The Microsoft XNA 4.0 Game Development Cookbook is all about what happens once
you've completed the various introductory tutorials, and want to create something with
a little more substance.
In this book, you'll find examples of how to flesh out some of the more complex, or initially
less intuitive, pieces of what goes into a full-blown game.
Not sure what it takes to add water to your Xbox 360 Indie game? Confused about maps for
your Windows Phone game? Curious over what it takes to get started using Kinect with XNA?
Then this book may just be for you.
Microsoft XNA attempts to free game developers from writing "repetitive boilerplate code", allowing them to focus on producing enjoyable gameplay rather than tedious and complicated setup. The Framework has reduced the once steep learning curve for game development, transforming it into something more attainable, and this cookbook will help you to take full advantage of XNA to bring reality into your virtual worlds.
"Microsoft XNA 4.0 Game Development Cookbook" is the perfect resource for propelling your game development capabilities from the simple 2D demo towards engaging and exciting, professional looking games. With a diverse selection of game-related topics covered, discover how to create rich 2D and 3D worlds filled with interesting characters, detailed scenery and dynamic special effects applicable to PC, Xbox 360, and Windows Phone 7 game play.
There is no shortage of introductory texts available for XNA, a number of which are fantastic for getting started with simple 2D games, but "Microsoft XNA 4.0 Game Development Cookbook" will help you take the steps to start producing games that have deeper gameplay, compelling graphics and that little bit of extra polish!
The book's recipes will get you up and going quickly with the next level of game features such as 3D graphics, AI, and network play.
With this practical cookbook to hand, even the more experienced developer will be better equipped to achieve high level tasks with XNA in a quick and efficient manner.
What you will learn from this book
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Dive straight in to creating Special Effects like shadows, smoke and explosions
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Get up to speed with creating both 2D and 3D terrain, including height maps and block worlds
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Create more natural character animation with shortcuts like motion capture through Kinect and Rag Doll physics
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Create 3D objects like spheres, tori and trees with code instead of modeling software
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Add atmosphere to your world with virtual water, sky and clouds
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Understand how to set the foundation for multiplayer gaming with networking
Approach
"Microsoft XNA 4.0 Game Development Cookbook" is a fast-paced cookbook for taking your knowledge of the framework further with advanced game development tasks. Packed with step-by-step instructions and screenshots, the book will solve an experienced developer's everyday coding problems.
Who this book is written for
If you are an XNA developer who has already successfully mastered simple 2D and 3D XNA tasks, dive into "Microsoft XNA 4.0 Game Development Cookbook" for something more challenging. You should be comfortable with the basics of the XNA framework, and have experience with C#.