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Learning AWS Lumberyard Game Development
Learning AWS Lumberyard Game Development

Learning AWS Lumberyard Game Development: Create stunning 3D multiplayer games with integrated cloud-based features

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Profile Icon Dr. Edward Lavieri Jr.
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Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 2.3 (4 Ratings)
Paperback Oct 2016 268 pages 1st Edition
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Can$39.99 Can$44.99
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Arrow left icon
Profile Icon Dr. Edward Lavieri Jr.
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Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 2.3 (4 Ratings)
Paperback Oct 2016 268 pages 1st Edition
eBook
Can$39.99 Can$44.99
Paperback
Can$55.99
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eBook
Can$39.99 Can$44.99
Paperback
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Table of content icon View table of contents Preview book icon Preview Book

Learning AWS Lumberyard Game Development

Chapter 2. Planning Your Game in the Lumberyard

We started the previous chapter with a brief overview of Lumberyard and looked at what its capabilities are. We then contemplated what we could do with Lumberyard and how it fits into the current game engine landscape. In that chapter, we looked at system requirements and compatibility issues, and took a cursory look at how Lumberyard interacts with cloud-based storage and services. In this chapter, we will look at Lumberyard's beta release history and explore how it impacts your development efforts. We will also preview the games sampled throughout this book. Also in this chapter, we will look at the game functionality that we will create in subsequent chapters, look at game design for Lumberyard games, and explore how to plan the development process.

In this chapter, you will:

  • Understand the significance of Lumberyard's beta status
  • Become familiar with the sample game content used throughout this book
  • Understand the importance...

Beta software

As you likely know, the Lumberyard game engine is, at the time of this book's publication, in beta. What does that mean? It means a couple of things that are worth exploring.

First, developers (that's you!) get early access to amazing software. Other than the cool fact of being able to experiment with a new game engine, it can accelerate game projects. There are several downsides to this as well. Here are the primary drawbacks of using beta software:

  • Not all functions and features will be implemented. Depending on the engine's specific limitations, this can be a showstopper for your game project.
  • Some functions and features might be partially implemented, not function correctly, or be unreliable. If the features that have these characteristics are not ones you plan to use, then this is not an issue for you. This, of course, can be a tremendous problem. For example, let's say that the engine's gravity system is buggy. That would make testing your game...

Overview of sample content

Creating triple-A games is a complex process that typically involves a large number of people in a variety of roles, including programmers, designers, artists, and more. There is no industry average for how long it takes to create a triple-A game because there are too many variables, including budget, team size, game specifications, and individual and team experience. This being said, it is likely to take up to 2 years or more to create a triple-A game from scratch.

Note

Triple-A, or AAA, games typically have very large budgets, large design and development teams, and large advertising efforts, and are largely successful. In a nutshell, triple-A games are large!

Two years is a long time, so we have shortened things for you in this book by using available game samples that come bundled with the game engine. As illustrated in the following screenshot, Lumberyard comes with a great set of starter content and sample games:

Overview of sample content

Starter content

When you first launch Lumberyard...

Game design and game design documents

Developing games, especially AAA games, takes a Herculean effort from a game project team. Sophisticated game engines such as Lumberyard go a long way in helping development teams with tools and efficiencies. Perhaps the single most important tool a game developer can have is the game design. More specifically, a Game Design Document (GDD). These documents contain the game's specifications, including a game's description that details the overall game concept, the game's genre or genres, a storyline synopsis, the target audience, and distribution platforms. GDDs also document the game's interface design, game mechanics, and immersion plan.

Not having a game design to guide the development process is like starting to build a house without knowing whether it is supposed to be constructed out of wood or brick, how many floors it should have, the square footage, and the style. That would be a nightmare house construction project. To avoid...

Planning your Lumberyard development process

Each game development process is unique. Even game studios that are releasing a sequel to a successful game will have differences in how they develop each game. Team composition, goals, timelines, and tools are all subject to change. The following game development process diagram provides an overview of how the major components and sub processes might work together:

Planning your Lumberyard development process

Here are some Lumberyard tools that can be used by individuals or teams on your game project to simultaneously work on major components of the game. These tools are presented in alphabetical order so no importance or significance levels should be assumed. In some cases, the tools are embedded in a project component description. So, not all items listed below are names of specific Lumberyard tools.

There is some overlap, as several different teams will need to use more than one tool. As appropriate, references to this book's chapters are provided so you know where to find additional...

Beta software


As you likely know, the Lumberyard game engine is, at the time of this book's publication, in beta. What does that mean? It means a couple of things that are worth exploring.

First, developers (that's you!) get early access to amazing software. Other than the cool fact of being able to experiment with a new game engine, it can accelerate game projects. There are several downsides to this as well. Here are the primary drawbacks of using beta software:

  • Not all functions and features will be implemented. Depending on the engine's specific limitations, this can be a showstopper for your game project.

  • Some functions and features might be partially implemented, not function correctly, or be unreliable. If the features that have these characteristics are not ones you plan to use, then this is not an issue for you. This, of course, can be a tremendous problem. For example, let's say that the engine's gravity system is buggy. That would make testing your game very difficult, as you would...

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Key benefits

  • Build a multiplayer 3D game from scratch using the features of Amazon's Lumberyard
  • Explore the world of Lumberyard along with Twitch and various key Amazon Web Services to build a game
  • This step-by-step practical guide will teach you how to build cross-platform games using Lumberyard

Description

Amazon’s Lumberyard is a 3D cross-platform game development engine for building high-quality AAA games. It makes the process of creating multi-player games and adding realistic characters, stunning terrains, and special effects much faster and more efficient. This book will show you how to use Lumberyard to create a multiplayer 3D game with cloud computing, storage, and Twitch integration for user engagement. We will start with an introduction to Lumberyard and provide an overview of its capabilities and integration options. Once the game engine is installed, we’ll guide you through the creation of an immersive game world with characters. You’ll add animations and audio to bring the game to life. We’ll explore external interactions to support live multiplayer game play, data storage, user engagement, and the back end. By the end of the book, you will be efficient in building cross-platform games using Lumberyard.

Who is this book for?

The book caters for those who have an interest or desire to create their own games, either as a hobbyist or to enhance their skills as a professional games developer. The book requires previous knowledge of software development. Experience with C++ will also be beneficial.

What you will learn

  • Explore Lumberyard's graphical user interface
  • Create stunning game worlds
  • Use Geppetto editor to create 3D characters
  • Create and animate game characters using Lumberyard's toolset
  • Create impressive gameplay to add multiplayer functionality to your game
  • Debug and play your 3D game
  • Add multiplayer functionality to your game using Amazon GameLift
  • Integrate with Amazon cloud services to support cloud computing and storage
  • Engage your users during gameplay with Twitch

Product Details

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Publication date, Length, Edition, Language, ISBN-13
Publication date : Oct 28, 2016
Length: 268 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781786460868
Vendor :
Amazon
Languages :

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Product Details

Publication date : Oct 28, 2016
Length: 268 pages
Edition : 1st
Language : English
ISBN-13 : 9781786460868
Vendor :
Amazon
Languages :

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Table of Contents

12 Chapters
1. Welcome to the Lumberyard Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
2. Planning Your Game in the Lumberyard Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
3. Constructing an Immersive 3D Game World Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
4. Creating 3D Characters Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
5. Animating Your Characters Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
6. Creating Gameplay Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
7. Creating Multiplayer Gameplay Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
8. Bringing Your Game to Life with Audio and Sound Effects Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
9. Employing Cloud Computing and Storage Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
10. Engaging With Users Using Twitch Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
11. Providing Your Game to the World Chevron down icon Chevron up icon
12. Stretching Your Lumberyard Wings Chevron down icon Chevron up icon

Customer reviews

Rating distribution
Full star icon Full star icon Half star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 2.3
(4 Ratings)
5 star 0%
4 star 0%
3 star 50%
2 star 25%
1 star 25%
gro33 May 29, 2017
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 3
The pictures are not as readable as I hoped
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Frank May 29, 2018
Full star icon Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 3
It's a little out of date already, but still very useful if you're getting started.
Amazon Verified review Amazon
McSparky Sep 14, 2017
Full star icon Full star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 2
Nothing ground breaking, it's a good tutorial, but fairly out of date as the engine is at 1.10 now.Better read the official documentation and hop on the forums. The samples that come with the engine download as well as the sample game downloadable from the Lumberyard website should be plenty to get started with, as well as the official tutorials.Really with this much official documentation I was expecting this book to have a substantial project that it takes you through but it's actually superficial and full of filler material.http://docs.aws.amazon.com/lumberyard/latest/userguide/lumberyard-intro.htmlhttp://docs.aws.amazon.com/lumberyard/latest/userguide/sample-projects-levels-intro.htmlhttp://docs.aws.amazon.com/lumberyard/latest/userguide/sample-level-starter-game.html
Amazon Verified review Amazon
Christian AUGUSTE May 21, 2017
Full star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon Empty star icon 1
Aucun intérêt technique, c'est un produit commercial uniquement qui est le reflet de la présentation web. Je vous le déconseille
Amazon Verified review Amazon
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