book

SFML Game Development

by Jan Haller, Henrik Valter Vogelius, Artur Moreira

June 2013

Beginner to intermediate

296 pages

6h 50m

English

Packt Publishing

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What this book covers

Downloading the example codeErrataPiracyQuestions
Introducing SFMLDownloading and installationA minimal example
The Game class
Input over several framesVector algebraFrame-independent movementFixed time stepsOther techniques related to frame rates
File paths and working directoriesReal-time renderingAdapting the code
Defining resources
TexturesImagesFontsShadersSound buffersMusic
GraphicsAudioAcquiring, releasing, and accessing resources
Finding an appropriate containerLoading from filesAccessing the textures
Boolean return valuesThrowing exceptionsAssertions
Compatibility with sf::MusicA special case – sf::Shader
EntitiesAircraftAlternative entity designs
Relative coordinatesSFML and transformsScene graphsScene nodesNode insertion and removalMaking scene nodes drawableDrawing entitiesConnecting entities with resourcesAligning the originScene layers
One step back – absolute transforms
ViewportView optimizationsResolution and aspect ratioView scrollingZoom and rotation
SpriteNodeLandscape textureTexture repeating
World initializationLoading the texturesBuilding the sceneUpdate and draw
The run() method
Polling eventsWindow eventsJoystick eventsKeyboard eventsMouse events
Events and real-time input – when to use whichDelta movement from the mouse
Introducing commandsReceiver categoriesCommand executionCommand queuesHandling player inputCommands in a nutshellImplementing the game logicA general-purpose communication mechanism
Why a player is not an entity
Defining a state
Adding states to StateStackHandling updates, input, and drawingInputUpdateDrawDelayed pop/push operations
Creating the game stateThe title screenMain menuPausing the game
Progress barParallelTaskThreadConcurrencyTask implementation
The GUI hierarchy, the Java way
Equipping the entitiesIntroducing hitpointsStoring entity attributes in data tablesDisplaying text
Movement patternsSpawning enemies
Firing bullets and missilesHoming missiles
Finding the collision pairsReacting to collisionsAn outlook on optimizations
Cleaning everything upOut of view, out of the worldThe final update
Defining texture atlasesAdapting the game code
OpenGL and graphics cardsUnderstanding render targetsTexture mappingVertex arrays
Particles and particle typesParticle nodesEmitter nodesAffectorsEmbedding particles in the world
The Eagle has rolled!
Fullscreen post effectsShadersThe bloom effect
Music themesLoading and playingUse case – In-game themes
Loading, inserting, and playingRemoving soundsUse case – GUI sounds
The listenerAttenuation factor and minimum distancePositioning the listenerPlaying spatial soundsUse case – In-game sound effects
Playing multiplayer games
TCPUDPSocket selectorsCustom protocols
Peer-to-peerClient-server architectureAuthoritative servers
Server threadServer loopPeers and aircraftHot SeatAccepting new clientsHandling disconnectionsIncoming packetsStudying our protocolUnderstanding the ticks and updatesSynchronization issues
Client packetsTransmitting game actions via network nodesThe new pause stateSettingsThe new Player class
Latency versus bandwidthView scrolling compensationAircraft interpolation

Overview

Unlock the capability to design and develop your own interactive 2D games using C++ and SFML with this comprehensive guide. 'SFML Game Development' takes you all the way from the basics of using SFML to advanced skills like networking and visual effects, all while you create a playable game.

What this Book will help me do

Understand the basics of SFML and create a game from scratch.
Implement complex gameplay features including menus, settings, and environments.
Utilize graphical elements like particle systems and animations in your games.
Incorporate audio elements for a more engaging experience.
Implement multiplayer capabilities to take your games online.

Author(s)

Artur Moreira, Henrik Vogelius Hansson, and Jan Haller are experienced software developers with a passion for sharing knowledge in game development. Having extensive expertise with C++ and media libraries like SFML, they combine practical skills with an easy-to-follow writing style. Their collaborative work focuses on enabling readers to achieve complex concepts in an accessible format.

Who is it for?

This book is designed for C++ programmers who have some programming experience and are eager to delve into game development. It's particularly suitable for those who are curious about designing and implementing game mechanics but require guidance to bring their ideas to life. If you have a passion for game development and want to know how to use SFML effectively, this book is an ideal choice.