Microsoft® XNA™ Game Studio 3.0 Unleashed

Microsoft® XNA™ Game Studio 3.0 Unleashed

by Chad Carter
Released February 2009
Publisher(s): Sams
ISBN: 9780768688900

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Book description

Using XNA Game Studio 3.0, any programmer can master the art of game development and begin selling games to millions of Xbox 360 users worldwide. Now, there’s a practical, comprehensive guide to game development with Microsoft’s powerful new XNA Game Studio 3.0 and the entire XNA Framework.

In Microsoft® XNA® Game Studio 3.0 Unleashed, XNA expert Chad Carter covers the entire XNA platform, presents extensive sample code, and explains that code line by line. Carter walks you through the entire process of game development, including installing XNA, creating objects, handling input, managing and extending the content pipeline, optimizing game performance, and creating both 3D and 2D games. Carter presents sophisticated coverage of using XNA’s high level shader language; creating physical effects; and endowing characters with realistic artificial intelligence.

A case study section walks through the entire process of planning and coding a game, improving it, and putting on the finishing touches that make it marketable. This edition contains nine new chapters, including all-new sections on creating networked games, programming games for the Zune handheld, and preparing and submitting games to Xbox LIVE, where accepted titles will reach gamers worldwide.

  • Plan your games to deliver solid performance on the platforms you’ve targeted

  • Understand essential XNA Framework concepts, including object creation, cameras, input handling, libraries, game services, and managing and extending the content pipeline

  • Create a 2D game that will run across 3 platforms (Windows, Xbox 360, and Zune) with a single code base

  • Create a Visualizer media player for the Microsoft Zune

  • Use the High Level Shader Language (HLSL) to communicate directly with graphics hardware

  • Bring realistic physics to your game action and realistic artificial intelligence to your characters

  • Create sophisticated 3D effects that use advanced texturing and a particle system

  • Build networked games, including multiplayer demos, turn-based games, and real-time network games

  • Create 4 full games–2D parallax side scroller, 3D shooter, multiplayer turn-based 2D card game, and a multiplayer real-time 3D game

  • Discover best practices for creating Xbox LIVE Community Games

  • Sell your finished game on Xbox LIVE Marketplace 

    • CD-ROM includes: All C# examples and source code presented in this book.

    Table of contents

    1. Title Page
    2. Copyright Page
    3. Contents at a Glance
    4. Contents
    5. Introduction
    6. Part I. Get Up and Running with XNA Game Studio on Your PC and Xbox 360
      1. Chapter 1. Introducing the XNA Framework and XNA Game Studio
      2. Chapter 2. XNA Game Studio and the Xbox 360
      3. Chapter 3. Performance Considerations
    7. Part II. Understanding XNA Framework Basics
      1. Chapter 4. Creating 3D Objects
      2. Chapter 5. Handling Input to Move Our Camera
    8. Part III. Content Pipeline
      1. Chapter 6. Loading and Texturing 3D Objects
      2. Chapter 7. Sound and Music
      3. Chapter 8. Extending the Content Pipeline
    9. Part IV. 2D in XNA Game Studio
      1. Chapter 9. 2D Basics
      2. Chapter 10. 2D Effects
      3. Chapter 11. Creating a 2D Game
    10. Part V. XNA Game Studio and the Zune
      1. Chapter 12. Programming for the Zune
      2. Chapter 13. Running the Game on the Zune
    11. Part VI. High Level Shader Language
      1. Chapter 14. HLSL Basics
      2. Chapter 15. Advanced HLSL
    12. Part VII. Physics and Artificial Intelligence
      1. Chapter 16. Physics Basics
      2. Chapter 17. Finite State Machines and Game State Management
      3. Chapter 18. AI Algorithms
    13. Part VIII. 3D Effects
      1. Chapter 19. Advanced Texturing Techniques
      2. Chapter 20. Special Effects
      3. Chapter 21. Particle System
    14. Part IX. Putting It into Practice
      1. Chapter 22. Creating a 3D Game
      2. Chapter 23. Improving the Game
      3. Chapter 24. Finishing Touches
    15. Part X. XNA Framework Networking
      1. Chapter 25. Networking Basics
      2. Chapter 26. Creating Multiplayer Demos
      3. Chapter 27. Creating a Networking Game Skeleton
      4. Chapter 28. Creating a Turn-based Multiplayer Game
      5. Chapter 29. Creating a Real-time Multiplayer Game
    16. Part XI. Xbox LIVE Community Games
      1. Chapter 30. Best Practices for Creating an Xbox LIVE Community Game
      2. Chapter 31. Selling the Game on Xbox LIVE Marketplace
    17. Index

    Product information

    • Title: Microsoft® XNA™ Game Studio 3.0 Unleashed
    • Author(s): Chad Carter
    • Release date: February 2009
    • Publisher(s): Sams
    • ISBN: 9780768688900