Book Image

Learning Java by Building Android Games - Second Edition

By : John Horton
Book Image

Learning Java by Building Android Games - Second Edition

By: John Horton

Overview of this book

Android is one of the most popular mobile operating systems presently. It uses the most popular programming language, Java, as the primary language for building apps of all types. However, this book is unlike other Android books in that it doesn’t assume that you already have Java proficiency. This new and expanded second edition of Learning Java by Building Android Games shows you how to start building Android games from scratch. The difficulty level will grow steadily as you explore key Java topics, such as variables, loops, methods, object oriented programming, and design patterns, including code and examples that are written for Java 9 and Android P. At each stage, you will put what you’ve learned into practice by developing a game. You will build games such as Minesweeper, Retro Pong, Bullet Hell, and Classic Snake and Scrolling Shooter games. In the later chapters, you will create a time-trial, open-world platform game. By the end of the book, you will not only have grasped Java and Android but will also have developed six cool games for the Android platform.
Table of Contents (30 chapters)
Learning Java by Building Android Games Second Edition
Contributors
Preface
Index

Platform Game: Bob Was in A Hurry


This is the most advanced game in the book. It has multiple levels and hundreds of game objects per level. The player must get from the start of the level, find and then reach the exit. Fastest times are kept as high scores for each of the three levels. However, there are also collectable coins scattered throughout the levels and a time penalty is added on to the finish time for each one left uncollected. Precise jumps are required, and the best route is not always obvious so a player wanting to do well will need to explore and experiment. The whole level is not visible on screen all at once. The level can be dozens of times the size of the screen, so exploration is required to see the whole thing.

Let's have a look at some screen-shots to understand the game better.

In the previous image you can see the home screen. The text labelled as number one is the fastest times for each of the three levels, Underground, Mountains and Cave. Double tapping on the appropriate...