Book Image

SFML Game Development By Example

By : Raimondas Pupius
Book Image

SFML Game Development By Example

By: Raimondas Pupius

Overview of this book

Simple and Fast Multimedia Library (SFML) is a simple interface comprising five modules, namely, the audio, graphics, network, system, and window modules, which help to develop cross-platform media applications. By utilizing the SFML library, you are provided with the ability to craft games quickly and easily, without going through an extensive learning curve. This effectively serves as a confidence booster, as well as a way to delve into the game development process itself, before having to worry about more advanced topics such as “rendering pipelines” or “shaders.” With just an investment of moderate C++ knowledge, this book will guide you all the way through the journey of game development. The book starts by building a clone of the classical snake game where you will learn how to open a window and render a basic sprite, write well-structured code to implement the design of the game, and use the AABB bounding box collision concept. The next game is a simple platformer with enemies, obstacles and a few different stages. Here, we will be creating states that will provide custom application flow and explore the most common yet often overlooked design patterns used in game development. Last but not the least, we will create a small RPG game where we will be using common game design patterns, multiple GUI. elements, advanced graphical features, and sounds and music features. We will also be implementing networking features that will allow other players to join and play together. By the end of the book, you will be an expert in using the SFML library to its full potential.
Table of Contents (21 chapters)
SFML Game Development By Example
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Chapter 13. We Have Contact! – Networking Basics

In today's world where everyone and everything is interconnected, playing games with your friends is not a new thing anymore. It has become a standard amongst many groups. Expressions such as "frag" or "camping" became buzzwords amongst gamers. Whether it's a 2-4 player LAN party or a massive multiplayer online game, networking obviously plays a huge role in the gaming circles. Introducing the element of other human players amplifies the content added, on top of making the game's universe seem much more alive and flourishing. In many instances, this sort of phenomenon actually brings people together and provides a very enjoyable experience, as long as it's not lagging. It's about time we harness the essence of multiplayer, and perhaps even propagate the six degrees of separation.

In this chapter, we're going to be covering:

  • Fundamentals of networking applications

  • Utilizing threads and ensuring data safety

  • Implementing our own basic communication...