Book Description:

It’s time to stop thinking that shaders are magical. You can use shaders to turn data into stunning visual effects, and get your hands dirty by building your own shader with this step-by-step introduction to shader development for game and graphics developers. Learn how to make shaders that move, tint, light up, and look awesome, all without cracking open a math textbook.

Book Description:

Scratch is a fun, free, beginner-friendly programming environment where you connect blocks of code to build programs. While most famously used to introduce kids to programming, Scratch can make computer science approachable for people of any age. Rather than type countless lines of code in a cryptic programming language, why not use colorful command blocks and cartoon sprites to create powerful scripts?

In Learn to Program with Scratch, author Majed Marji uses Scratch to explain the concepts essential to solving real-world programming problems. The labeled, color-coded blocks plainly show each logical step in a given script, and with a single click, you can even test any part of your script to check your logic. You’ll learn how to:
–Harness the power of repeat loops and recursion
–Use if/else statements and logical operators to make decisions
–Store data in variables and lists to use later in your program
–Read, store, and manipulate user input
–Implement key computer science algorithms like a linear search and bubble sort

Hands-on projects will challenge you to create an Ohm’s law simulator, draw intricate patterns, program sprites to mimic line-following robots, create arcade-style games, and more! Each chapter is packed with detailed explanations, annotated illustrations, guided examples, lots of color, and plenty of exercises to help the lessons stick. Learn to Program with Scratch is the perfect place to start your computer science journey, painlessly.

Book Description:

Learn iPhone and iPad cocos2D Game Development provides a rock-solid introduction to the cocos2d iPhone game engine and related tools. It focuses on the process of creating several games made entirely with cocos2d and little-to-no iPhone SDK and OpenGL code. By creating 2-3 sample games over the course of the book, you’ll learn key concepts of the cocos2d game engine and relevant tools like Zwoptex (TextureAtlas), ParticleDesigner (Particle Effects), and others.

The example games are modeled after popular App Store games so that they are relevant, recognizable, and immediately fun and inspiring. The games increase in complexity and highlight common recurring cocos2d beginner questions. As you move along, you’ll learn about possible stumbling blocks and how to navigate them successfully. As you move from beginning to advanced, you’ll encounter general game programming wisdom, tips for performance improvement, as well as pointers to alternative implementations and further reading.

It is assumed that the reader has previous programming knowledge but not necessarily with Objective-C. Related topics such as Xcode, Objective-C, the iPhone SDK, and OpenGL are only discussed where absolutely necessary.

Book Description:

Follow a walkthrough of the Unity Engine and learn important 2D-centric lessons in scripting, working with image assets, animations, cameras, collision detection, and state management. In addition to the fundamentals, you’ll learn best practices, helpful game-architectural patterns, and how to customize Unity to suit your needs, all in the context of building a working 2D game.

While many books focus on 3D game creation with Unity, the easiest market for an independent developer to thrive in is 2D games. 2D games are generally cheaper to produce, more feasible for small teams, and more likely to be completed. If you live and breathe games and want to create them then 2D games are a great place to start.

By focusing exclusively on 2D games and Unity’s ever-expanding 2D workflow, this book gives aspiring independent game developers the tools they need to thrive. Various real-world examples of independent games are used to teach fundamental concepts of developing 2D games in Unity, using the very latest tools in Unity’s updated 2D workflow.

New all-digital channels for distribution, such as Nintendo eShop, XBox Live Marketplace, the Playstation Store, the App Store, Google Play, itch.io, Steam, and GOG.com have made it easier than ever to discover, buy, and sell games. The golden age of independent gaming is upon us, and there has never been a better time to get creative, roll up your sleeves, and build that game you’ve always dreamed about. Developing 2D Games with Unity can show you the way.

What You’ll Learn

• Delve deeply into useful 2D topics, such as sprites, tile slicing, and the brand new Tilemap feature.
• Build a working 2D RPG-style game as you learn.
• Construct a flexible and extensible game architecture using Unity-specific tools like Scriptable Objects, Cinemachine, and Prefabs.
• Take advantage of the streamlined 2D workflow provided by the Unity environment.
•  Deploy games to desktop

Who This Book Is For

Hobbyists with some knowledge of programming, as well as seasoned programmers interested in learning to make games independent of a major studio.

Book Description:

Create a fully featured application that’s both sophisticated and engaging. This book provides a detailed guide in developing augmented reality games that can take advantage of the advanced capabilities of new iOS devices and code while also offering compatibility with still supported legacy devices.

No programming experience is necessary as this book begins on the ground floor with basic programming concepts in Unity and builds to incorporating input from the real world to create interactive realities. You’ll learn to program with the Unity 2017 development platform using C#.

Recent announcements of increased AR capabilities on the latest iPhones and iPads show a clear dedication on Apple’s part to this emerging market of immersive games and apps. Unity 2017 is the latest version of this industry leading development platform and C# is a ubiquitous programming language perfect for any programmer to begin with.

Using the latest development technologies, Beginning iOS AR Game Development will show you how to program games that interact directly with the real world environment around the user for creative fantastic augmented reality experiences.

What You’ll Learn

• Download assets from the Unity store
• Create a scene in Unity 2017
• Use physics and controls on mobile devices

Book Description:

A quick, handy reference on Minecraft recipes

Want to find resources, make a shelter, craft tools, armor, and weapons, and protect yourself from monsters with Minecraft recipes? You’ve come to the right place! In a handy, portable edition that’s packed with step-by-step instructions, Minecraft Recipes For Dummies makes it easy to look up the required items and figure out which blocks you need to gather to create each item. You’ll get recipes for weapons, armor, transportation, mechanism, food, dye, wool, and brewing, as well as information on enchanting, repairing, gathering, farming, efficiency, and more.

Minecraft is more than just a game: it’s an obsession. It has gone from an obscure game with a cult-like following to a mainstream phenomenon. Minecraft consists of players using an avatar to create or destroy various types of blocks, form fantastic structures, create artwork, and much more, all in a three-dimensional environment and across various multiplayer servers in multiple game modes. With this fun and friendly guide, you’ll get quick and easy access to Minecraft recipes to enhance your game and get even more out of this popular, addictive game.

• Shows you which blocks you’ll need to gather to create shelter, tools, armor, weapons, and more
• Makes it easier for both beginner and advanced Minecraft players to make the most of the game
• Playing the game teaches users basic programming skills and engineering concepts
• The author’s sons—both avid Minecraft players and bloggers—contributed to the writing of this book

Minecraft Recipes For Dummies is the portable guide that goes where you go as you create a world you’ll never want to leave.

Book Description:

Book Description:

Learn how to take your existing knowledge of Ethereum and Solidity to the next level. Hone your development skills and become more familiar with the syntax of the Solidity language by working through well-tested, well-documented intermediate-level sample projects.

You will begin by covering the basics of Ethereum, Solidity, and gaming theory. From there, you will move onto sample projects that use smart contract engineering to create fun casino-style games that you can deploy and test on your friends and colleagues with real ether. All games are provably fair and auditable, so that players know the house won’t always win!

Ideal for any reader with exposure to Ethereum, the techniques this book teaches are applicable to game developers, software engineers, web developers, and cryptocurrency enthusiasts.

What You’ll Learn

• Use various features and best practices for smart contract programming in Ethereum and Solidity
• Develop and deploy games of chance, similar to the kind you’d find in a casino
• Create fun, easy projects with Ethereum
• lntegrate the Ethereum blockchain into games

Who This Book Is For

Entry-level programmers with some exposure to Ethereum; game developers, Blockchain and cryptocurrency enthusiasts looking to add Ethereum and Solidity development to their skill set; software engineers and Web developers

Book Description:

Learn all of the basics needed to join the ranks of successful Android game developers. You’ll start with game design fundamentals and Android programming basics, and then progress toward creating your own basic game engine and playable game apps that work on Android smartphones and tablets. Beginning Android Games, Third Edition gives you everything you need to branch out and write your own Android games for a variety of hardware.

Do you have an awesome idea for the next break-through mobile gaming title? Beginning Android Games will help you kick-start your project. This book will guide you through the process of making several example game apps using APIs available in Android.

What You’ll Learn

Book Description:

Learn to build a fully-functional 2D game inspired by the 1979 Atari classic, Asteroids, using just HTML5, CSS and JavaScript. Developing games has never been easier than it is now. New web technology allows even beginner developers to turn their hand to game development. Developed from an undergraduate course module, Introducing JavaScript Game Development teaches each new technology as it is introduced so can be followed by enthusiastic beginners as well as intermediate coders.You will learn how to work with HTML5 and the canvas element, how to understand paths, how to draw to a design and create your spaceship and asteroids. You’ll then move on to animating your game, and finally building. You will work step-by-step through the game design process, starting with only what is necessary to complete each step, and refactoring the code as necessary along the way, reflecting the natural progression that code follows in the real world. Each chapter is designed to take your code base to the next level and to add to your skills. After completing the examples in this book you will have the tools necessary to build your own, high-quality games.

Make the process of creating object-oriented 2D games more fun and more productive and get started on your game development journey.

Book Description:

Break into the most lucrative platform in the world by adding HTML5 game development to your current skillset. Zarrar Chishti has trained developers from a wide range of programming disciplines to cross over into HTML5 game development.  Whatever your vocation, whether it be an Application Databases Systems developer or a Professional Web developer, with this book you will learn to evolve your current coding skills to become eligible for the biggest gaming platform in the world. From the first chapter you will see encouraging results immediately as you power through a challenging and fun project that has been uniquely designed and developed for this book.

With the relentless backing of the giants of the industry including Apple and Google, HTML5 is rapidly becoming the leading technology for game development. Furthermore nearly every mobile device, tablet and PC system offer full support to the latest games developed in HTML5.

Book Description:

What You’ll Learn

Who This Book Is For

Experienced Java developers who may have some prior game development experience. This book can be for experienced game developers new to Java programming.

Book Description:

Although LEGO MINDSTORMS NXT allows anyone to build complex inventions, there are limits to what you can do with what comes inside the box. This book shows you how to advance the NXT with more than 45 exciting projects that include creating a cool magic wand that writes words in thin air, building a remotely guided vehicle, and constructing sophisticated robots that can sense color, light, temperature, and more. All projects are explained with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions, so you’ll be able to create them successfully whether you’re a novice or an expert. This book also shows you how to expand the programming software and use the alternative language NXC.

New input devices―such as keypads, sensors, and even the human body―are covered, along with fun games such as surfing, PONG, and SIMON. On the serious side, there are classic engineering challenges such as controlling an inverted pendulum, making a robot that follows a wall, and building several light-seeking vehicles. Some projects are just entertaining, such as the Etch-A-NXT; others are useful, such as a motorized camera mount that takes panoramic photographs.

This second edition accounts for the important changes found in the next generation NXT, and it also covers the original concepts in greater depth. Details are presented for practically unlimited expansion of the NXT inputs and outputs by using the I2C communications bus, and several power amplifier designs allow the NXT outputs to drive bigger motors. Instructions are also included for adapting LEGO Power Functions motors to work directly with the NXT.

Book Description:

Build your next game on a bigger scale with Pro HTML5 Games. This essential book teaches you to master advanced game programming in HTML5. You’ll learn techniques that you can transfer to any area of HTML5 game development to make your own professional HTML5 games.

Led by an expert game programmer, you’ll build two complete games in HTML5: a strategy puzzle game based on the Box2d physics engine and in the style of Angry Birds and a real-time strategy (RTS) game complete with units, buildings, path-finding, artificial intelligence, and multiplayer support.

This new and fully updated second edition now includes chapters on mobile game development and an essential game developer’s toolkit. Understand how to develop complex, bolder games and become an HTML5 games pro using Pro HTML5 Games today.

What You’ll Learn

• Create realistic physics in your game by incorporating the Box2d physics engine
• Design large worlds with lots of characters and let users interact with them
• Use sprite sheets, panning, parallax scrolling, and sound effects to build a more polished game
• Incorporate pathfinding and steering to help characters navigate through your world
• Create challenging levels with intelligent enemies by using decision trees, state machines, and scripted events
• Add multiplayer in your games using Node.js and the WebSocket API

Book Description:

Carry out the pre-planning, design, and programming of role playing games (RPGs) using the popular GameMaker: Studio in this very practical and fun book. Author Ben Tyers teaches you how to create a story or plotline for the RPG, apply aesthetics, and develop core and extended gameplay.

Using Learn RPGs in GameMaker: Studio, you can design and build your own RPG using the GameMaker: Studio platform. Build your first game application and deploy in an app store, on Facebook, or just on a PC.  Maybe, even, make a few bucks.

What You’ll Learn

• Use the GameMaker: Studio platform to design and build a role playing game
• Create a story for game design purposes, using a plot line and defining characters
• Discover the impact of aesthetics on art style, character separation, scene development, sound design and views
• Master core gameplay elements such as battles, exploration, scoring, and endings
• Work with extended gameplay elements such as collectibles, quirks, management, and saving
• Employ the various core and extended gameplay elements as appropriate to your RPG

Who This Book Is For

Game designers or developers looking to design and build their first role playing game using the GameMaker: Studio platform.

Book Description:

Master the most important skills and techniques you need to know for professional HTML5 and JavaScript 2D game development. This book delves into many of the great classic techniques of video game design.

You’ll discover how to develop games and game levels using Tiled Editor, how to implement tile-based collision, how to design advanced pathfinding and enemy AI systems, the fundamentals of broad-phase collision, and how to make isometric games. All the techniques and supporting code are explained in an easy-to-understand manner and written in a general way so that they can be applied to any game engine or technology that you’re comfortable using.

You’ll find detailed working examples, with dozens of illustrations and many concepts you can freely apply to your own projects. All the math and programming techniques are elaborately explained and examples are open-ended to encourage you to think of original ways to use these techniques in your own games. You can use what you learn in this book as the basis for making games for desktops, mobile phones, tablets, or the Web.

The Advanced Game Developer’s Toolkit is a great next step if you already have some JavaScript game-making- experience, or a great continuation if you’ve already read Advanced Game Design with HTML5 and JavaScript by the same author.

What You’ll Learn

• Work with advanced tile-based design techniques for puzzle, platform and maze games
• Use Tiled Editor to build game worlds
• Build path-finding and AI systems using Line of Sight and A* (A-Star)
• Make isometric games
• Manage complexity to build games of any size that scale seamlessly

Who This Book Is For

Video game developers with some experience who want to learn the essential techniques they need to know to take their skills to the next level and for readers who want to understand and fine-tune every line of code they write, without resorting to quick fixes.

Book Description:

Unreal Engine 4 now has support for Blender, which was not available in earlier versions. This has opened up new possibilities and that is where this book comes in. This is the first book in the market combining these two powerful game and graphic engines. Readers will build an amazing high-level game environment with UE4 and will show them how to use the power of Blender 3D to create stunning animations and 3D effects for their game. This book will start with creating levels, 3D assets for the game, game progression, light and environment control, animation, and so on. Then it will teach readers to add amazing visual effects to their game by applying rendering, lighting, rigging, and compositing techniques in Blender. Finally, readers will learn how to smoothly transfer blender files to UE4 and animate the game assets. Each chapter will add complexities to the game environment.

What you will learn

• Create a fully functioning game level of your own design using Blender and Unreal Engine 4
• Customize your level with detailed 3D assets created with Blender
• Import assets into Unreal Engine 4 to create an amazing finished product
• Build a detailed dynamic environment with goals and an ending
• Explore Blender’s incredible animation tools to animate elements of your game
• Create great environments using sound effects, particle effects, and class blueprints

Book Description:

Book Description:

Book Description:

Game jams are fun. They are a creative, exciting, social experience. The goal of a game jam is to design a video game, either alone or in teams, as fast as is humanly possible; usually in a single weekend.

The Game Jam Survival Guide, written to help you have more fun and achieve greater results at your next game jam by building a successful game without burning out, leads readers through each 12-hour phase of a 48-hour weekend game jam.

Weekend warriors: dominate your next game jam! If you follow the system shared in this book, you will be able to build an amazing game that you’re proud of and will entertain players, all in just one crazy 48-hour game jam weekend … and survive to tell the tale!.

Embrace the best practices and techniques of past game jam winners and avoid common pitfalls along the way to the finish line. You too can survive a 48-hour game development marathon with your mind intact and an amazing game to show off to friends and family!

With The Game Jam Survival Guide you will learn the secret techniques that master game jammers use to create winning entries. It starts by showing you great ways to brainstorm and design a game based on a theme. It then moves on to highlight the best tools and techniques to finish a game in a weekend of coding. Anecdotes and advice from past winners and losers combined with humorous words of encouragement are sure to help you on your way. The author presents a list of game jams around the world, online communities worth checking out, fantastic game engines, and art resources. Finally, learn how to monetize your game by gaining sponsorship from big gaming websites. It’s the fun way to make your own video game in one weekend!

What you will learn from this book

• Preparing for the jam: conquer the theme, pick design aids, prototype quickly, choose the right tools for the job, and cut the right corners.
• Bombastic brainstorming: power up your idea generator and run with a theme, gain more votes and please the masses.
• Building a game jam entry: pick your weapons, follow your plan, cut the bells-n-whistles, scramble over “the wall”, submit a game on time, and with a little luck, attain fame and fortune.
• Why Mike “PoV” Kasprzak (Ludum Dare administrator) thinks game jams are a good introduction to the realities of the game industry.
• The reasons why Dr. Mike Reddy (organizer of the Global Game Jam) thinks designing on paper is essential.
• The best ways to find creative inspiration and develop an idea to fit a theme according to Eric McQuiggan (founding member of The Dirty Rectangles) and Chevy Ray Johnston (author of the FlashPunk engine).
• What Foaad Khosmood (director of the Global Game Jam) suggests you do to ensure you finish before the deadline.
• The worst way to prepare according to Pekka “pekuja” Kujansuu and the best way according to Phil Hassey (Ludum Dare administrators)
• What one piece of advice Jason P. Kaplan (founder of the Game Prototype Challenge) would give to newcomers.