Game Design Book at LVA

Well, my book on Casino Game Design made it to print with the Las Vegas Advisor/Huntington Press.
Quite a task, particularly in an effort to be comprehensive.
I generally don’t shill, but my advice: check out a copy and save a ton in terms of cash and effort - if on such a game design project.

Congratulations, Dan!

Should I at least post a "Peek Inside," or the Table of Contents?

Congrats Dan...my copy is ordered!

Quote: Paigowdan

Should I at least post a "Peek Inside," or the Table of Contents?

I certainly would. Or a link to amazon or LVA (I see the 1st post has an LVA link) so people can find it.

FWIW, I've bought about 20 books from LVA over the past couple of years. They mail fast and reasonably cheaply, so I can recommend them as a vendor for those interested in Dan's book.

Heading to Amazon now myself. Just wondering if it comes with a secret decoder ring ?

On a serious not does it say that several games can be bundled on one ppa/ just asking

The link to Las Vegas Advisor is in the first post (at http://www.shoplva.com/collections/blackjack/products/essentials-of-casino-game-design-the)

Table of Contents

Introduction
What Game Design Entails
The Legitimate Humdinger
Assembling an Initial Game Kit
Main Game Techniques
The Poker Eye Effect
Strategy Determination and Display
The Side Bet as a Stand-alone Product
Adding a side bet to a Main Game
Game Protection in Game Design
The Independent Mathematician
Technical Writing, Artwork, Demos, and the Submission Process
Intellectual Property: Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights
The Cutting Edge Table Games conference
Success and Handling Business Issues
Turning Pro Under a Raised Bar
Appendix A: Introduction to dice mathematics
Appendix B: Rack Card Strategy Examples
Appendix C: Independent math report

Quote: Paradigm

Congrats Dan...my copy is ordered!

+1000!

Quote: SAMIAM

Heading to Amazon now myself. Just wondering if it comes with a secret decoder ring ?

On a serious not does it say that several games can be bundled on one ppa/ just asking

The provisional patent application is recommended, and for one basic game mechanism. At $120 to $240 or so for a provisional filing (not writing), this is a small cost portion of one game, and I feel one basic game-idea-to-ppa is most manageable.

With a one year time frame to convert the provisional patent into a full Utility patent, you'll have a good idea if the game's prospects merit the expense; important to know.

And seriously, quite a few game development areas (and their sources of snafus) are decoded, so to speak.

Quote: Paigowdan

Well, my book on Casino Game Design made it to print with the Las Vegas Advisor/Huntington Press.
Quite a task, particularly in an effort to be comprehensive.
I generally don’t shill, but my advice: check out a copy and save a ton in terms of cash and effort - if on such a game design project.

Looks awesome. You should bundle a piece of software with this that helps your fellow inventors go step by step and file their provisionals. Once they're done with your book of course :).

Congrats Dan!

Quote: Paigowdan

Well, my book on Casino Game Design made it to print with the Las Vegas Advisor/Huntington Press.
Quite a task, particularly in an effort to be comprehensive.
I generally don’t shill, but my advice: check out a copy and save a ton in terms of cash and effort - if on such a game design project.

I'll shill for you, Dan was kind enough to send me a copy of the manuscript, in fact I am honored that it was because he was interested in my input...and it was absolutely excellent and a MUST for any game designer or would be game designer.

Quote: shrimpboatcapt

Looks awesome. You should bundle a piece of software with this that helps your fellow inventors go step by step and file their provisionals. Once they're done with your book of course :).

We thought about various Excel tools (as there are a some excel spreadsheets in the book explaining side bet and main game mechanisms, etc.),

For the provisional patents, we were planning to have some example ppa's in drop boxes also; there is a step-by-step process to it that the attorneys know well - with the patent attorneys best left to do this part. In the end, to add a "build your own Provisional" section would have been very long, and it is also fraught with too many risks as a task for a game designer, - when he or she must stay focused on the game design and gaming docs.

This is something that a gaming patent attorney can do readily and very efficiently from the Rules of Play, dealing procedures, and a math report, knowing the detail and the broadness required to describe the game accurately in the disclosure. Again, getting this exactly right is more tricky for the non-attorney game designer (as it is to lead into a critical full utility patent), - and where the consequences of messing this up are very great if the game is later infringed, or is accused of infringing another game.

Overall, we felt the book explains and details the processes and the short cuts very well as is, - and explains some stuff that you shouldn't try at home unless already a pro (like patents and the simulation math runs), you're shown what to supply and how to supply it to the patent attorney or independent mathematician so they'd get it done right and fairly cheaply for you , , .

Quote: Mission146

I'll shill for you, Dan was kind enough to send me a copy of the manuscript, in fact I am honored that it was because he was interested in my input...and it was absolutely excellent and a MUST for any game designer or would be game designer.

Thanks! I had a number of people vet the book early on.

M146 was one of them. Passing his check (as well as Anthony Curtis and Mike S.) I consider as proof that it is book focused solely on just the grit of game design.

Just ordered the book, Dan, and looking forward to reading it ... and also discussing it with you later this month. Remind me when we talk to tell you about an idea for a follow-up companion book.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congrats Dan!

Congrats Dan. Looking forward to reading it right after school finish my Elon Musk book.

Quote: RealizeGaming

Congrats Dan. Looking forward to reading it right after school finish my Elon Musk book.

Ah....that may be an equally interesting read....

The book is the subject of today's LVA Question of the Day.

Congrats Dan!


Note: Read it today, 9/8. Tomorrow that link will take you to a new QoD.

Quote: DJTeddyBear

The book is the subject of today's LVA Question of the Day.

Congrats Dan!


Note: Read it today, 9/8. Tomorrow that link will take you to a new QoD.

Thanks for the link. I'm definitely looking forward to reading it.

Okay. WOW......
A REALLY nice blurb by Deke Castleman (the Senior Editor of the Las Vegas Advisor - and also my editor on the book itself.)

VERY descriptive blurb - and totally up to date, even mentioning DEQ's buy out into - and absorption into - Scientific Games. Accurate and great, all in all a great QoD.

I had about 20 industry people read and vet the book, some here at this forum. About five were from the gaming laboratories (GLI and BMM), as well as gaming attorney Rich Newman. Mike Shackleford (Wizard), Roger S (Pacman), Geoff Hall ("Switch" at this forum), Mission146 (Pearce), and Dr. Noah Dean Of GLI/Gaming Laboratories International also. Many others also.

The book extensively mentions most of the good independent games - including DJTeddyBear/Dave Miller's Poker for Roulette game, - as the authentically novel roulette side bet that was picked up by Galaxy Gaming. Dave, I discuss your roulette side bet game in the brilliant way you reproduced the three-card Poker side bet for roulette Really - it is the BEST of the lot in Roulette side bets, and Rob Saucier, the CEO rightfully fell Totally in Love with it when shown. I AM very sorry that Galaxy Gaming is only pushing it in the United Kingdom, and not here in the States, but that is politics as well as geography in gaming,- so to speak. NO shortage on that, and that is also discussed in depth in the book in chapter 14. (See the table of contents earlier in the thread.)

Two other forum members' games were discussed in the book: MathExtremist's remarkable crap game side bets "Hard Pass" and "Point Right Back", - really great new prop bets for craps, - and Paradigm and Lucky's "Lucky Stiff" - were analyzed in detail. Note that the Lucky Stiff side bet DID make it to commercial success - with a footnote of Paradign's wife doing a "Sam Kinison"-type on him - "Well, Mister - where's da money, big shot...!:" - while waiting for that ship to come in. It did come in to a fine degree (with double-digit installs!!), and God bless Paradigm and Lucky.) For the record, my wife also stood by me during my game design periods, - and had opened up a successful Day Spa with some [a lot] of the EZ Pai Gow proceeds.

Most of the independent game designers are unknown to the forum, but ALL good stuff was analyzed and dissected for all game designers, budding and old pro alike. A very rough business to succeed in, but possible, that also described in detail.

Anyway Dave..DJ....thanks for the mention, - and you got a fine mention too. A VERY GOOD page out of 320 or so.

Salud!

Just received my copy today, looking forward to getting stuck into it.

Believe it or not, the game design book got a plug to day on ESPN radio The Las Vegas Sportsline 10/7/2016 .

Anthony Curtis was the guest, and it was part of The Las Vegas Advisor's big give-away; he mentioned it at 9 minutes in, then it was discussed at 23 minutes in, and praised at 24 minutes in by the hosts, as they often get asked "how does one go about getting a casino game made?"

A pleasant surprise, and very much appreciated.

+1. Congrats

The book has been gaining traction.

Now there's a review by Dr Dave Schwartz from the UNLV Center for Gaming Research, published by CDC Gaming Reports:
http://www.cdcgamingreports.com/commentaries/book-review-the-essentials-of-casino-game-design-from-the-cocktail-napkin-to-the-casino-floor/

Nice job Dan!

Thank you Dave Miller and Dave Schwartz!

Nice to see!

Quote: Paigowdan

Believe it or not, the game design book got a plug to day on ESPN radio The Las Vegas Sportsline 10/7/2016 .

Anthony Curtis was the guest, and it was part of The Las Vegas Advisor's big give-away; he mentioned it at 9 minutes in, then it was discussed at 23 minutes in, and praised at 24 minutes in by the hosts,d.

You forgot to mention he pitched his worthless casino coupon book at 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10,11,12,13 and 15 minutes in. He also told stories about how valuable the book is in the other minutes. He also told stories about coupon runs in the 90's where customers made $5.85 an hour in expected value using his tactics.

He also pitched off strip bars paying him to promote their current free play offers worth $20 on Sundays.

He forgot to mention his shilling for friends as big players on Spike TV Bar Rescue.

But congrats on the "free advertising ". We all justifiy it in the end my friend.

Well, I don't think Anthony Curtis or his Las Vegas Advisor is any sort of a bad outfit at all, if anything, it's an extremely useful source for gamblers of all stripes. For a modest subscription fee, I found the coupon book invaluable, and their Huntington Press publication a source of great gaming (and AP) books long before they considered my book effort, of which I am extremely grateful.

Your negative opinion of LVA doesn't take away from my book's merit, or the merits of the good things that LVA provides.

The review of the book by Dr. David Schwarz of the UNLV Center for Gaming Research has prestige.

All in all, I am very thankful.

Quote: Paigowdan

Well, I don't think Anthony Curtis or his Las Vegas Advisor is any sort of a bad outfit at all, if anything, it's an extremely useful source for gamblers of all stripes. For a modest subscription fee, I found the coupon book invaluable, and their Huntington Press publication a source of great gaming (and AP) books long before they considered my book effort, of which I am extremely grateful.

Your negative opinion of LVA doesn't take away from my book's merit, or the merits of the good things that LVA provides.

The review of the book by Dr. David Schwarz of the UNLV Center for Gaming Research has prestige.

All in all, I am very thankful.

Defend "invaluable" since you called it that.

Not debating the value of his overall business. Cullota's book was a good incite into a bygone era. The "Week at the Blue Angel" book is a part of LV history long forgotten, and yours may be.

But the coupon book and membership is a scam by him trying to hold on to a long gone era.

But my usual disclaimer is make all you can, while you can. I respect you for that.

Quote: Boz

Defend "invaluable" since you called it that.

I keep the LVA book in my car when I travel around Las Vegas. Such things as 25% off Binion's Steak house is a huge savings on a great dinner AND a great Vegas experience; so is two-for-one show tickets. Just about any casino in any area has a good perk in the coupon book. I can't complain.

Quote: Boz

Not debating the value of his overall business. Cullota's book was a good incite into a bygone era. The "Week at the Blue Angel" book is a part of LV history long forgotten, and yours may be.

This may be true, but I am thankful for the praise and recommendations my book has so far received. It very well defined this niche of game design technique, and as a more formal discipline. It might not be a big niche, but to me and many others it is an important area, and was worth the effort to publish, as short lived as you seem to hope it will be.

Quote: Boz

But the coupon book and membership is a scam by him trying to hold on to a long gone era.

I get real discounts from it, and many business get my patronage: I see this as a good thing, and little wrong in this.

Quote: Paigowdan

I keep the LVA book in my car when I travel around Las Vegas. Such things as 25% off Binion's Steak house is a huge savings on a great dinner AND a great Vegas experience; so is two-for-one show tickets. Just about any casino in any area has a good perk in the coupon book. I can't complain.


This may be true, but I am thankful for the praise and recommendations my book has so far received. It very well defined this niche of game design technique, and as a more formal discipline. It might not be a big niche, but to me and many others it is an important area, and was worth the effort to publish, as short lived as you seem to hope it will be.


I get real discounts from it, and many business get my patronage: I see this as a good thing, and little wrong in this.

Only going to say if you get value from it, you got your monies worth for it. I would question how many of the same coupons are available in free books out there. Perhaps a job for Mission. Would add value to the site, perhaps at the expense of a "friend " of the site. Comparing it to the ACG would be even better.

The advertising is invaluable to you, but don't use it as an ad for AC's deal without proof, or you can. We all have our gods we owe our justification to.

And today Curtis sends out deals on Dan's book. I get trying to sell your book and supporting those who help you, it's the American way. But don't expect me to accept your defense of his as non biased.

I again think it is a good challenge for Mission to compare the paid books to the free coupons available on the street. But even AC says to not buy his membership for the business alone. I give him credit for that.

Quote: Boz

I again think it is a good challenge for Mission to compare the paid books to the free coupons available on the street. But even AC says to not buy his membership for the business alone. I give him credit for that.

I'll do it next time I'm there, as long as that doesn't necessitate me using the coupons for hot, hot girls.

Quote: Boz

And today Curtis sends out deals on Dan's book. I get trying to sell your book and supporting those who help you, it's the American way. But don't expect me to accept your defense of his as non biased.

Biased? It isn't me. Very many people take the position that his products (books, newsletters, and LVA features and offers) are very good and that they certainly offer something positive and useful. If you and others disagree, fine, as many do agree.

I and others feel that LVA and Huntington press offer a lot to gamblers and the industry, and that's a good thing. He seeks to provide what he feels and believes are good things to offer, and many agree with him. I think Curtis deserves every bit of his success. I can't think of another outfit that is the go to place for things Las Vegas and gaming related to the degree that LVA and Huntington Press is. I'd be biased if I said they were good when they're were not. I am not biased if I say they're good, positive, and useful if they really are, as that's calling a strike a strike.

As for his Huntington Press, I am very pleased they think my book is very fine and that they were happy to publish it. I certainly think it is an extremely helpful book to anyone who wants to investigate or even commit to the process of getting a game out. When it received a great endorsement as to this exact goal and effect by the Center for Gaming Research at UNLV, I was impressed. I will say that while some have an attitude of "good for you, Dan, I am and proud and happy for you," others are very sour grapes and resentful about this for some reason, and so I see mixed responses from people, a mixed bag.