Game Programming in C++: Start to Finish (Game Development Series) [Paperback]

Erik Yuzwa (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1584504323 | ISBN-13: 978-1584504320 | Publication Date: January 11, 2006 | Edition: 1

Welcome to the exciting world of game programming! If you're already familiar with the C++ programming language and want to learn how to program games, this book is for you. Game Programming in C++: Start to Finish will help you learn how to turn your own game fantasies into playable realities! Over the course of the book, you'll learn the popular techniques and practices behind today's games. Not only will you add a lot of theory to your game programming toolkit, but you'll also create a small basic game from scratch - SuperAsteriodArena. While you'll focus on using the SDL and the OpenGL libraries to learn game programming, you'll also learn the essential Windows principles that you'll need to create just about any kind of game with any other API such as DirectX. This easy-to-follow book takes current game programming information and filters it down to a practical level. Each chapter and subsection builds upon previous chapters and topics in a tutorial format, allowing you to progress at your own pace. As you work through the book, you'll build the SuperAsteriodArena game, beginning with engine creation and 3D programming with SDL and OpenGL. From there you'll move on to animation effects, audio, collision detection, networking, and finalizing the game. A variety of tools are used throughout, including Visual Studio and OpenGL, SDL, Autodesk 3ds Max, and the Audacity sound tool.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Erik Yuzwa (Calgary, AB) has been a professional computer programmer for over seven years since he graduated from University of Calgary in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. In 1995 he joined Wazoo Enterprises, Inc. and is now Lead Game Programmer/Designer. In 2001, he added Game Programming Educator to his schedule in which he instructs the game development process at the University of Calgary Continuing Education.

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Charles River Media; 1 edition (January 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584504323
• ISBN-13: 978-1584504320
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,294,746 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Avoid This Book, August 21, 2006

By 

NGP "Sol Programmer" (DC) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Game Programming in C++: Start to Finish (Game Development Series) (Paperback)

I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone who is trying to start out in game programming. I am a grad student engineer and have been programming for over 5 years. I just recently got into game and graphics programming and this book is really terrible compared to some others I've seen. The only reason I gave it two stars is because the chapter on graphics mathematics is fairly complete, and the book provides a good high level picture of how a game is structured. However, the code specifics are downright horrible, the listings seem to be randomly thrown in without any clue as to where they should go in an actual program, the writing is boring, the directions are sparse and inchoerent, and much of the source code provided on the CD is incredibly difficult to get running (if it runs at all). Also, there is a discussion board on wazoo, but don't excpect much help. Many of the forums end with unanswered questions including many that I had. For an intro book to programming games, save your money for another book, because this book just isn't worth the cost in wasted time and money.

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Moving on from a C++ Base, March 1, 2006

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Game Programming in C++: Start to Finish (Game Development Series) (Paperback)

This book make the presumption that you are already familiar with programming in C++. From there it takes you on to the theory, concepts and additional software packages that are used to facilitate rapid game development. Much of this software is to be found on the CD that is included with the book. As such, this book is a complete course in moving from straight C++ programming into actually producing a game.

The basic technique used is to lead the reader through the development and programming of a small basic game called 'SuperAsteroidArena.' While not a complex game, and certainly nothing that could be taken to market in these days, this little game illustrates the basic techniques that are used in today's game development along with the commonly available software tools. Of course, the completed game is also incldued on the CD.

The first part of the book is an introduction to the software that you will be using. Don't let the seemingly endlist of software packages get you down, it will all make sense eventually as you actually use each of the packages.

A very well done book, but as I said, not for the complete programming beginner.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible, May 11, 2009

By 

Mikael Öhman - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Game Programming in C++: Start to Finish (Game Development Series) (Paperback)

This book is all over the place and is hard to follow. The author mixes various subjects with no obvious focus and throws code listings at you that you don't know where to place.

Probably the worst programming book I own.