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

Entering the matrix


Now for the topic that strikes fear into the heart of all new game programmers: matrices. Matrices are a mathematical device (part of linear algebra) that makes it easier to work with large sets of related numbers.

In its simplest form, a matrix is a table of numbers. Let's say that I wanted to represent a coordinate in space. I could write its value down as follows:

Vectors

A single row or single column of a matrix is called a vector. Vectors are important because they can be used to both position things and move things.

The typical matrix used in games contains four values: x, y, z, and w. These x, y, and z components typically refer to a position in the 3D coordinate system, while the w is a switch:

  • The value 1 means that this vector is a position

  • The value 0 means that this vector is a velocity

Here's an example:

  • The vector, (1, 5, 10, 1), represents a point at x = 1, y = 5, and z = 10 in a 3D coordinate system.

  • The vector, (1, 5, 10, 0), is a point that moves 1 unit in the...