book

Microsoft® XNA® Game Studio 4.0: Learn Programming Now!

by Rob Miles

January 2011

Beginner

464 pages

12h 17m

English

Microsoft Press

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Who This Book Is ForSystem RequirementsCode SamplesErrata and Book SupportWe Want to Hear from YouStay in Touch
IntroductionLearning to ProgramBecoming a Great ProgrammerHow the Book WorksC# and XNAGetting StartedInstalling the Development Environment and the XNA FrameworkSetting Up a PC to Run XNA GamesSetting Up an Xbox 360 to Run XNA GamesApp HubXNA Game Studio ConnectXNA Game Studio Device CenterSetting up a Windows Phone to run XNA gamesSelling Your Windows Phone Games in the MarketplaceConnecting a Windows Phone to a Windows PCWriting Your First ProgramCreating Your First ProjectRunning Your First ProgramStopping a ProgramStoring Games on the Xbox 360 or Windows PhoneRunning the Same XNA Game on Different DevicesCreating a Copy of an XNA Project for Another DeviceChoosing Between Windows Phone and EmulatorConclusionChapter Review Questions
IntroductionMaking a Game ProgramStatements in the Draw MethodWorking with ColorsStoring Color ValuesSetting a Color ValueControlling ColorGames and ClassesClasses and BehaviorsDrawing and Updating in GamesSharing Game World Data Between Draw and UpdateClasses as OfficesGame World DataStoring Data in Computer MemoryDrawing by Using Our Color Intensity VariablesUpdating Our ColorsMemory Overflow and Data ValuesMaking a Proper Mood LightMaking Decisions in Your ProgramCreating Conditional StatementsAdding an Else PartTesting ValuesThe Completed Mood LightA Proper Funky Mood LightFinding Program BugsConclusionChapter Review Questions
IntroductionReading a GamepadGamepads and ClassesFinding a GamepadTesting the Gamepad StatusUsing the KeyboardStopping the Game with the Escape KeyUsing a Gamepad and a Keyboard at the Same TimeAdding VibrationControlling the Vibration of a GamepadTesting Intensity ValuesProgram BugsConclusionChapter Review Questions
IntroductionResources and ContentGetting Some PicturesContent Management Using XNAWorking with Content Using XNA Game StudioXNA Game Studio Solutions and ProjectsAdding Content to a ProjectAdding Links to ResourcesThe XNA Content PipelineUsing Resources in a GameLoading XNA TexturesPositioning Your Game Sprite on the ScreenSprite Drawing with SpriteBatchFilling the ScreenIntellisenseConclusionChapter Review Questions
IntroductionText and ComputersText as a ResourceCreating the XNA Clock ProjectAdding a Font ResourceThe XML File FormatLoading a FontDrawing with a FontChanging the Font PropertiesGetting the Date and TimeMaking a Prettier Clock with 3-D TextDrawing Multiple Text StringsRepeating Statements with a for LoopOther Loop ConstructionsFun with for LoopsCreating Fake 3-DCreating Shadows Using Transparent ColorsDrawing Images with TransparencyConclusionChapter Review Questions

IntroductionCreating the Button-Bash GameButton-Bash Game DataStarting the Button-Bash GameDisplaying the Button-Bash Count ValueCounting Button PressesDetecting Changes in the Button PositionLevel and Edge DetectorsConstructing the Complete GameCode DesignAdding Test CodeConclusionChapter Review Questions
Adding SoundCreating the Drum Pad ProjectCapturing Sounds with AudacitySounds and File TypesStoring Sounds in Your ProjectUsing Sounds in an XNA ProgramPlaying SoundsPlaying Background MusicCreating a RayGunThe SoundEffectInstance ClassControlling a Sound Effect InstanceChanging Instance PropertiesSound Bugs from Your Younger BrotherChecking for Null ReferencesThe XACT Audio ToolPlaying Songs Using the MediaPlayer ClassConclusionChapter Review Questions
Making Another GameReaction Timer BugFinding Winners Using ArraysCreating an ArrayUsing Data in an ArrayScanning an ArrayUsing an Array as a Lookup TableDisplaying the WinnerConclusionChapter Review Questions
Using the Keyboard in XNACreating the Message Board ProjectRegistering Key PressesDetecting When Keys Are PressedThe Keys TypeEnumerated TypesWorking with Arrays, Objects, and ReferencesValues and ReferencesArrays as OfficesSay Hello to the Garbage CollectorUsing References and ValuesWhy Do We Have References and Values?References and GetPressedKeysDisplaying KeysDetecting Key PressesUsing Break to Improve PerformanceDecoding Key CharactersUsing the Shift KeysEditing the TextConclusionChapter Review Questions
IntroductionPlaying with ImagesZooming In on an ImageCreating a Zoom-OutUpdating the Drawing RectangleCreating a Method to Calculate PercentagesPutting a Method into Your Game ClassCalling a MethodReturning Nothing Using voidCreating a getPercentage MethodTesting a MethodDesigning Tests for getPercentageCreating the getPercentage Method BodyDebugging C# ProgramsDebugging with BreakpointsHitting a BreakpointViewing VariablesUsing Floating-Point Numbers in C#The Compiler and C# TypesCompilers and CastingExpression TypesStopping the ZoomZooming from the CenterConclusionChapter Review Questions
IntroductionCreating Game GraphicsProjects, Resources, and ClassesXNA Game Studio Solutions and ProjectsProjects and FoldersThe Game Program FilesThe Program.cs FileNamespaces and ProgramsStatic Classes and MethodsMaking Methods StaticMain Method ParametersThe C# Using StatementThe Main Method in an XNA GameRenaming the Game1 ClassCreating Game ObjectsSprites in GamesManaging the Size of Game SpritesWorking with Floating-Point Values and IntegersDouble Precision Floating-Point ValuesDrawing and Aspect RatiosSprite SizingMoving SpritesBouncing the CheeseDealing with Display OverscanConclusionChapter Review Questions
IntroductionAdding Bread to Your GameUsing a Structure to Hold Sprite InformationUsing the Gamepad Thumbsticks to Control MovementImproving Programs Using MethodsValue and Reference ParametersHandling CollisionsMaking the Cheese Bounce off the BatStrange Bounce BehaviorStrange Edge BehaviorDebugging a Running ProgramAdding Tomato TargetsWindows Phone Image SizesTomato CollisionsControlling Sprite VisibilitySetting the Initial Visibility StateUsing the Visible Field When DrawingConclusionChapter Review Questions
IntroductionMaking a Finished GameAdding Scores to a GameDrawing Text in the GameAdding SurvivalAdding ProgressionImproving Code DesignRefactoring by Creating Methods from CodeRefactoring by Changing IdentifiersCreating Code RegionsCreating Useful CommentsAdding a BackgroundAdding a Title ScreenGames and StateUsing the State ValuesBuilding a State MachineConclusionChapter Review Questions
IntroductionDesign with ObjectsAn Object Refresher CourseCohesion and ObjectsCreating a Cohesive BatSpriteStructProtecting Data Inside ObjectsBatSpriteStruct BehaviorsObjects and EncapsulationCoupling Between ObjectsCreating a Link Between the Bread Bat and the Cheese BallDesigning Object InteractionsObjects and MessagesMessages and OrganizationContainer ObjectsBackground and Title Screen ObjectsClasses and StructuresCreating and Using a StructureCreating and Using an Instance of a ClassReferencesMultiple References to an InstanceNo References to an InstanceWhy Bother with References?Value and Reference TypesShould Our Game Objects Be Classes or Structures?Game Objects Should Be Structures Managed by ValueGame Objects Should Be Classes Managed by ReferenceCreating a Sprite Class HierarchyThe BaseSprite ClassUsing the BaseSprite to Store the BackgroundExtending the BaseSprite to Produce a TitleSpriteOverriding Methods from a Parent ClassBuilding a Class HierarchyUsing Protected Members from a Parent ClassAdding a Deadly PepperCreating a DeadlySprite ClassDrawing the Deadly Pepper SpriteSetting Up the Deadly Pepper SpriteUpdating the Deadly Pepper SpriteConclusionChapter Review Questions
IntroductionObjects and AbstractionCreating an Abstract Class in C#Extending an Abstract ClassDesigning with Abstract ClassesReferences to Abstract Parent ClassesConstructing Class InstancesConstructors in StructuresConstructors in Class HierarchiesConstructors in Child ClassesAdding 100 Killer TangerinesCreating a KillerSprite ClassPositioning the KillerSprites Using Random NumbersPseudorandom NumbersThe .NET Random ClassCreating a Static Random Generator for the KillerSpriteGetting a Random Sequence of NumbersUsing Lists of ReferencesCreating a List CollectionAdding Items to a ListAccessing List ElementsWorking Through List Elements Using foreachSetting Up the Game SpritesExtra List FeaturesAdding Artificial IntelligenceChasing the Bread BatUsing Properties to Read the Bread Bat PositionCreating the KillerSprite-Chasing AIHitting the Killer Sprite TangerinesAdding Game SoundsFrom Objects to ComponentsC# InterfacesCreating an InterfaceImplementing an InterfaceReferences to InterfacesLinking Bread, Cheese, and TomatoesDesigning with InterfacesConclusionChapter Review Questions
IntroductionNetworks and ComputersStarting with the SignalBuilding Up to PacketsAddressing MessagesRoutingCalls and DatagramsNetworks and ProtocolsXbox LiveGamertags and Xbox LiveSystem Link and XNABread and Cheese PongManaging Gamer Profiles in XNACreating a ProfileAutomatic Sign-InEnsuring a Gamer Is Signed In for Network PlayCreating a Game LobbyNetwork Games and StateStarting at the Title ScreenSigning In PlayersSelecting the Role of HostDisplaying the Contents of the LobbySelecting the Role of PlayerWaiting for a HostPlaying the GameGame TopologyCreating the Server BehaviorCreating the Client BehaviorThe Completed GameConclusionChapter Review Questions
IntroductionThe AccelerometerWhat Does the Accelerometer Actually Do?Acceleration and PhysicsMaking Sense of Accelerometer ReadingsCreating a “Cheese Lander” Tipping GameGame World Objects in “Cheese Lander”Getting Access to the Accelerometer Class from XNAUsing the Accelerometer in an XNA GameStarting the AccelerometerUsing Accelerometer Values in a GameImproving Game Play by Adding PhysicsUsing Vectors to Express MovementAdding FrictionControlling Sounds with VectorsDetecting ShakingA Quick Digression About Threads and SynchronizationConclusionChapter Review Questions
IntroductionThe Windows Phone Touch ScreenGetting Touch InputCreating a Panic ButtonReading Touch EventsTouch Location TypesUsing the Location of a TouchCreating a Touch DrumpadCreating a soundPad Class for Each Drum SoundStoring soundPad Values in the GameDrawing the SoundpadsUpdating the SoundpadsMaking the Soundpads FlashCreating a Shuffleboard GameThe PuckSprite ClassUpdating a Stationary PuckDragging the Puck Across the PanelPuck Movement Across the BoardEmulators and Real DevicesConclusionChapter Review Questions
IntroductionThe Windows PhoneThe Windows Phone MarketplaceMaximizing the Phone Battery Life in XNA GamesSetting the Update Rate of a GameDealing with Changes in Phone OrientationSelecting Orientations in an XNA GameGetting Messages When the Orientation ChangesUsing a Specific Display Size for Windows Phone GamesHiding the Windows Phone Status BarStopping the Screen Timeout from Turning Off Your GameCreating a Phone State MachineGames and StatesCreating a Simple Game State MachineCreating More Complex State MachinesHanding Incoming Phone CallsDetecting Phone CallsA Game as a Windows Phone ApplicationThe Windows Phone Back and Start ButtonsStarting New Programs with the Start ButtonUsing Isolated Storage to Store Game StateStoring Files in Isolated StorageConnecting Streams TogetherSaving the State of a GameLoading a Saved GameExceptions in Number ReadingErasing Saved FilesCreating a Well-Behaved GameGetting Your Games into the MarketplaceThe Windows Phone MarketplaceRegistering for the App HubUsing a Windows Phone DeviceCreating Games for SaleConclusionChapter Review Questions
Chapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 3Chapter 4Chapter 5Chapter 6Chapter 7Chapter 8Chapter 9Chapter 10Chapter 11Chapter 12Chapter 13Chapter 14Chapter 15Chapter 16Chapter 17Chapter 18Chapter 19
Rob Miles

Overview

Now you can build your own games for your Xbox 360, Windows Phone 7, or Windows-based PC—as you learn the underlying concepts for computer programming. Use this hands-on guide to dive straight into your first project—adding new tools and tricks to your arsenal as you go. No experience required!

Learn XNA and C# fundamentals—and increase the challenge with each chapter

Write code to create and control game behavior

Build your game’s display—from graphics and text to lighting and 3-D effects

Capture and cue sounds

Process input from keyboards and gamepads

Create features for one or multiple players

Tweak existing games—and invent totally new ones