The 16 Best Game Design Books

If you're looking for the best game design books to buy online, look no further than this compiled list. We've gathered together a selection of books that are sure to please, whether you're looking.

So what are you waiting for? Start browsing and find your next great read today!

Our Favorite game design books:

SaleBestseller No. 1

The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Third Edition

  • Schell, Jesse (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 652 Pages - 08/27/2019 (Publication Date) - A K Peters/CRC Press (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 2

Level Up! The Guide to Great Video Game Design

  • Rogers, Scott (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 560 Pages - 04/28/2014 (Publication Date) - Wiley (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 3

Fundamentals of Game Design

  • Adams, Ernest (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 576 Pages - 12/17/2013 (Publication Date) - New Riders (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 4

Theory of Fun for Game Design

  • Used Book in Good Condition
  • Koster, Raph (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 300 Pages - 12/17/2013 (Publication Date) - O'Reilly Media (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 5

Games, Design and Play: A detailed approach to iterative game design

  • Macklin, Colleen (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 288 Pages - 06/03/2016 (Publication Date) - Addison-Wesley Professional (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 6

Game Programming Patterns

  • Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
  • Nystrom, Robert (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 354 Pages - 11/02/2014 (Publication Date) - Genever Benning (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 7

Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games, Fourth Edition

  • Fullerton, Tracy (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 522 Pages - 08/27/2018 (Publication Date) - A K Peters/CRC Press (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 8

Designing Modern Strategy Games (Studies in Game Design Book 1)

  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Phillies, George (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 576 Pages - 06/24/2017 (Publication Date)
Bestseller No. 9

Introduction to Game Systems Design (Game Design)

  • Gazaway, Dax (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 384 Pages - 08/17/2021 (Publication Date) - Pearson (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 10

The Ultimate Guide to Video Game Writing and Design

  • Dille, Flint (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 272 Pages - 01/08/2008 (Publication Date) - Lone Eagle (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 11

How to Make a Video Game All By Yourself: 10 steps, just you and a computer

  • Hackett, Matt (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 215 Pages - 03/12/2022 (Publication Date) - Matt Hackett (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 12

Juniper Books Song of Ice and Fire (A Game of Thrones) Book Series | 5-Volume Hardcover Book Set with Custom Designed Dust Jackets | Books Published by Bantam | Author George R. R. Martin

  • CUSTOM DUST JACKETS designed and printed by Juniper Books, on high quality paper to appear like intricate antique leather and metal bound books. Books come with maps printed on the endpaper of each volume. These beautifully designed jackets will look great on any collector’s bookshelf.
  • ONE OF A KIND SET that includes the first six books of the A Song of Ice and Fire Series written by George R. R. Martin: Fire & Blood, A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons.
  • PERFECT FOR FANS OF fantasy, adventure, or fiction novels. Or those wanting to read the books the Game of Thrones HBO show is based on!
  • MAKES A PERFECT GIFT for any occasion: Birthday, Wedding, Anniversary, or Holiday! Perfect for that person on your list who owns everything!
  • MAKE YOUR BOOKSHELVES BEAUTIFUL with the help of Juniper Books' specially designed custom book and jackets only sets that have been transforming shelves since 2001. Click “Add to Cart” now.
SaleBestseller No. 13

Designing Games: A Guide to Engineering Experiences

  • Used Book in Good Condition
  • Sylvester, Tynan (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 413 Pages - 03/26/2013 (Publication Date) - O'Reilly Media (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 14

Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design: An Encyclopedia of Mechanisms

  • Engelstein, Geoffrey (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 626 Pages - 03/03/2022 (Publication Date) - CRC Press (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 15

Elements of Game Design

  • Hardcover Book
  • Zubek, Robert (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 256 Pages - 08/18/2020 (Publication Date) - The MIT Press (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 16

Make Your Own Board Game: Designing, Building, and Playing an Original Tabletop Game

  • Daniels, Jesse Terrance (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 144 Pages - 08/30/2022 (Publication Date) - Storey Publishing, LLC (Publisher)

When it comes to buying game design books, there are a few things you need to keep in mind in order to get the best possible deal. The first thing you need to do is set a budget for yourself. Decide how much money you are willing to spend on a book before you start shopping. This will help you narrow down your choices and make sure you don't overspend. Keep in mind that many stores offer discounts for purchasing multiple books at once. So, if you're looking to buy more than one book, it's definitely worth checking the store’s discount policy.

Another option to get the best deal on game design books is to wait for sales. Major retailers will often have sales on popular titles a few times per year. By waiting for a sale, you can usually get a book at a significantly lower price than the regular retail price.

Finally, it is important to think about where you will be reading the book. If you plan on reading the book primarily at home, then it does not make sense to spend a lot of money on a hardcover edition. However, if you plan on traveling with the book or taking it to the beach, then spending a bit more money on a durable edition makes sense.

Here are a few tips to help you buy the best game design books:

  1. Look for well-reviewed game design books. Checking out what other readers have said about a book can give you a good idea of whether it's worth your time. You can find reviews online or in newspapers and magazines.
  2. Consider the author's reputation. If you're familiar with an author's other work and liked it, there's a good chance you'll enjoy their new book.
  3. Think about what you want to get out of the book. If you're looking for a light read, something funny, or a book that will make you think, you can narrow down your options by looking for books that fit those descriptions.
  4. Check the price. Sometimes, you can find great deals on new game design books. But be careful of cheaply made books, they might not be worth your money.
  5. Take a look at the return policy. Some online stores will not accept returns on certain items, so it's important to know what the policy is before buying anything.
  6. Ask for recommendations. Talk to your friends, family, and fellow book lovers to see if they have any suggestions.

By doing all of these things, you can be sure that you're getting the best possible deal on game design books when you shop online.