Beginning Game Programming demystifies game programming by providing clear, practical lessons using C++, the industry standard in game programming. The book focuses on the Windows API to construct games for the Windows platform and discusses game theory, including double-buffered graphics, sprite animation, and digitized sound effects and music. A fully functional game engine provides readers with the ability to create their own games in the future.
I. GETTING STARTED.
1. Learning the Basics of Game Creation.
2. Creating an Engine for Games.
3. Learning to Draw Basic Graphics.
4. Drawing Graphical Images.
II. INTERACTING WITH GAME PLAYERS.
5. Controlling Games with the Keyboard and Mouse.
6. Example Game: Brainiac.
7. Improving Input with Joysticks.
8. Example Game: Light Cycles.
III. ANIMATING GAMES WITH SPRITES.
9. Making Things Move with Sprite Animation.
10. Managing a World of Sprites.
11. Example Game: Henway.
IV. MAKING NOISE WITH SOUND AND MUSIC.
12. Playing Digital Sound Effects.
13. Playing MIDI Music.
14. Example Game: Battle Office.
V. TAKING ANIMATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
15. Animating the Appearance of Sprites.
16. Creating Backgrounds for Your Sprites.
17. Example Game: Meteor Defense.
VI. ADDING BRAINS TO YOUR GAMES.
18. Teaching Games to Think.
19. Example Game: Space Out.
VII. SPICING UP YOUR GAMES.
20. Adding Pizzazz to Your Game with a Splash Screen.
21. Showing Off Your Game with Demo Mode.
22. Keeping Track of High Scores.
VIII. ONE FOR THE ROAD.
23. Changing Perspective with Scrolling Backgrounds.
24. Example Game: Stunt Jumper.
IX. APPENDIXES ON CD-ROM.
Appendix A: Selecting a Game Development Tool.
Appendix B: A C++ Programming Primer.
Appendix C: A Windows Game Programming Primer.
Appendix D: Creating Graphics for Games.
Index.
Michael Morrison is a professional Java programmer. He is also an experienced author who has a lot of experience writing to Java programmers with a wide range of experience. Michael is the author of Presenting JavaBeans, and SamsTeach Yourself Internet Game Programming with Java in 21 Days; he is also a contributing author to Sams Teach Yourself Java in 21 Days, Professional Reference Edition, Late Night Visual J++, and Platinum Edition Using HTML 4.0, Java 1.1, and JavaScript 1.2.