Libgdx comes with a few full games to serve as example projects. Developers are encouraged to check them out, try them, and read the source code. It is a fantastic way to learn how things are done the Libgdx way.
In this recipe, you will learn how to get and run the official demos.
You only need to make sure your development environment works. The process to get up and running is explained in the Setting up a cross-platform development environment at the beginning of this chapter.
There are eight official Libgdx demos. They are as follows:
Pax Britannica: This is a one-button RTS available at https://github.com/libgdx/libgdx-demo-pax-britannica
Metagun: This is a 2D platformer available at https://github.com/libgdx/libgdx-demo-metagun
Super Jumper: This is a Doodle Jump clone available at https://github.com/libgdx/libgdx-demo-superjumper
Invaders: This is a 2D Space Invaders clone available at https://github.com/libgdx/libgdx-demo-invaders
Vector Pinball: This is a 2D pinball simulation using Box2D available at https://github.com/libgdx/libgdx-demo-vector-pinball
Cuboc: This is a 2D platformer available at https://github.com/libgdx/libgdx-demo-cuboc
The Plane That Couldn't Fly Good: This is a Flappy Bird clone available at https://github.com/badlogic/theplanethatcouldntflygood
Very Angry Robots: This is a 2D shooter platformer available at https://github.com/libgdx/libgdx-demo-cuboc
We will work with Super Jumper, but the process is identical for any other project; just follow these steps:
Clone the repository using Git. The URL is available in the project page. Super Jumper's Git repository URL is
[email protected]:libgdx/libgdx-demo-superjumper.git. If you do not know how to clone a Git repository, read the Using source control on a Libgdx project with Git recipe.Import the project from its folder into Eclipse following the instructions in the Setting up a cross-platform development environment recipe.
Run each platform-specific project like any other Libgdx project.
Now, you can run Super Jumper, as shown in the following screenshot:
All the Libgdx official demos use Gradle as a build system, so the process of importing them into an IDE, getting them to compile, and running them is exactly the same as we saw in the past.
As you progress through this book, it will be a great exercise to go back to the demos' source code and try to identify the concepts and techniques explained here.
Luckily enough, the Libgdx community is big, active, and generous. This results in a great number of open source projects for people to study and learn from. Some of them can be found in the Libgdx gallery at http://libgdx.badlogicgames.com/gallery.html.