Book Image

OpenGL Game Development By Example

By : Stephen Madsen, Robert Madsen
Book Image

OpenGL Game Development By Example

By: Stephen Madsen, Robert Madsen

Overview of this book

OpenGL is one of the most popular rendering SDKs used to develop games. OpenGL has been used to create everything from 3D masterpieces running on desktop computers to 2D puzzles running on mobile devices. You will learn to apply both 2D and 3D technologies to bring your game idea to life. There is a lot more to making a game than just drawing pictures and that is where this book is unique! It provides a complete tutorial on designing and coding games from the setup of the development environment to final credits screen, through the creation of a 2D and 3D game. The book starts off by showing you how to set up a development environment using Visual Studio, and create a code framework for your game. It then walks you through creation of two games–a 2D platform game called Roboracer 2D and a 3D first-person space shooter game–using OpenGL to render both 2D and 3D graphics using a 2D coordinate system. You'll create sprite classes, render sprites and animation, and navigate and control the characters. You will also learn how to implement input, use audio, and code basic collision and physics systems. From setting up the development environment to creating the final credits screen, the book will take you through the complete journey of creating a game engine that you can extend to create your own games.
Table of Contents (19 chapters)
OpenGL Game Development By Example
Credits
About the Authors
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

A penny for your input


It's likely that at some point in your life, you have been part of a conversation that seemed one-sided. The other party was talking and talking, and it didn't seem you could get a word in. After a while, such a conversation becomes quite boring!

The same would happen with a computer game that didn't allow any input. Input is a set of techniques that allows you to control the game. There are many ways to implement an input system, and we will cover them here.

The keyboard input

The most common form of input for most computers is the keyboard. Obviously, the keyboard can be used to enter text, but the keyboard can also be used to directly control the game.

Some examples of this include the following:

  • Using the right arrow, left arrow, up arrow, and down arrow keys to control the character (we'll be using this)

  • Using the W, A, S, and D keys as to move the character (these keys almost form a cross on the keyboard, making them a good substitute to move up, left, down, and right...