How to Write Retro Games - Web Programming (Paperback)

About This Book

What is a game? Why do you play games? What happens when you play games? Do you feel excited? Frustrated? Challenged? Games are more than just entertainment - they are fundamental to how we learn and grow. From childhood to adulthood, games help us develop skills, test our limits, and engage with the world in ways that few other activities can. Not all games are created equal - different games teach us different things. Some sharpen our reflexes, others train our strategic thinking, and some immerse us in rich narratives that expand our imagination. But writing games can be just as rewarding and challenging as playing the game! When I ask my students in computer graphics to choose a project, many of them want to develop a video game. And why not? A well-designed game can be just as rigorous and complex as any 'serious' software project - if not more! The next question they ask is, 'How do I write a video game?' That's why I wrote this book - to provide a practical guide to game development, breaking it down into clear, approachable steps. Computer games are not just about interactive graphics; they are carefully crafted experiences that blend mechanics, design, and challenges together to keep players engaged. Fortunately, modern computers - and even mobile devices - are powerful enough so anyone can create their own games. With the right skills, knowledge, and patience, anyone can build something amazing. This book will help you develop those skills and expand your knowledge - the patience part is up to you. To make learning accessible and experimentation easy, I've chosen to write the examples in JavaScript using the HTML Canvas API. This allows you to run games directly in a web browser, making them easy to edit, test, and share. Don't underestimate what a web browser can do - it provides access to a vast range of built-in resources and makes rapid prototyping simple. The concepts you learn here can be built upon or adapted to other languages and platforms.

Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or an experienced professional seeking advanced knowledge, this book has something valuable to offer.

Key Features

Comprehensive coverage of Books concepts
Practical examples and real-world applications
Step-by-step tutorials and exercises
Written by industry experts
Companion website with additional resources

Book Statistics

Rating: 3.7

Reviews: 247

Pages: 420

Language: English

Sales Rank: #9478

Popularity: 74%

Customer Reviews

Sawyer Smith

Backend Engineer at DataBloom

In the academic study of programming, this volume stands out as Thought-provoking. The author demonstrates a profound understanding of the subject matter. An essential reference for serious scholars in the discipline. Key themes are examined with clarity and depth. Methodology is sound and consistently applied. This work bridges a critical gap in the existing literature. It deserves a prominent place in academic libraries.

Emerson King

Systems Architect at VerseTech

Not gonna lie, I was pretty curious about programming, so I gave this a shot. Laid-back. It’s one of those reads you can chill with. Good one to keep around when you want something casual.

Charlie Allen

CTO Advisor at Stanford University

As a researcher in the field of javascript, I found this work to be Exceptionally well-structured. Methodology is sound and consistently applied. Key themes are examined with clarity and depth. This work bridges a critical gap in the existing literature. An essential reference for serious scholars in the discipline. The author demonstrates a profound understanding of the subject matter. I would highly recommend this book to both students and established professionals.

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