Book Image

Mastering AndEngine Game Development

By : Maya Posch
Book Image

Mastering AndEngine Game Development

By: Maya Posch

Overview of this book

AndEngine is a popular and easy-to-use game framework, best suited for Android game development. After learning the basics of creating an Android game using AndEngine it's time you move beyond the basics to explore further. For this you need to understand the theory behind many of the technologies AndEngine uses. This book aims to provide all the skills and tools you need to learn more about Android game development using AndEngine. With this book you will get a quick overview of the basics of AndEngine and Android application development. From there, you will learn how to use 3D models in a 2D scene, render a visual representation of a scene's objects, and create interaction between these objects. You will explore frame-based animations and learn to use skeletal animations. As the book progresses, you will be guided through exploring all the relevant aspects of rendering graphics with OpenGL ES, generating audio using OpenSL ES and OpenAL, making the best use of Android's network API, implementing anti-aliasing algorithms, shaders, dynamic lighting and much more. With all this, you will be ready to enhance the look and feel of your game with its user interface, sound effects and background music. After an in-depth study of 2D and 3D worlds and multi-player implementations, you will be a master in AndEngine and Android game development.
Table of Contents (21 chapters)
Mastering AndEngine Game Development
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
www.PacktPub.com
Preface
Index

Why 3D in a 2D game makes sense


The reasons we want to use 3D models in our 2D scene include the following:

  • Recycling of assets: You can use the same models as used for a 3D game engine project, as well as countless others.

  • Broader base of talent: You'll be able to use a 3D modeler for your 2D game, as good sprite artists are so rare.

  • Ease of animation: Good animation with sprites is hard. With 3D models, you can use various existing utilities to get smooth animations with ease.

As for the final impact it has on the game's looks, it's no silver bullet but should ease the development somewhat. The quality of the used models and produced animations as well as the way they are integrated into a scene will determine the final look.