Free eBooks On C++ Game Programming

C++ is indeed the industry's standard language in game programming especially because it is an object oriented and mid-level language that compiles to binary. Also because it is fast and uses less memory. So if you are planning to jump into the world of C++ game programming, then here we bring 6 free ebooks to help you through.




1. wxWidgets tutorial
by Jan Bodnar - ZetCode , 2007
The book is wxWidgets tutorial for the C++ programming language. wxWidgets is a cross platform toolkit or framework for creating C++ GUI applications. After reading the book, you will be able to program non trivial wxWidgets applications.

2. C++ GUI Programming with Qt 4
by Jasmin Blanchette, Mark Summerfield - Prentice Hall , 2008
this book reveals today's best Qt programming patterns with realistic examples and in-depth advice. It covers everything from implementing model/view architecture to using Qt 4.3's improved graphics support.

3. Beginning C++ Through Game Programming
by Michael Dawson - Course Technology PTR , 2010
If you're ready to jump into the world of programming for games, Beginning C++ Through Game Programming will provide you with a solid foundation in the game programming language of the professionals.

4. Learning to Draw Basic Graphics in C++
by Michael Morrison - InformIT , 2004
Learn how to use C++ code to create basic animated graphics in this chapter from Beginning Game Programming by Michael Morrison. Practical lesson based on C++ programming, the basics of drawing graphics using the Windows Graphics Device Interface.

5. C++ GUI Programming with Qt 3
by Jasmin Blanchette, Mark Summerfield - Prentice Hall PTR , 2004
The book teaches solid Qt programming practices and covers everything one need to know to build industrial-strength applications with Qt 3.2.x and C++ on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux/Unix, and embedded Linux with no source code changes.

6. Cross-Platform GUI Programming with wxWidgets
by Julian Smart, Kevin Hock, Stefan Csomor - Prentice Hall PTR , 2005
wxWidgets is a free C++ API for writing GUI applications. This book is the best way for beginning developers to learn wxWidgets programming in C++. It is a must-have for programmers thinking of using wxWidgets and those already using it.

Author : Shivam Kotwalia, CodeKill    

Here Are 8 Free Online Courses In Game Design

Choose the course that's right for you and start designing! 

Are you an aspiring game developer, a designer or just want to try out different things? Information is available online for all your needs and more. Online courses are the latest trend in learning, and subsequent developing. Game design and development involves various fields and can be quite a tough nut to crack, but once you have your basics right, you might just end up making that big budget game of your own!

Here are 8 free online courses in game design:

1. Blender 3D Design at Tufts University

-Learn how to use the Blender software for modeling and 3D animation.

-The free course includes lecture notes, project assignments, samples of other students' works and additional supplemental materials.

-Students must have Blender downloaded to a computer (its free), Adobe Acrobat Reader, Python and a media player.

2. Computer Game Programming at Eastern Michigan University

-Learn how to design, implement and test a 2D or 3D game.

-Visual C++ or other integrated development environment (IDE) software program is needed to do the assignments in the course.

3. Computer Games and Simulations for Investigation and Education at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

-Learn how to design educational games and simulations.

-Create your own board and video games.

4. Game Design at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

-The course covers card games, board games, sports and role-playing games through study materials, assignments and other resources.

-More than 30 audio lectures are available on topics such as strategy and skill, iterative design, prototyping, puzzles etc.

5. GameMaker Tutorial at University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)

-Go through a step-by-step process of programming a game that makes balls bounce inside a box until they break the walls to escape.

6. Instructional Games at Utah State University

-Study the academic benefits of video games and ways to assess the value of educational games.

7. The Mathematics in Toys and Games at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

-Study game theory through subjects such as probability and basic programming.

-Use math skills to devise games through readings, lecture notes, homework and completed sample projects.

8. Game Design Tips from New Mexico State University (NMSU)

-Provides an overview of how programmers can develop good educational games.

Author : Shivam Kotwalia, CodeKill

8 Free Open Source Game Engines For Android Game Development

Want to make 3D games for mobile platforms? These should help! 

Game engines give developers the tools required to pull the several elements of a game together into one unit. With mobile gaming picking up, more developers are paying attention to Android and iOS platforms. So, keeping that in mind, here are eight free gaming engines that you can use for your next game! 1. Alien3D: This is an OpenGL ES-based game engine for the Android operating system that is available for free. Language: Java Platforms: Android Price: Free License: Apache License 2.0 (Open Source) 2. AllBinary Platform: This is another OpenGL ES-based game engine that can be used for Android games. The ZeptoRacer 3D game was developed on this. Language: Java Platforms: Android HTML5 Price: Free License: AllBinary Open License Version 1 (Open Source) 3. AndEngine: This free 2D OpenGL-based game engine was used to design games like Spaceman Bob, Man vs Mosquito, Xelorians, Save the Earth and many others. Language: Java 2D games Platforms: Android Price: Free License: Apache license (Open Source) 4. Android Box2d: This rigid 2D body physics engine has been written in C++ and is an open source engine available for free. Language: Java Platforms: Android Price: Free License: GNU GPL v2 (Open Source) 5. Android GL Engine: This engine, coded in Java, can be used in order to develop 2D games for Google’s Android operating system. Language: Java Platforms: Android Price: Free License: GNU Lesser General Public License (Open Source) 6. App Game Kit: This game engine allows you to code once and then run your game on multiple platforms. It has been used for games like App-In-Ball Pinball Simulator for Android and Big Guys for iPhone. Language: C++ Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows Price: Free Trial License: Proprietary 7. Ardor3D: Using this engine, you can run your games on computer platforms as well. These include Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and Solaris. The engine supports both Java and OpenGL. Language: Java Platforms: Android Price: Free License: libpng/zlib license (Open Source) 8. BatteryTech Engine: This engine can again be used for a variety of mobile platforms like Android, iOS and others. It provides direct access to several XCode and Android projects and uses many open standards. You can use it for both 2D and 3D games. Language: C++ Platforms: iPhone, Android Price: Free License: Proprietary

Shivam Kotwalia, CodeKill