Beginning C++ Game Programming: Learn to to Program with C++ By Building Fun Games

by John Horton

Get to grips with programming techniques and game development using C++ libraries and Visual Studio 2019 The second edition of Beginning C++ Game Programming is updated and improved to include the latest features of Visual Studio 2019, SFML, and modern C++ programming techniques. With this book, you'll get a fun introduction to game programming by building five fully playable games of increasing complexity. You'll learn to build clones of popular games such as Timberman, Pong, a Zombie survival shooter, a coop puzzle platformer and Space Invaders. The book starts by covering the basics of programming. You'll study key C++ topics, such as object-oriented programming (OOP) and C++ pointers, and get acquainted with the Standard Template Library (STL). The book helps you learn about collision detection techniques and game physics by building a Pong game. As you build games, you'll also learn exciting game programming concepts such as particle effects, directional sound (spatialization), OpenGL programmable shaders, spawning objects, and much more. Finally, you'll explore game design patterns to enhance your C++ game programming skills. By the end of the book, you'll have gained the knowledge you need to build your own games with exciting features from scratch This book is perfect for you if you have no C++ programming knowledge, you need a beginner-level refresher course, or you want to learn how to build games or just use games as an engaging way to learn C++. Whether you aspire to publish a game (perhaps on Steam) or just want to impress friends with your creations, you'll find this book useful. (N.B. Please use the Look Inside option to see further chapters)

Genres: Programming

748 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 31, 2019

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.