I've recently started learning C++ again to get into game programming. Initially I was learning Flash/AS3 based engines, as I used to be quite a great AS2 programmer back in the day.

I want to learn to create cross-platform games, but want to get in the guts a bit more than, say, Unity lets you. So, C++ is what I decided on.

It's a beast of a language, I'll tell you that much, but it's actually really quite enjoyable to program in! It was the first real language I tried to learn when I was 12 years old. I got as far as making a text game with `switch' statements ;)

Definitely going to order this one I think. Coming from an ALGOL-derived language background for the most part, having something like this as a reference will be brilliant, and a good addition to go with my `Pro C++' book (handles architecture and idioms more than the language itself per se, but does cover some advanced features).

The only thing I wish I could find was a reference on how games are actually _built_: what development patterns, what tools I'll need to write, etc. All I can find are low-level OpenGL based things for writing engines, or fluffy "Design a Game!" crap. *sigh