Beginning Game Programming

Michael Morrison is a writer, developer, toy inventor and author of a variety of computer technology books and interactive Web-based courses. In addition to his primary profession as a writer and freelance nerd for hire, Michael is the creative lead at Stalefish Labs, an entertainment company he co-founded with his wife, Masheed. The first commercial debut for Stalefish Labs is a traditional social/trivia game called Tall Tales: The Game of Legends and Creative One-Upmanship (http://www.talltalesgame.com). When not glued to his computer, playing hockey, skateboarding or watching movies with his wife, Michael enjoys hanging out by his koi pond. You can visit Michael on the Web at http://www.michaelmorrison.com.

Introduction.

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.