknown regions of the galaxy. Explore undiscovered regions of space, full of solar phenomena, strange alien planets and bizarre species. Discover strange new worlds, and beam down with your away teams to alien planets. Your bridge officers will affect your space and planetside game ? your science officer may increase ship speed in space, and be a great diplomat on the surface. BELOVED UNIVERSE Become an officer in the Klingon Military or the Federation's Starfleet and adventure in the future of the Star Trek Universe. Interact with classic locations of Trek history ?from the wormhole of Deep Space Nine to the Guardian at the End of the Universe. Recruit or battle heroes from classic star trek species ? logical Vulcans, diabolical Romulans, shifty Ferengi and many more! ULTIMATE DISCOVERY Command a Klingon or Federation ship across a limitless galaxy. Discover, explore and develop your crew in an endless range of encounters. Randomly generated quadrants give players unlimited opportunities (In addition to ¡Èestablished¡É systems).

Sega GT Online
$19.95
Sega GT has been good since the Dreamcast days, and this version is a steady improvement from GT 2002. The biggest problem with 2002 was the lack of tracks, and there are new ones here, along with the obligatory new cars. Overall, the new cars, tracks, and somewhat improved graphics make this a more well-rounded game. While not the prettiest car sim, it does deliver the Gran Turismo PS2 style experience, and for a decent price since the day of its release.

Until Forza Motorsport hits the shelves, this is the one to buy for career mode racing with a wide selection of cars.