SFML Game Development By Example

Create and develop exciting games from start to finish using SFML

About This Book

• Familiarize yourself with the SFML library and explore additional game development techniques
• Craft, shape, and improve your games with SFML and common game design elements
• A practical guide that will teach you how to use utilize the SFML library to build your own, fully functional applications

Who This Book Is For

This book is intended for game development enthusiasts with at least decent knowledge of the C++ programming language and an optional background in game design.

What You Will Learn

• Create and open a window by using SFML
• Utilize, manage, and apply all of the features and properties of the SFML library
• Employ some basic game development techniques to make your game tick
• Build your own code base to make your game more robust and flexible
• Apply common game development and programming patterns to solve design problems
• Handle your visual and auditory resources properly
• Construct a robust system for user input and interfacing
• Develop and provide networking capabilities to your game

In Detail

Simple and Fast Multimedia Library (SFML) is a simple interface comprising five modules, namely, the audio, graphics, network, system, and window modules, which help to develop cross-platform media applications. By utilizing the SFML library, you are provided with the ability to craft games quickly and easily, without going through an extensive learning curve. This effectively serves as a confidence booster, as well as a way to delve into the game development process itself, before having to worry about more advanced topics such as “rendering pipelines” or “shaders.”

With just an investment of moderate C++ knowledge, this book will guide you all the way through the journey of game development.

The book starts by building a clone of the classical snake game where you will learn how to open a window and render a basic sprite, write well-structured code to implement the design of the game, and use the AABB bounding box collision concept.

The next game is a simple platformer with enemies, obstacles and a few different stages. Here, we will be creating states that will provide custom application flow and explore the most common yet often overlooked design patterns used in game development.

Last but not the least, we will create a small RPG game where we will be using common game design patterns, multiple GUI. elements, advanced graphical features, and sounds and music features. We will also be implementing networking features that will allow other players to join and play together.

By the end of the book, you will be an expert in using the SFML library to its full potential.

Style and approach

An elaborate take on the game development process in a way that compliments the reader's existing knowledge, this book provides plenty of examples and is kind to the uninitiated. Each chapter builds upon the knowledge gained from the previous one and offers clarifications on common issues while still remaining within the scope of its own subject and retaining clarity.