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Beginning Java 5 Game Programming
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by Jonathan S. Harbour
Sales Rank: 510007
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List Price: $29.99
$19.79
At Amazon
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Paperback: 376 pages
Publisher: Course Technology PTR; 1 edition April 25, 2006
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1598631500
ISBN-13: 978-1598631500
Product Dimensions:
8.9 x 7.3 x 1.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
Product Description
If you are interested in creating games for the casual game market, then get ready to set the wheels in motion! This hands-on guide for beginners allows you to increase your skill level along the way as you create a game full of cool artwork and intricate details. This book is not an introductory guide to the Java programming language, but instead serves as an introduction to the field of game programming using Java. From the basics of creating simple Java programs and writing graphics code to utilizing Java’s advanced 2D library and adding sound effects and music, this book’s step-by-step instructions will help you acquire all the skills you need to create a professional-quality, sprite-based game.
About The Author
Jonathan S. Harbour is an Associate Professor of Game Development at the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe, Arizona. His current game project is Starflight: The Lost Colony (www.starflightgame.com). He lives in Arizona with his wife, Jennifer, four children (Jeremiah, Kayleigh, Kaitlyn, Kourtney), a dog (Lucy), a cat (Missy), and six temperamental computers (ages 1 to 8). He can be reached at www.jharbour.com.
Customer Reviews & Comments
This book is true to its name, since it is truly beginning Java game programming. However, I really coudn't find anything that was unique to Java 5 in the contents. Part one is actually a tutorial on the Java programming language from the perspective of what you need to know to write your own 2D game. It really is too shallow and too focused on just those parts of Java that are required to write games to be helpful to a complete Java novice. If you are a beginner to Java, you should consult "Core Java" or "Learning Java" to learn the actual Java language basics first. Part two is particularly good for beginning game programmers who already know Java, as the chapters boil down what is necessary for programming a simple 2D game in Java complete with sound effects. The author does a good job of explaining Java2D, threads, and the concept of a game loop. I particularly liked his succinct treatment of creating a framework for Java games. He does a better job of explaining what a software framework is than many books I've read that are dedicated to the subject. He tops off part two by writing a complete 2D game in Java named "Galactic War", which you can actually play in applet form if you go to the author's website. In summary, I would recommend this book if you already understand the basics of the Java language, need more instruction on its basic multimedia capabilities, and would like to learn those capabilities through the fun activity of building a 2D game. If you would like a more advanced book on Java game programming after you finish this one, try the excellent "Killer Game Programming in Java" by Davison. I notice Amazon does not show the table of contents, so I do that next: Part I: Java for Beginners Chapter 1 Getting Started with Java 5 Chapter 2 Java Programming Essentials Chapter 3 Keyboard and Mouse Input Chapter 4 Sound Effects and Music Chapter 5 Creating Your First Java Game Part II: Java 2-D Game Programming Chapter 6 Java 2-D--Vector Graphics and Bitmaps Chapter 7 The Game Loop, Timing, and Threads Chapter 8 Basic 2-D Actors--the Infamous "Sprite" Chapter 9 Advanced Sprite Programming--Animation Chapter 10 Creating a Java Game Framework Chapter 11 Enhancing and Polishing Galactic War Chapter 12 Deploying Java Games on the Web Part III: Appendices Appendix A Chapter Quiz Answers Appendix B Recommended Books and Web Sites
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Beginning Java 5 Game Programming
List Price: $29.99
Available from Amazon
Price: $19.79
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