Check out my
new book!
HTML5 Games book
My book: HTML5 Games: Creating Fun with HTML5, CSS3 and WebGL
I just finished writing a book! How cool is that?

HTML5 Games: Creating Fun with HTML5, CSS3 and WebGL
ISBN: 978-1-1199-7508-3
Paperback, ~416 pages
Due out in January 2012


Writing a book is crazy. Like eating strawberries while stabbing yourself in the leg. Painful yet delicious. I have massive respect for people who can just put words on paper like it was nothing.

This has easily been one of the most difficult tasks I've put myself in front of, which I suppose is why I haven't been doing much around here lately. That should hopefully change now that I get some free time again. Anyway, for the past 6 months or so, I've been working on my first book, titled HTML5 Games - Creating Fun with HTML5, CSS3 and WebGL. It's all about HTML5 and related technologies and how they can be utilized in the context of game development on the Web and on mobile devices. It's not out yet but it should be in a few months (edit: it is now out!). Amazon links further down.

Here's a short blurp about it, made by Wiley (my publisher):
Discover new opportunities for building 2D and 3D games with HTML5

The newest iteration of HTML, HTML5 can be used with JavaScript, CSS3, and WebGL to create beautiful, unique, engaging games that can be played on the web or mobile devices like the iPad or Android phones. Gone are the days where games were only possible with plugin technologies such as Flash and this cutting-edge book shows you how to utilize the latest open web technologies to create a game from scratch using Canvas, HTML5 Audio, WebGL, and WebSockets. You'll discover how to build a framework on which you will create your HTML5 game. Then each successive chapter covers a new aspect of the game, including user input, sound, multiplayer functionality, 2D and 3D graphics, and more.
  • Aims directly at a new way to develop games for the web through the use of HTML5
  • Demonstrates how to make iOS and Android web apps
  • Explains how to capture player input; create 3D graphics; and incorporate textures, lighting, and sound
  • Guides you through the process of creating a game from scratch using Canvas, HTML5 Audio, WebGL, and WebSockets
  • By the end of this invaluable book, you will have created a fully functional game that can be played in any compatible browser or on any mobile device that supports HTML5>
If you'd like to buy it, consider using the Amazon affiliate links below, so I can earn a few extra coins.
⇓ 22 comments Anonymous

Hi, thanks for the book! Will it be available as ebook?

September 29, 2011 at 11:00 PM
Jacob Seidelin

Yes, there will be an e-book version as well although I don't have the details yet.

September 30, 2011 at 1:25 AM
noumeno

Wow, congrats, How extensive is it in WebGL games?

September 30, 2011 at 5:48 PM
Jacob Seidelin

There's a single chapter on WebGL, roughly 50-60 pages. Enough to get started with WebGL but nothing too advanced.

October 1, 2011 at 1:44 PM
Anonymous

Awesome work -- can't wait till it's out!

October 1, 2011 at 2:22 PM
Elliot Winkler

Nice! Well if anyone's an expert on HTML5, it's clearly you. Err... but... that typo on the front cover isn't going to be in the final release, is it?? ("Creating fun with HMTL5")

October 7, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Jacob Seidelin

Haha, hopefully not. I already reported that error. Thanks :-)

October 9, 2011 at 2:42 AM
JimBeeUK

Ace work! Can see why you were busy now.. Pre-order placed already.

October 9, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Stainless

Can you post a the Intro, Chapters, First Chapter as a PDF to allow us to see how it is written?

Thanks!

October 26, 2011 at 4:44 PM
Jacob Seidelin

Maybe when it's closer to release, I'll have to ask my publisher about that.

October 27, 2011 at 12:20 AM
Stainless

Please do... Just like Head First HTML5 Programming at O'reilly here: http://cdn.oreilly.com/oreilly/booksamplers/9781449390549_sampler.pdf it provides enough information to see if the user is going to like how the book is written. I hope that this takes off for you!!! I am currently taking the HTML5 Audio & Video and HTML5 Games training that WC3 is offering... Can you be a guest speaker, once the training for the HTML5 Games training starts?

October 27, 2011 at 10:39 AM
Stainless

Oh, here is the URL for the WC3 Training: http://www.w3techcourses.com and the teacher is Michal Budzynski http://www.w3techcourses.com/user/view.php?id=1173&course=1

October 27, 2011 at 10:42 AM
Unknown

yes man i agree with your words it is really very difficult to write in your words, but i really appreciate you post and i enjoy reading your post, really awesome work from your side.

Regards:
Sarees

December 2, 2011 at 1:37 AM
felix

It's a nice book so far!

Would it be possible to provide the code of this book, please? I am not able to download the code samples and the provided link of the book seems to be broken: http://www.wiley.com/go/html5games.com

That would be great! :-)

December 27, 2011 at 10:26 AM
Jacob Seidelin

Hi Felix,

Thanks!

Oops, looks like Wiley made a mistake with the link. I've emailed them about the problem but until then, you can find the files at: http://www.wiley.com/go/html5games

Please consider reviewing/rating it on Amazon if you like the book. Cheers!

December 27, 2011 at 2:52 PM
Unknown

Hi Jacob,

I've just bought the kindle version and I enjoy it, also reading the Canvas Foundation book at same time for better understand.

Nice book, hope you write one about more advanced webgl, I'd like to create some 3d content understanding how it works in deep without something like three.js

Regards,
Ciul

January 23, 2012 at 12:42 PM
MichaelJW

Congrats, excellent work!

January 27, 2012 at 3:51 PM
Ink hearted

Im in Uruguay, nor ebay or amazon will sell me your book =(

May 9, 2012 at 3:30 PM
Unknown

I offer the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions like the one you bring up where the most important thing will be working in honest good faith.

August 24, 2012 at 12:38 AM
Unknown

Great book Jacob !!

I'm currently working may through it. Well written and full of really useful information.

John

December 30, 2012 at 10:01 AM
dscamahorn

Hi Jacob. Does the Sample Code result in a fully functioning game? I am trying to figure out how it should work when it is complete.

July 24, 2013 at 11:33 AM
dscamahorn

It appears that the game mechanics of swapping a jewel work in Chapter 8's sample code but in Chapter 9 it does not work.

July 24, 2013 at 12:34 PM
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