Create fun games in C++, with this up-to-date guide covering the latest features of C++20 and VS2022
Build clones of popular games such as a Timberman clone, a Pong game, a Zombie Survival Shooter, and a platform endless runner game
Discover tips to expand your finished games by thinking critically, technically, and creatively
Description
Always dreamed of creating your own games? With the third edition of Beginning C++ Game Programming, you can turn that dream into reality! This beginner-friendly guide is updated and improved to include the latest features of VS 2022, SFML, and modern C++20 programming techniques. You'll get a fun introduction to game programming by building four fully playable games of increasing complexity. You'll build clones of popular games such as Timberman, Pong, a Zombie survival shooter, and an endless runner.
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 vertex arrays, directional sound (spatialization), OpenGL programmable shaders, spawning objects, and much more. You’ll dive deep into game mechanics and implement input handling, levelling up a character, and simple enemy AI. 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.
Who is this book for?
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
What you will learn
Set up your game project in VS 2022 and explore C++ libraries such as SFML
Build games in C++ from the ground up, including graphics, physics, and input handling
Implement core game concepts such as game animation, game physics, collision detection, scorekeeping, and game sound
Implement automatically spawning objects and AI to create rich and engaging experiences
Learn advanced game development concepts, such as OpenGL shaders, texture atlases, and parallax backgrounds
Scale and reuse your game code with modern game programming design patterns
"Beginning C++ Game Programming - Third Edition" is a perfect starting point for beginners eager to dive into game development. Updated for C++20 and Visual Studio 2022, it explains essential programming concepts through hands-on projects like Pong, Timberman, and a Zombie survival shooter. The step-by-step instructions cover basics like object-oriented programming and collision detection, and extend to advanced topics such as OpenGL shaders and AI. This engaging approach ensures readers not only learn C++, but also create some fun, fully playable games. I definitely recommend.
Amazon Verified review
AlexSep 13, 2024
5
This book is perfect. The examples are well-explained and the hands-on approach keeps you engaged. Plus, if you buy the book, you get a free PDF version as well.
Amazon Verified review
Jason SkillmanJul 24, 2024
5
This book covers both worlds of c++ and game development. If you are a beginner or have been programming for years, then I highly recommend getting this book to further your learning in the C++ programming language and game development. You will master the basics of C++ and learn about variables, basic loops, if statements, classes, methods, and inheritance. The book even covers learning about pointers and references which are essential to mastering C++. Another topic which I appreciate is how to create a new project and configure solution settings. This is also a skill that every C++ programmer needs but no other book covers. Regarding game development, you will have multiple complete games and projects to put on your portfolio when you have finished reading. I definitely recommend this book if you are new or experienced.
Amazon Verified review
SAOJun 30, 2024
5
I was excited to read this book so my opinions may be a little biased based off the topic. First off I have always wanted to makes games without an engine like Unreal or Unity. This book was promised to take you down that rabbit hole. So I was very excited. The book seems very well thought out. I did notice a few times there were paragraphs that probably could have been cut because it didn’t serve a major purpose in the book, but it was still engaging.I like how the book has you plan and document the process of making the game before you start to get you in the right habits. The author explains the process after but getting a game plan before the game is important. Lastly the author assumes you don’t have any C++ knowledge but any programming knowledge is beneficial because you can see where the author is going with his instructions. You can do without, but you will enjoy the book with some background knowledge.If you want to learn how to make games from near scratch, then this book is great.
Amazon Verified review
Osher VakninOct 07, 2024
5
This book is really good for people who want to learn C++/Game Development as it's title suggests, the explanations in the book are very well done, abstracting subjects so that the beginner can gradually learn harder concepts, I will definitely recommend this book if you're a beginner.
John Horton is a programming and gaming enthusiast based in the UK. He has a passion for writing apps, games, books, and blog articles. He is the founder of Game Code School.
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