Interviews

How has your background helped you to write this book?With over seven years of experience in game development and a focus on Godot Engine, I've built a strong foundation in educational content creation through my YouTube channel, Pigdev. My popular series on Object-Oriented Programming and Design Patterns in Godot Engine laid the foundation for this book.My background in the philosophy of language has given me a unique perspective on programming, viewing it as a system of structured, formal arguments that can be validated using computers. This insight has deeply influenced the book's approach to teaching game development concepts.I've developed a methodology that breaks down complex problems into manageable components with clear solutions. This systematic approach not only helped me build a reusable library of solutions for my own games but also guided the structure of the book’s chapters, making them more accessible and practical for readers.What part or parts of the book are your favourites, and why?Chapters 1-4 are my favorite. They establish the essential fundamentals for developing problem-solving and critical thinking in game development.The book uses a unique role-playing approach, allowing readers to step into the shoes of a game mechanic engineer of a fictional studio. In this scenario, each chapter presents unique challenges from the studio’s game designer, which the reader will learn to solve.This approach creates a robust foundation for learning by teaching readers how to break down complex problems, identify their core components, and evaluate potential solutions through established design patterns. The chapters take readers through a systematic process of understanding requirements, abstracting essential elements, and implementing potential solutions. In what ways have you been active in the Godot/Game Dev community?Since the release of Godot 1.4, I've created numerous videos about game development with Godot Engine, helping popularize the engine among beginners.In 2018, Nathan Lovato, founder of GDQuest, commissioned me to create courses with him when his company was just starting out. Initially, it was just the two of us working together. I contributed to various courses, including RPG development, inventory management, visual effects, and tower defense games.At the same time, I developed and shared my own game projects, releasing them all into the public domain for anyone to use.I've also published three successful books: two self-published works—Top 7 Godot Recipes and Platformer Essential Recipes—and one commissioned by Packt, The Essential Guide to Creating Multiplayer Games with Godot 4.0.I continue to share game design and development insights on my X account, @HenriqueLudens.What are some unique features that differentiate this book from other resources on Godot?This book stands out as one of the few resources dedicated to design patterns in Godot Engine, offering a unique approach that leverages the engine's native features. Instead of presenting design patterns as complex architectural concepts, it demonstrates how they're naturally integrated into Godot's core functionality.This shows that these patterns are simpler than many developers assume. For instance, Godot implements several patterns right out of the box: Singletons through Autoloads, the Observers via signals, and even the State pattern through AnimationTree nodes.What truly sets this book apart is its focus on understanding the fundamental principles behind each pattern, avoiding technicalities. It addresses common misconceptions head-on, like the discussion around whether Autoloads are "true" Singletons. Our practical approach emphasizes that what matters is achieving the pattern's purpose - in this case, having a globally accessible instance with a constant reference.