Beginning Math Concepts for Game Developers - Softcover

John Flynt; Boris Meltreger

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1598632906 ISBN 13: 9781598632903

Publisher: Cengage Learning PTR, 2006

Synopsis

Successful game programmers understand that in order to take their skills beyond the basics, they must have an understanding of central math topics; however, finding a guide that explains how these topics relate directly to games is not always easy. Beginning Math Concepts for Game Developers is the solution! It includes several hands-on activities in which basic math equations are used for the creation of graphs and, ultimately, animations. By the time you finish, you will have developed a complete application from the ground up that allows you to endlessly explore game development scenarios for 2D games. If you have a basic understanding of programming essentials and a desire to hone your math skills, then get ready to take a unique journey that examines what is possible when you combine game development with basic math concepts.

About this title

Review

1. GETTING STARTED WITH C# AND THE MATH LIBRARY A. C# as a Game Development Language B. Setting up a Project C. Inspecting the Math Library D. Guess a Number 2. FUNCTIONS AND METHODS A. Understanding Functions as Patterns B. Creating Lab for Exploring Functions a.Generating Date for a Table b.Developing Classes c.Equations and Methods 3. CONCEPTS BEHIND FUNCTIONS A. Number Domains B. Restricted Values C. Handling Exceptions D. Making use of a List to Store Function Output E. Fields and Properties F. Division By Zero and Other Mysteries 4. EXTENDING THE LAB WITH A COORDINATE PLANE A. How to Graph B. Putting the List Values to Work C. Using a Flag D. Closing E. The True Value Game 5. LOCAL AND WORLD SPACE IN CARTESIAN TERMS A. Spawning a Cartesian Plane. B. Learning How to Do Things Twice C. Understanding Grids D. Axes and How to Make Them E. Making Your Point F. Finding the Curve 6. CHANGING THINGS: LINES, SLOPES, AND METHODS A. What Counts As a Valid Function B. Constant Functions C. How to Make a Profit D. Linear Things E. Making Things Visible F. Method Overloading H. The Factory Game 7. QUADRATICS AND OTHER FUNCTIONS A. Parabolas B. Minimum and Maximum C. Absolute Values D. Discontinuous Functions E. Stair Steps and Other Antics F. The Table Game 8. LIMITS AND METHODS FOR THEM A. Talk of Limits B. Bicycle Tires C. Different forms of Limits D. Continuity E. Infinity F. Creating Graphics That Merge 9. ANIMATING THE WORLD A. Threads and Timers B. Eliminating Flicker C. Derived Classes D. Working with Arrays of Continuous Values E. Queues and Coordinates F. Event Generation G. Event Detection 10. IN TO THE GAME A. Derivation and Acceleration B. Controlling Flight C. Multiplying Complexity D. A Target Game E. Extended Intelligence in Games

Synopsis

This book provides fun, hands-on explanations of nine topics central to calculus as related to game development. The book explains the mathematics and programming involved in developing nine accompanying computer programming applications furnished with the book's CD. The book allows readers to study first semester calculus by involving themselves in a standard set of calculus topics. They, then, create programs that allow them to apply the math they have learned. The topics covered in the book are derived from a curriculum of applied math skills prepared by a math professor from the University of Colorado who has years of experience teaching calculus to engineering students who have required remedial math courses. Topics are conveyed in a direct, easy-to-understand and relevent method that allows readers to readily apply their skills.

Edition details

• Publisher: Cengage Learning PTR
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1598632906
• ISBN 13: 9781598632903
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 336