Colophon
Our look is the result of reader comments, our own experimentation, and feedback from distribution channels. Distinctive covers complement our distinctive approach to technical topics, breathing personality and life into potentially dry subjects.
The animal on the cover of AI for Game Developers is a Ring-tailed lemur. Ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta) are found solely in Madagascar, an island off the coast of southeast Africa.
Ring-tailed lemurs have a distinctive bushy tail with alternating bands of black and white rings. Their tails can reach lengths of up to 25 inches. They also have a black, pointed muzzle, which is typical among the various species of lemur. These lemurs prefer relatively open areas, such as rocky plains and desert areas, and typically travel on the ground, although they will sometimes walk on large limbs in trees. This differentiates them from other lemur species, which usually prefer forested areas and travel almost exclusively in trees.
Similar to cats, Ring-tailed lemurs have a reflective layer in the back of their eyes. This allows them to have excellent night vision. Their tails are highly scented, and are used to warn other lemurs of approaching danger. The tails are also an integral part of the mating process. The males will use their scent to try and attract the females, and vicious “stink fights” can often erupt within the group.
Ring-tailed lemurs live in groups of between five and thirty members. They have distinct hierarchies that are enforced by frequent, aggressive confrontations between members. Females, who stay in the group for their entire lives, dominate the group. Males will often change groups at least once during their lifetimes.
Living in arid habitats, Ring-tailed lemurs quench their thirst with juicy fruits. They will also eat leaves, flowers, insects, and tree gum.
Like most lemurs, Ring-tails have only one baby in any given year, although twins or even triplets are common when food is plentiful. Newborns are quite helpless and are carried around by the mother in her mouth until they can hold on to her fur by themselves. They will then ride around on the mother’s back. They first begin to climb after about three weeks and are usually independent after six months. They can live for up to 27 years in the wild.
Darren Kelly was the production editor, Audrey Doyle was the copyeditor, and Kathryn Geddie was the proofreader for AI for Game Developers. Matt Hutchinson provided production assistance. Claire Cloutier provided quality control. TechBooks, Inc. provided production services and Ronald Prottsman wrote the index.
Ellie Volckhausen designed the cover of this book, based on a series design by Edie Freedman. The cover image is a 19th-century engraving from Royal Natural History. Emma Colby produced the cover layout with QuarkXPress 4.1 using Adobe’s ITC Garamond font.
David Futato designed the interior layout. Techbooks, Inc. implemented the design. The illustrations that appear in the book were produced by Robert Romano and Jessamyn Read using Macromedia FreeHand 9 and Adobe Photoshop 6. This colophon was written by Darren Kelly.