Black Art Of Windows Game Programming

A text/CD-ROM guide to using WinG, Microsoft's game programming toolkit, for intermediate to advanced C programmers with some DOS game programming experience. Tutorial chapters provide development examples, discuss code-writing concepts, and explain how to manage memory and incorporate graphics and sound. The CD-ROM contains code, bitmaps, sound files, and utilities, plus a battle game based on the sprite engine developed in the book. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

THE BLACK ART OF MULTIPLATFORM GAME PROGRAMMING covers all the skills necessary to create amazing games. It will take you all the way from pixel plotting to full-blown game development. Written with beginners in mind, this book assumes no prior knowledge of game programming--anyone can learn how to program exciting video games using this book. Inside you'll find an introduction to game development on multiple platforms using SDL, extensive coverage of coding techniques used by programming gurus, a complete guide to game engine design and implementation, a modern approach to software architecture, and advanced programming procedures and optimizations. Downloadable files include all the source code used in this book, video tutorials for each chapter, standard tools used for game development, and the SDL standard development library.

Written by a master programmer, this book explains in detail what's behind the programming of those complex, mesmerizing video games. LaMothe makes clarity a priority, discussing math, projections, hidden surface removal, lighting, and transformation in an easy-to-understand language, and concludes by showing how to assemble all the pieces of a game into a complete product. 30 screen dumps.

The first part of this book covers playing-field design, creating and moving objects using the Windows BitBlt API, detecting collisions, and adding sound, with example code given with each topic. Part 2 covers in-depth everything that game developers should know to create addicting action games. Part 3 contains several game projects.

The multimedia and computer-games industry has exploded in recent years. Games have gotten incredibly sophisticated—and incredibly entertaining. The programs used to create them have improved also, to the point that you don’t necessarily have to be a nerd deluxe to do it yourself. Even so, game programming can be challenging—even if you’re a veteran C/C++ programmer and licensed technogeek. Challenging, sure…but also incredibly cool. Using DirectX—the latest and greatest technology for making games on PCs—Windows Game Programming For Dummies will help you write just about any 2D game you can conjure. Now updated to cover new DirectX and Windows releases, your friendly yellow-and-black companion will show you: The basics of video game design The nuts and bolts of Windows programming How to work with DirectX—and play with DirectDraw How to make a real game, with an actual, step-by-step example How to market your mind-blowing new creation The ten biggest mistakes made by game programmers—and how to avoid them From graphics to sound to input and installation, legendary game developer and Xtreme Games CEO André LaMothe takes you right into the guts of the game—in an entertaining style that won’t send you retreating to the nearest joystick. André’s witty, he’s tons of fun, and before you know it he’ll have you up to speed on: Setting up your game programming workstation Getting into DirectDraw: animation techniques, bitmaps, color keying, and more Adding Direct X subsystems such as DirectSound, DirectInput, and AutoPlay Getting your hands dirty by making a real game The physics of asteroids and other flying objects: time, velocity, force, and all that Game programming websites, downloads, 3D engines, usenet groups, and more!

"Tricks of the Windows Game Programmin Gurus, 2E" takes the reader through Win32 programming, covering all the major components of DirectX including DirectDraw, DirectSound, DirectInput (including Force Feedback), and DirectMusic. Andre teaches the reader 2D graphics and rasterization techniques. Finally, Andre provides the most intense coverage of game algorithms, multithreaded programming, artificial intelligence (including fuzzy logic, neural nets, and genetic algorithms), and physics modeling you have ever seen in a game book.

Written by Computer Scientist Andre' LaMothe, the world's best selling game programming author, The Black Art of Video Game Console Design breaks new ground in game development by bridging the alien worlds of hardware and software together for the first time! The Black Art of Video Game Console Design is written for the programmer and/or hobbyist interested in software game development, but also wants to understand the hardware games are implemented on. This book assumes no prior knowledge of Electrical Engineering or Computer Architecture, but takes you on a breathtaking journey from atomic semiconductor theory to the design and construction of basic video game consoles that you can build and write your own games for! Included in the book is the entire design of numerous embedded game systems including the XGameStation systems and much more. The Black Art of Video Game Console Design with 800+ pages covers everything you need to know to design your own game console including: * Basic atomic physics and semiconductor theory primer. * Introduction to circuit analysis; current, voltage, and resistance. * Analog design using discrete components. * Digital electronics and Boolean algebra. * Physical hardware construction and prototyping techniques. * Combinational logic and advanced integrated circuit building blocks. * Finite state machine design. * Computer architecture and design. * Understanding and using microprocessors and microcontrollers. * Developing software for embedded systems. * Designing video (NTSC/VGA), audio, and input device systems. * Interfacing and communications. * The complete design and discussion of numerous game systems including the XGameStations! CD-ROM Contains * PCB and circuit simulation tools. * All necessary data sheets. * Demos and source code. * Complete designs to numerous embedded systems including the XGameStations.