Zune Game Development Using XNA 3.0

Book description

XNA 3.0 brings you the ability to create games that will run not just on the PC and Xbox 360, but also on the Zune mobile device. While creating games for Zune is, in many ways, similar to working on the other platforms, it also presents its own unique set of challenges and opportunities. Smaller screens, limited storage, and less processing power all affect the way you need to think about designing and implementing your games.

Zune Game Development Using XNA 3.0 is a comprehensive book that will guide you through the many aspects of XNA game development and their specific implementations on the Zune platform. The book addresses Zune game development concepts in detail and shows you how to apply them in practical, step-by-step examples, building complete, working XNA 3.0 examples along the way that you can download and play.

Table of contents

  1. Title Page
  2. Dedication
  3. Contents at a Glance
  4. Contents
  5. About the Author
  6. About the Technical Reviewer
  7. Acknowledgments
  8. Introduction
    1. What This Book Will Teach You
    2. Intended Audience
    3. How to Use This Book
    4. Chapter Overview
    5. Hardware and Software Considerations
    6. Downloading the Source Code
    7. Moving Forward
  9. CHAPTER 1: Getting Started
    1. Downloading and Installing the Software
    2. Your First "Game"
    3. Summary
  10. CHAPTER 2: Introduction to XNA Game Studio 3.0
    1. The Project Structure of an XNA Game
    2. Important Methods in an XNA Game
    3. XNA Game Flow
    4. Putting It All Together
    5. Check Your Knowledge
    6. Summary
  11. CHAPTER 3: Game Content
    1. What Is Content?
    2. Types of Content
    3. The XNA Content Pipeline
    4. Custom Importers and Processors
    5. Check Your Knowledge
    6. Summary
  12. CHAPTER 4: Developing for the Zune
    1. Deploying to the Zune
    2. Debugging, Running, and Rebooting
    3. Creating Windows Versions of Zune Games
    4. Zune Specifications and Optimization
    5. Handling Input on the Zune
    6. Playing Music in Zune Games
    7. Your First Real Zune Game: OutBreak
    8. Check Your Knowledge
    9. Summary
  13. CHAPTER 5: XNA Fundamental Game Programming Concepts
    1. Math in Two Dimensions
    2. Using Math in Your Games
    3. Collision Detection Revisited
    4. Simple Game State Management
    5. Using Components
    6. Bringing It All Together with Monkey Feeder
    7. Cleaning Up for Deployment
    8. Check Your Knowledge
    9. Summary
  14. CHAPTER 6: Advanced Techniques
    1. Device Status
    2. Advanced Sprite Batch Techniques
    3. Games in Landscape Mode
    4. Game State Management with Screens
    5. Storage on the Zune
    6. Advanced Touch Sensitivity on the Zune
    7. Graphic Sound Visualizers
    8. Check Your Knowledge
    9. Summary
  15. CHAPTER 7: Final Exercise: Multiplayer Crazy Eights
    1. Wireless Networking with the Zune
    2. Elements of a Multiplayer Game
    3. Robot Tag: A Two-Player Game
    4. Multiplayer Crazy Eights for the Zune
    5. Summary
  16. APPENDIX A: Recommended Resources
    1. Blogs
    2. Microsoft Resources
    3. Creators Club Samples
  17. APPENDIX B: Zune Development Quick Reference Guide
    1. Animation
    2. Input Handling
    3. Gesture Support
    4. Forcing Screen Dimensions on Windows
    5. Playing Music
    6. Collision Detection
    7. Changing Game Properties
    8. Changing the Thumbnail
    9. Checking Battery Status
    10. Drawing in Landscape Mode
    11. Using Storage
    12. Creating Visualizers
  18. APPENDIX C: Check Your Knowledge Answers
    1. Chapter 2
    2. Chapter 3
    3. Chapter 4
    4. Chapter 5
    5. Chapter 6
  19. INDEX

Product information

  • Title: Zune Game Development Using XNA 3.0
  • Author(s): Dan Waters
  • Release date: March 2009
  • Publisher(s): Apress
  • ISBN: 9781430218616