As many traditionally non-gamers are being introduced to the world of video games by the sudden popularity of the Wii, “Rock Band” and “Guitar Hero,” the video game field has become an even more enticing career prospect. If you’re serious about the world of digital entertainment, Digital Storytelling is a good introduction to the development side of the business.

This almost 500-page textbook offers explanations of the various gaming genres and other digital entertainment products at a level that even non-gamers can ease into. The book then gives a broad overview of the planning and implementation processes with real games used as examples. While this may not fully prepare you for a career in game development, it’s a good tool to start down the road. Grade: A- Digital Storytelling: A Creator’s Guide to Interactive Entertainment is currently available.