Book Image

jMonkeyEngine 3.0 : Beginner's Guide

Book Image

jMonkeyEngine 3.0 : Beginner's Guide

Overview of this book

jMonkeyEngine 3.0 is a powerful set of free Java libraries that allows you to unlock your imagination, create 3D games and stunning graphics. Using jMonkeyEngine's library of time-tested methods, this book will allow you to unlock its potential and make the creation of beautiful interactive 3D environments a breeze."jMonkeyEngine 3.0 Beginner's Guide" teaches aspiring game developers how to build modern 3D games with Java. This primer on 3D programming is packed with best practices, tips and tricks and loads of example code. Progressing from elementary concepts to advanced effects, budding game developers will have their first game up and running by the end of this book.From basic concepts and project creation to building a complex 3D Game, you will learn to layout 3D scenes, make them interactive and add various multi-media effects.You will find answers to common questions including best practices and approaches, how game characters can act and interact, how to simulate solid walls and physical forces, how to take it online to play over a network and much more.From Zero to Hero, start your journey to make your game idea a reality.
Table of Contents (20 chapters)
jMonkeyEngine 3.0 Beginner's Guide
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

The digital Dungeon Master


Have you ever played a role-playing game (RPG) such as Dungeons & Dragons? In a pen-and-paper RPG, one of the players takes the role of the storyteller or Dungeon Master (DM). The DM keeps track of the score and describes the scene in words. The DM controls all non-player characters (NPCs), enemies as well as extras. The DM is also the referee who interprets rules.

In a computer game, the listen-update-render loop takes the role of the Dungeon Master. Instead of players moving pieces on the table, Java input listeners trigger game actions. Instead of players rolling dice and looking up rules, the update loop manages game mechanics. Instead of the DM deciding on random encounters, the update loop controls NPC behavior. Instead of the DM describing the scene in words, the renderer draws the scene in 3D.