Beginning C++ Game Programming

by John Horton

Learn C++ from scratch and get started building your very own games About This Book - This book offers a fun way to learn modern C++ programming while building exciting 2D games - This beginner-friendly guide offers a fast-paced but engaging approach to game development - Dive headfirst into building a wide variety of desktop games that gradually increase in complexity - It is packed with many suggestions to expand your finished games that will make you think critically, technically, and creatively Who This Book Is For This book is perfect for you if any of the following describes you: You have no C++ programming knowledge whatsoever or need a beginner level refresher course, if you want to learn to build games or just use games as an engaging way to learn C++, if you have aspirations to publish a game one day, perhaps on Steam, or if you just want to have loads of fun and impress friends with your creations. What You Will Learn - Get to know C++ from scratch while simultaneously learning game building - Learn the basics of C++, such as variables, loops, and functions to animate game objects, respond to collisions, keep score, play sound effects, and build your first playable game. - Use more advanced C++ topics such as classes, inheritance, and references to spawn and control thousands of enemies, shoot with a rapid fire machine gun, and realize random scrolling game-worlds - Stretch your C++ knowledge beyond the beginner level and use concepts such as pointers, references, and the Standard Template Library to add features like split-screen coop, immersive directional sound, and custom levels loaded from level-design files - Get ready to go and build your own unique games! In Detail This book is all about offering you a fun introduction to the world of game programming, C++, and the OpenGL-powered SFML using three fun, fully-playable games. These games are an addictive frantic two-button tapper, a multi-level zombie survival shooter, and a split-screen multiplayer puzzle-platformer. We will start with the very basics of programming, such as variables, loops, and conditions and you will become more skillful with each game as you move through the key C++ topics, such as OOP (Object-Orientated Programming), C++ pointers, and an introduction to the Standard Template Library. While building these games, you will also learn exciting game programming concepts like particle effects, directional sound (spatialization), OpenGL programmable Shaders, spawning thousands of objects, and more. Style and approach This book offers a fun, example-driven approach to learning game development and C++. In addition to explaining game development techniques in an engaging style, the games are built in a way that introduces the key C++ topics in a practical and not theory-based way, with multiple runnable/playable stages in each chapter.

Genres: Programming

467 pages, ebook

Published October 7, 2016

Reviews

[Darin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading several books on beginning programming to get a better sense of what is available to people who are exploring it for the first time (I've been in the industry for more than 25 yrs). The three projects that are produced as part of the book have a good amount of functionality, and the later projects touch more on the ideas of good code organization. Concepts like object-oriented programming are also put in play through the use of the open-source graphics library used. Completing these projects will also give someone experience with using and navigation Microsoft Visual Studio (version 2015 is used in the book).

Working through the examples made me realize how much of a learning curve there is for C++ if you're seeing it for the first time, but other than a few typos where actual code is embedded in comments a novice shouldn't have any problem getting the code to work. The source is also available for download along with all the graphics and audio files needed.

[Nick Jaremek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the games presented in this book are not professional-grade, they serve as a well introduction to the core concepts involved in making a game.

The C++ programming language is also nicely introduced in a progressive manner. Perhaps the author could have used programming patterns more extensively, but overall, the book is nice to dive a little bit into actual game development.

Of course, real videogames are more complex, better structured in terms of code and assets, but with this book a journey in game development can actually begin.

[Joseph Le · Rating 2 out of 5]

some good examples and clear in the first 3/4, but the later chapters did poorly at explaining what was going on

[Kornél Tóth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a computer science MSc student, so not part of the target audience. I've picked up the book to brush up my knowledge on OOP paradigms and learn some more high level graphical library (I've had hard times with OpenGL). In terms of my expectations the book delivers.

The target audience as the book states are beginners of programming. I would say, that the book is readable for people who have some experience in programming. I don't think that C++ should be the first language someone picks up. Because of this "beginner friendly" attitude the book provides minimal theoretical background and a huge emphasis on practice.

If you are not an absolute beginner, and want to get into game programming, than this is a book I would recommend.