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Beginning C++ Game Programming - Second Edition

Name: Beginning C++ Game Programming - Second Edition
Author: John Horton
ISBN: 9781838648572

by John Horton

October 2019

Beginner to intermediate

746 pages

14h 36m

English

Packt Publishing

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Beginning C++ Game Programming Second Edition
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About the authorAbout the reviewerPackt is searching for authors like you
Preface
Who this book is forWhat this book coversTo get the most out of this bookDownload the example code filesDownload the color imagesConventions usedGet in touchReviews
Chapter 1: C++, SFML, Visual Studio, and Starting the First Game
The games we will buildTimber!!!PongZombie ArenaThomas was lateSpace Invaders ++Meet C++Microsoft Visual StudioSFMLSetting up the development environmentWhat about Mac and Linux?Installing Visual Studio 2019 Community editionSetting up SFMLCreating a new projectConfiguring the project propertiesPlanning Timber!!!The project assetsOutsourcing the assetsMaking your own sound FXAdding the assets to the projectExploring 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 SFML#including SFML featuresOOP, classes, and objectsUsing namespace sfSFML VideoMode and RenderWindowRunning the gameThe main game loopWhile loopsC-style code commentsInput, update, draw, repeatDetecting a key pressClearing and drawing the scene Running the gameDrawing the game’s backgroundPreparing the Sprite using a TextureDouble buffering the background spriteRunning the gameHandling errorsConfiguration errorsCompile errorsLink errorsBugsSummaryFAQ
Chapter 2: Variables, Operators, and Decisions – Animating Sprites
C++ variablesTypes of variablesDeclaring and initializing variablesManipulating variablesC++ arithmetic and assignment operators Getting things done with expressionsAdding clouds, a tree, and a buzzing beePreparing 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!Shoot them … or else do this insteadReader challengeTimingThe frame rate problemThe SFML frame rate solutionMoving the clouds and the beeGiving life to the beeBlowing the cloudsSummaryFAQ
Chapter 3: C++ Strings and SFML Time – Player Input and HUD
Pausing and restarting the gameC++ StringsDeclaring StringsAssigning a value to a StringManipulating StringsSFML's Text and Font classesImplementing the HUDAdding a time-barSummaryFAQ
Chapter 4: Loops, Arrays, Switches, Enumerations, and Functions – Implementing Game Mechanics
Loopswhile loopsfor loopsArraysDeclaring an arrayInitializing the elements of an arrayWhat do these arrays really do for our games?Making decisions with switchClass enumerationsGetting started with functionsFunction return typesFunction namesFunction parametersThe function bodyFunction prototypesOrganizing functionsFunction gotcha!More on functionsAn absolute final word on functions – for nowGrowing the branchesPreparing the branchesUpdating the branch sprites each frameDrawing the branchesMoving the branchesSummaryFAQ
Chapter 5: 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 FXHow SFML sound worksWhen to play the soundsAdding the sound codeImproving the game and the codeSummaryFAQ
Chapter 6: Object-Oriented Programming – Starting the Pong Game
OOPEncapsulationPolymorphismInheritanceWhy use OOP?What exactly is a class?The theory of a Pong BatThe class variable and function declarationsThe 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 functionSummaryFAQ

Chapter 7: Dynamic Collision Detection and Physics – Finishing the Pong Game
Coding the Ball classUsing the Ball classCollision detection and scoringRunning the gameSummaryFAQ
Chapter 8: 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 loopSummaryFAQ
Chapter 9: C++ References, Sprite Sheets, and Vertex Arrays
C++ referencesReferences summarySFML 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 backgroundSummaryFAQ
Chapter 10: Pointers, the Standard Template Library, and Texture Management
Learning about PointersPointer syntaxDeclaring a pointerInitializing a pointerReinitializing pointersDereferencing a pointerPointers are versatile and powerfulPointers and arraysSummary of pointersThe Standard Template LibraryWhat 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 summaryThe 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 (back to life)Using the TextureHolder class for all texturesChanging the way the background gets its texturesChanging the way the Player gets its textureSummaryFAQ
Chapter 11: Collision Detection, Pickups, and Bullets
Coding the Bullet classCoding the Bullet header fileCoding the Bullet source fileMaking the bullets flyIncluding the Bullet classControl variables and the bullet arrayReloading the gunShooting a bulletUpdating the bullets each frameDrawing the bullets 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?SummaryFAQ
Chapter 12: Layering Views and Implementing the HUD
Adding all the Text and HUD objectsUpdating the HUDDrawing the HUD, home, and level-up screensSummaryFAQ
Chapter 13: Sound Effects, File I/O, and Finishing the Game
Saving and loading the high scorePreparing sound effectsLeveling upRestarting the gamePlaying the rest of the soundsAdding sound effects while the player is reloadingMaking a shooting soundPlaying a sound when the player is hit Playing a sound when getting a pickupMaking a splat sound when a zombie is shotSummaryFAQ
Chapter 14: Abstraction and Code Management – Making Better Use of OOP
The Thomas Was Late gameFeatures of Thomas Was LateCreating the projectThe project's assetsStructuring the Thomas Was Late codeBuilding the game engineReusing the TextureHolder classCoding Engine.hCoding Engine.cppThe Engine class so farCoding the main functionSummaryFAQ
Chapter 15: Advanced OOP – Inheritance and Polymorphism
InheritanceExtending a classPolymorphismAbstract classes – virtual and pure virtual functionsBuilding the PlayableCharacter classCoding PlayableCharacter.hCoding PlayableCharacter.cppBuilding the Thomas and Bob classesCoding Thomas.h Coding Thomas.cppCoding Bob.h Coding Bob.cppUpdating the game engine to use Thomas and BobUpdating Engine.h to add an instance of Bob and ThomasUpdating the input function to control Thomas and BobUpdating the update function to spawn and update the PlayableCharacter instancesDrawing Bob and ThomasSummaryFAQ
Chapter 16: Building Playable Levels and Collision Detection
Designing some levelsBuilding the LevelManager classCoding LevelManager.hCoding the LevelManager.cpp fileCoding the loadLevel functionUpdating the engineCollision detectionCoding the detectCollisions functionMore collision detectionSummary
Chapter 17: Sound Spatialization and the HUD
What is spatialization?Emitters, attenuation, and listenersHandling spatialization using SFMLBuilding the SoundManager classCoding SoundManager.hCoding the SoundManager.cpp fileAdding SoundManager to the game enginePopulating the sound emittersCoding the populateEmitters functionPlaying soundsImplementing the HUD classCoding HUD.hCoding the HUD.cpp fileUsing the HUD classSummary
Chapter 18: Particle Systems and Shaders
Building a particle systemCoding the Particle classCoding the ParticleSystem classExploring SFML's Drawable class and OOPAn alternative to inheriting from DrawableUsing the ParticleSystem objectOpenGL, Shaders, and GLSLThe programmable pipeline and shadersCoding a fragment shaderCoding a vertex shaderAdding shaders to the engine classLoading the shadersUpdating and drawing the shaderSummary
Chapter 19: Game Programming Design Patterns – Starting the Space Invaders ++ Game
Space Invaders ++Why Space Invaders ++?Design patternsScreen, InputHandler, UIPanel, and ButtonEntity-Component patternPrefer composition over inheritanceFactory patternC++ smart pointersShared pointersUnique pointersCasting smart pointersC++ assertionsCreating the Space Invaders ++ projectOrganizing code files with filtersAdding a DevelopState fileCoding SpaceInvaders ++.cppCoding the GameEngine classCoding the SoundEngine classCoding the ScreenManager classCoding the BitmapStore classCoding the ScreenManagerRemoteControl classWhere are we now?Coding the Screen class and its dependentsCoding the Button classCoding the UIPanel classCoding the InputHandler classCoding the Screen classAdding the WorldState.h fileCoding the derived classes for the select screen Coding the SelectScreen classCoding the SelectInputHandler classCoding the SelectUIPanel classCoding the derived classes for the game screen Coding the GameScreen classCoding the GameInputHandler classCoding the GameUIPanel classCoding the GameOverInputHandler classCoding the GameOverUIPanel classRunning the gameSummary
Chapter 20: Game Objects and Components
Preparing to code the componentsCoding the Component base classCoding the collider componentsCoding the ColliderComponent classCoding the RectColliderComponent classCoding the graphics componentsCoding the GraphicsComponent classCoding the StandardGraphicsComponent classCoding the TransformComponent classCoding update componentsCoding the UpdateComponent classCoding the BulletUpdateComponent classCoding the InvaderUpdateComponent classCoding the PlayerUpdateComponent classCoding the GameObject classExplaining the GameObject classSummary
Chapter 21: File I/O and the Game Object Factory
The structure of the file I/O and factory classesDescribing an object in the worldCoding the GameObjectBlueprint classCoding the ObjectTags classCoding the BlueprintObjectParser classCoding the PlayModeObjectLoader classCoding the GameObjectFactoryPlayMode classCoding the GameObjectSharer classCoding the LevelManager classUpdating the ScreenManager and ScreenManagerRemoteControl classesWhere are we now?Summary
Chapter 22: Using Game Objects and Building a Game
Spawning bulletsCoding the BulletSpawner classUpdating GameScreen.hHandling the player's inputUsing a gamepadCoding the PhysicsEnginePlayMode classMaking the gameUnderstanding the flow of execution and debuggingReusing the code to make a different game and building a design modeSummary
Chapter 23: Before You Go...
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Overview

Master game programming and C++ fundamentals through an engaging, project-based approach with "Beginning C++ Game Programming". By developing complete games, you'll learn essential programming concepts and practical techniques that will set you on the path to becoming a game developer.

What this Book will help me do

Build five fully playable games from scratch, learning key aspects of game programming.
Understand C++ fundamentals, including object-oriented programming and memory management.
Apply game physics, animations, and collision detection for dynamic gameplay.
Master the SFML library to utilize OpenGL for graphics and build immersive games.
Explore advanced programming concepts such as design patterns for scalable game architecture.

Author(s)

John Horton is an experienced programmer, technology author, and game development expert. He specializes in teaching complex concepts in a straightforward, accessible manner. With a background in both computer science and education, John has a passion for making programming enjoyable for beginners. His books reflect his belief in learning by doing, offering step-by-step projects to develop practical skills.

Who is it for?

This book is ideal for beginners or those looking to reinforce their foundational programming skills with C++. It's also suited for aspiring game developers aiming to create their own games or those interested in using games as a fun learning medium for programming.

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