Beginning C++ Game Programming: Learn C++ from scratch by building fun games , Third Edition

John Horton

€37.99

4.5 (23 Ratings)

Paperback May 2024 648 pages 3rd Edition

John Horton

€37.99

4.5 (23 Ratings)

Paperback May 2024 648 pages 3rd Edition

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Beginning C++ Game Programming

Variables, Operators, and Decisions: Animating Sprites

In this chapter, we will do quite a bit more drawing on the screen. We will animate some clouds that travel at a random height and a random speed across the background and a bee that does the same in the foreground. To achieve this, we will need to learn some more of the basics of C++. We will be learning how C++ stores data with variables as well as how to manipulate those variables with the C++ operators and how to make decisions that branch our code on different paths based on the value of variables. Once we have learned all this, we will be able to reuse our knowledge about the Simple and fast Multimedia Library (SFML) Sprite and Texture classes to implement our cloud and bee animations.

In summary, here is what is in store:

Learning all about C++ variables
Seeing how to manipulate the variables
Adding clouds, a buzzing bee and a tree for the player to chop away at
Random numbers
Making...

Adding clouds, a buzzing bee, and a tree

First, we will add a tree. This is going to be easy. The reason for this is because the tree doesn’t move. We will use the same procedure that we used in the previous chapter when we drew the background. In this next section, we will prepare our static tree sprite and our moving bee and cloud sprites. We can then focus separately on moving and drawing the bee and the clouds because they will need a bit more C++ knowledge to do so.

Preparing the tree

Add the following highlighted code. Notice the un-highlighted code, which is the code we have already written. This should help you identify that the new code should be typed immediately after we set the position of the background but before the start of the main game loop. We will recap what is going on in the new code after you have added it.

int main()
{
// Create a video mode object
VideoMode vm(1920, 1080);
// Create and open a window for the game
RenderWindow window(vm,...

Making decisions with if and else

The C++ if and else keywords are what enable us to make decisions. We saw if in action in the previous chapter when we detected each frame whether the player had pressed the Escape key.

if (Keyboard::isKeyPressed(Keyboard::Escape))
{
window.close();
}

So far, we have seen how we can use arithmetic and assignment operators to create expressions. Now, we can see some new operators.

Logical operators

Logical operators are going to help us make decisions, by building expressions that can be tested for a value of either true or false. At first, this might seem like quite a narrow choice and insufficient for the kind of choices that might be needed in an advanced PC game. Once we dig a little deeper, we will see that you can make all the required decisions we will need, with just a few of the logical operators.

Here is a table of the most useful logical operators. Look at them and the associated examples, and then we will see how to...

Moving the clouds and the bee

Let’s use the elapsed time since the last frame to breathe life into the bee and the clouds. This will solve the problem of needing to achieve a consistent frame rate across different PCs.

Giving life to the bee

The first thing we want to do is set up the bee at a certain height and a certain speed. We only want to do this when the bee is inactive. So, we wrap the next code in an if block. Examine and add the highlighted code, and then we will discuss it.

/*
****************************************
Update the scene
****************************************
*/
// Measure time
Time dt = clock.restart();
// Setup the bee
if (!beeActive)
{
// How fast is the bee
srand((int)time(0));
beeSpeed = (rand() % 200) + 200;
// How high is the bee
srand((int)time(0) * 10);
float height = (rand() % 500) + 500;
spriteBee.setPosition(2000, height);
beeActive = true;
}
/*
****************************************
Draw the scene
***********************...

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Key benefits

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

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Tone Jun 03, 2024

"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

Alex Sep 13, 2024

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.

Jason Skillman Jul 24, 2024

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.

SAO Jun 30, 2024

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.

Osher Vaknin Oct 07, 2024

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.

Beginning C++ Game Programming: Learn C++ from scratch by building fun games , Third Edition

What do you get with Print?

Beginning C++ Game Programming

Variables, Operators, and Decisions: Animating Sprites

Learning all about C++ variables

Seeing how to manipulate the variables

C++ arithmetic and assignment operators

Adding clouds, a buzzing bee, and a tree

Preparing the tree

Random numbers

Generating random numbers in C++

Making decisions with if and else

Logical operators

Timing

The frame rate problem

Moving the clouds and the bee

Giving life to the bee

Summary

Frequently Asked Questions

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Beginning C++ Game Programming: Learn C++ from scratch by building fun games , Third Edition

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