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Beginning C++ Game Programming - Third Edition

Name: Beginning C++ Game Programming - Third Edition
Author: John Horton
ISBN: 9781835081747

by John Horton

May 2024

Beginner

658 pages

13h 37m

English

Packt Publishing

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Preface
Who this book is forWhat this book coversTo get the most out of this bookGet in touch
Welcome to Beginning C++ Game Programming Third Edition!
The games we will buildGetting the most out of this book – get to know your free benefits Timber!!!PongZombie ArenaPlatform gameWhy you should learn game programming using C++ in 2024SFMLMicrosoft Visual StudioWhat about Mac and Linux?Installing Visual Studio 2022Setting up SFMLCreating a new project in Visual Studio 2022Configuring the project propertiesPlanning Timber!!!The project assetsMaking your own sound FXAdding the assets to the project Exploring the assetsUnderstanding screen and internal coordinatesGetting started with coding the gameMaking code clearer with commentsThe main functionPresentation and syntaxReturning values from a functionRunning the gameOpening a window using SFMLIncluding SFML featuresOOP, classes, and objectsUsing namespace sfSFML VideoMode and RenderWindowRunning the gameThe game loopwhile loopsC-style code commentsInput, update, draw, repeatDetecting a key pressClearing and drawing the sceneRunning the gameDrawing the game’s backgroundPreparing the sprite using a textureDouble buffering the background spriteRunning the gameHandling errorsConfiguration errorsCompile errorsLink errorsBugsSummaryFrequently asked questions
Variables, Operators, and Decisions: Animating Sprites
Learning all about C++ variablesTypes of variablesUser-defined typesDeclaring and initializing variablesDeclaring variablesInitializing variablesDeclaring and initializing in one stepConstantsUniform initializationDeclaring and initializing user-defined typesSeeing how to manipulate the variablesC++ arithmetic and assignment operatorsGetting things done with expressionsAssignmentIncrement and decrementAdding clouds, a buzzing bee, and a treePreparing the treePreparing the beePreparing the cloudsDrawing the tree, the bee, and the cloudsRandom numbersGenerating random numbers in C++Making decisions with if and elseLogical operatorsC++ if and elseIf they come over the bridge, shoot them!Else do this insteadReader challengeTimingThe frame rate problemThe SFML frame rate solutionMoving the clouds and the beeGiving life to the beeBlowing the cloudsSummaryFrequently Asked Questions
C++ Strings, SFML Time: Player Input and HUD
Pausing and restarting the gameC++ stringsDeclaring stringsAssigning a value to stringsString ConcatenationGetting the string lengthManipulating strings another way with StringStreamSFML Text and SFML FontAdding a score and a messageAdding a time-barSummaryFrequently asked questions
Loops, Arrays, Switch, Enumerations, and Functions: Implementing Game Mechanics
Loopswhile loopsBreaking out of a loopfor loopsArraysDeclaring an arrayInitializing the elements of an arrayQuickly initializing the elements of an arrayWhat do these arrays really do for our games?Making decisions with switchClass enumerationsGetting started with functionsWho designed all this weird and frustrating syntax and why is it the way it is?Function return typesFunction namesFunction parametersThe function bodyFunction prototypesOrganizing functionsFunction scopeA final word on functions – for nowGrowing the branchesPreparing the branchesUpdating the branch sprites in each frameDrawing the branchesMoving the branchesSummaryFrequently asked questions
Collisions, Sound, and End Conditions: Making the Game Playable
Preparing the player (and other sprites)Drawing the player and other spritesHandling the player’s inputHandling setting up a new gameDetecting the player choppingDetecting a key being releasedAnimating the chopped logs and the axeHandling deathSimple sound effectsHow SFML sound worksWhen to play the soundsAdding the sound codeImproving the game and codeSummaryFrequently asked questions
Object-Oriented Programming – Starting the Pong Game
Object-oriented programmingEncapsulationPolymorphismInheritanceWhy use OOP?What exactly is a class?The theory of a Pong batDeclaring the class, variables, and functionsThe class function definitionsUsing an instance of a classCreating the Pong projectCoding the Bat classCoding Bat.hConstructor functionsContinuing with the Bat.h explanationCoding Bat.cppUsing the Bat class and coding the main functionSummaryFrequently asked questions
AABB Collision Detection and Physics – Finishing the Pong Game
Coding the Ball classUsing the Ball classCollision detection and scoringRunning the gameLearning about the C++ spaceship operatorSummaryFrequently asked questions
SFML Views – Starting the Zombie Shooter Game
Planning and starting the Zombie Arena gameCreating a new projectThe project assetsExploring the assetsAdding the assets to the projectOOP and the Zombie Arena projectBuilding the player – the first classCoding the Player class header fileCoding the Player class function definitionsControlling the game camera with SFML ViewStarting the Zombie Arena game engineManaging the code filesStarting to code the main game loopSummaryFrequently asked questions
C++ References, Sprite Sheets, and Vertex Arrays
Understanding C++ referencesSummarizing referencesSFML vertex arrays and sprite sheetsWhat is a sprite sheet?What is a vertex array?Building a background from tilesBuilding a vertex arrayUsing the vertex array to drawCreating a randomly generated scrolling backgroundUsing the backgroundSummaryFrequently asked questions

Pointers, the Standard Template Library, and Texture Management
Learning about pointersPointer syntaxDeclaring a pointerInitializing a pointerReinitializing pointersDereferencing a pointerPointers are versatile and powerfulDynamically allocated memoryPassing a pointer to a functionDeclaring and using a pointer to an objectPointers and arraysSummary of pointersLearning about the Standard Template LibraryWhat is a vector?Declaring a vectorAdding data to a vectorAccessing data in a vectorRemoving data from a vectorChecking the size of a vectorLooping/iterating through the elements of a vectorWhat is a map?Declaring a mapAdding data to a mapFinding data in a mapRemoving data from a mapChecking the size of a mapChecking for keys in a mapLooping/iterating through the key-value pairs of a mapThe auto keywordSTL summarySummaryFrequently asked questions
Coding the TextureHolder Class and Building a Horde of Zombies
Implementing the TextureHolder classCoding the TextureHolder header fileCoding the TextureHolder function definitionsWhat have we achieved with TextureHolder?Building a horde of zombiesCoding the Zombie.h fileCoding the Zombie.cpp fileUsing the Zombie class to create a hordeBringing the horde to life (or back to life)Using the TextureHolder class for all texturesChanging the way the background gets its texturesChanging the way the Player class gets its textureSummaryFrequently asked questions
Collision Detection, Pickups, and Bullets
Coding the Bullet classCoding the Bullet header fileCoding the Bullet source fileCoding the shoot functionCalculating the gradient in the shoot functionMaking the gradient positive in the shoot functionCalculating the ratio between X and Y in the shoot functionFinishing the shoot function explanationMore bullet functionsThe Bullet class’s update functionMaking the bullets flyIncluding the Bullet classControl variables and the bullet arrayReloading the gunShooting a bulletUpdating the bullets in each frameDrawing the bullets in each frameGiving the player a crosshairCoding a class for pickupsCoding the Pickup header fileCoding the Pickup class function definitionsUsing the Pickup classDetecting collisionsHas a zombie been shot?Has the player been touched by a zombie?Has the player touched a pickup?SummaryFrequently asked questions
Layering Views and Implementing the HUD
Adding all the Text and HUD objectsUpdating the HUDDrawing the HUD, home, and level-up screensSummary
Sound Effects, File I/O, and Finishing the Game
Saving and loading the high scorePreparing sound effectsAllowing the player to level up and spawning a new waveRestarting the gamePlaying the rest of the soundsAdding sound effects while the player is reloadingMaking a shooting soundPlaying a sound when the player is hitPlaying a sound when getting a pickupMaking a splat sound when a zombie is shotSummaryFrequently asked questions
Run!
About the gameCreating the projectCoding the main functionHandling inputCoding the Factory classAdvanced OOP: inheritance and polymorphismInheritanceExtending a classPolymorphismAbstract classes: virtual and pure virtual functionsDesign patternsEntity Component System patternWhy lots of diverse object types are hard to manageUsing a generic GameObject for better code structurePrefer composition over inheritanceFactory patternC++ smart pointersShared pointersUnique pointersCasting smart pointersCoding the GameObject classCoding the Component classCoding the Graphics classCoding the Update classRunning the codeWhat next?Summary
Sound, Game Logic, Inter-Object Communication, and the Player
Coding the SoundEngine classCode the Game logicCoding the LevelUpdate classCoding the player: Part 1Coding the PlayerUpdate classCoding the PlayerGraphics classCoding the factory to use all our new classesRemembering the texture coordinatesRunning the gameSummary
Graphics, Cameras, Action
Cameras, draw calls, and SFML ViewCoding the camera classesCoding the CameraUpdate classCoding the CameraGraphics class part 1The SFML View classCoding the CameraGraphics class part 2Adding camera instances to the gameRunning the gameSummary
Coding the Platforms, Player Animations, and Controls
Coding the platformsCoding the PlatformUpdate classCoding the update function for the PlatformUpdate classCoding the PlatformGraphics classBuilding some platforms in the factoryRunning the gameAdding functionality to the playerCoding the player controlsRunning the gameCoding the Animator classCoding the player animationsRunning the gameSummary
Building the Menu and Making It Rain
Building an interactive menuCoding the MenuUpdate classCoding the MenuGraphics classBuilding a menu in the factoryRunning the gameMaking it rainCoding the RainGraphics classMaking it rain in the factoryRunning the gameSummary
Fireballs and Spatialization
What is spatialization?Emitters, attenuation, and listenersHandling spatialization using SFMLUpgrading the SoundEngine classFireballsCoding the FireballUpdate classCoding the FireballGraphics classCoding FireballGraphics.hCoding FireballGraphics.cppBuilding some fireballs in the factoryRunning the codeSummary
Parallax Backgrounds and Shaders
Learning about OpenGL, shaders, and GLSLThe programmable pipeline and shadersCoding a hypothetical fragment shaderCoding a hypothetical vertex shaderFinishing the CameraGraphics classBreaking up the new draw codeCoding a shader for the gameRunning the completed gameSummaryFurther reading
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Overview

Always wanted to create games but never knew where to start? "Beginning C++ Game Programming" takes you step-by-step through building four exciting games using the C++20 language and the SFML library. By the end of this hands-on guide, you'll not only understand programming in C++ but also know how to translate those skills into creating polished and playable games.

What this Book will help me do

Understand the fundamentals of programming, game development basics, and the C++20 language.
Create fully playable games using SFML, including clones inspired by Timberman, Pong, and more.
Learn to implement game concepts such as collision detection, physics, and AI behavior.
Gain experience in advanced programming techniques like OpenGL shaders and texture management.
Master design patterns to create scalable, maintainable, and efficient game code.

Author(s)

John Horton is an experienced programmer and author with a passion for teaching others how to code. Specializing in game development and C++ programming, John brings his expertise and an approachable teaching style to the world of technical books. As a self-taught developer, John understands the challenges new learners face and structures his books to address these in a logical, encouraging manner.

Who is it for?

This book is perfect for anyone interested in learning C++ programming while building fun and engaging games. Whether you're a complete beginner to programming, looking to brush up on modern C++20 techniques, or curious about game development, this book is designed with you in mind. You'll benefit from this resource if you aim to create games from scratch, explore coding as a hobby, or simply enjoy seeing a project come to life.

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