Beginning Java SE 6 Game Programming

As a "Beginning Java SE 6 Game Programming", I don't see anything wrong with the book. Need to say that I like the book up to chapter 14. Adding Game class, one more layer of abstraction, is too complicated. However, I confess that I am not OOP purist or enthusiast. Codes can be downloaded from publisher's site.

Sadly, this is probably one of the best Java game programming books out there, but there is much more to be desired. Being a Java developer, this was perfect for my needs. The book provided the methods of game programming logic that I needed. Unfortunately, even if you're a beginning Java programmer, I would suggest something else. If you don't want to write Java web-applets (which I don't even know many that do), or at least pair it with something that will teach you programing Java applications.Even though it is known that you need to understand Java, this book takes that statement even further. At the beginning, the author wastes two chapters rambling about things you would find in a beginning Java book, and then contradicts himself a couple paragraphs later. Not only that, bits of code, like the initializing html file for Java applets is mentioned before you even need it; then never brought up again when you actually need the code. After half a chapter of different IDEs for Java, you're given code, and instructions that don't even work for setting up a text editor claiming to be an IDE.Ignoring these things, I continued on through the book, only to realize that it was even more clumsy than I thought. Once you start entering code, and get to the point of testing; hope that you did not mess anything up through the pages of inconsistent spacing, and poor programming; because the author neglected to provide any way to find the sources for the book. After using a search engine as a citing resource, then traversing his site; I found the source code from the 2nd edition, that was exactly the same code as the only code for the 3rd edition. Even when everything is working well, instead of sticking with one topic, the author jumps around, distracting you from the main program (which is progressively created throughout the entire book), by putting various different demonstration projects in between; which could have been presented before the main project. In the end, after reading lots of posts about missing blocks of code from readers, resulted in reading the logic to use in my own projects; ignoring the provided project completely.I hope that the author takes more time on the 4th edition, actually making changes to the text, providing links to code, omitting wasted space, possibly giving a bit more of a clear understanding to needed code, and using an IDE the majority uses. Even being a new book, the programming is outdated, and lacking in good practice. It surprises me that an actual "Course Study" publisher would allow a book like this to go through without any sort of editing, but I've come to the conclusion that the "ptr" in the publisher's name, actually means "Public Test Release"; not "Professional Technical Resource".

Reading this book, I have come to notice that the author is very disorganized and like to stray off subject in this book. It offers sum notoriety onto how java works, but it fails to explain. if you have read a basic java book you will be fine, if not make it a point to order a reference book to look back to for help.If you have read a java book or have one at your side well reading this, you will learn alot of intresting things that are overlooked in other books. I was looking for a book to show me what i needed to know to make a game, and i found it. This book will show you how to creat 2D Java Apllets and Java Aplications.

A good book for beginning Java game programming.

While many of the technologies used in this book are no longer really in vogue, the techniques and the way the author teaches it are really well done. I had a great time learning the basics of game programming while re-learning Java.

A while back i brought this book and gave it a 1-star rating, i thought it was because the book was written poorly but what the problem that i had was my lack of understanding of java, afterwards i went to seek out a book on computer science(Glencoe Introduction to Computer Science Using Java). After a few months of using the computer science book, i returned to this book and a lot of things were a bit easier for me to understand. The main reason is because not only did the comp science book help me with the syntax, but it also had repitition with the syntax, which made everything easier to understand when some new syntax was added to the mix. Now this book, uses that repition factor to help me learn what i need to learn in this book. So again if you're new or somewhat new to Java: 1-computer science book, 2-use this book after or aside with it.

He explains the gaming market and then how Java compares to other languages. There is also a review chapter for those who are fairly new to the Java language or programming itself.

You're searching amazon for a "learn java through game programming book" when you find this great one! Only one problem... it asumes you already have a base knowledge of java.Get a java primer book. Take the extra time to learn about the syntax and basic build of the java language, then come back to buy this one.End result 3 outta five.

I originally had the electronic version of this book, but I bought the paper copy for reference as I really enjoyed it.This book is by no means for anyone who is completely new to Java, only to developing games in Java. I advise that you have a solid foundation in java fundamentals before reading this book ('Java: How To Program' by Deitel would be my starting recommendation).You start off by first building a basic version of Asteroids, the old retro arcade game, using simple solid vector shapes. After this point, you work your way through several chapters, each breaking down an individual aspect of game programming with relevant examples to work through for each. Finally, at the end of the book, you produce another more complex version of Asteroids called Galactic War - complete with bitmap graphics and sound effects.Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone.NOTE: I assume this book is supposed to come complete with a C.D containing source code, images and sound files. I did not receive this with my copy, however a .zip file can be found online with a simple Google search.

Very good book

Very useful intro into game programming in Java.

Diese Buch ist leider ein sehr schlechts Beispiel für Java Programmierung. Der Autor, dessen diverse andere Bücher auch nicht gerade das versprechen was erwartet wird, scheint hier Java und C++ leicht vermischt zu haben.Für Java Einsteiger ist das Buch definitiv nicht geeignet. Wenn ein Gelegenheitsprogrammierer das Weltraumspiel Androids mit 640 * 480 Auflösung anpassen will, und unbrauchbare Java Techniken lernen, will ok. Aber als Lehrbuch dieses Werk zu bezeichnen um Gottes willen.Ein Beispiel: int screen = 680; oder int ADNDROIDS = 10; usw. usw. Das ist eine Konstante. final scheint der Autor nicht zu kennen. Objekte und OOP kommt zwangsweise drin vor. class ist ja wichtig in Java. Aber wie.super("Fenstername"); im Frame Standkonstruktur wie es im Java 1.0 Handbuch bereits erklärt wird, und dann wars das schon.Ein Klasse Sprite werden von Object abgeleitet, soweit, so gut, eine weitere Klasse BaseGameEntity, auch von Object.Jetzt kommt noch eine Klasse ImageEntity die wird erstmal von BaseGameEntity angeleitet, und soll dann in Sprite verwendet werden. Über Implentierungen kann man ja streiten, aber in Sprite dann ImageEntity als Private Member anzulegen, und wie anschlueßend dann da programmiert wird, auweia. Interface wäre nicht schlecht.Dieser ganze Codemurks scheint wohl (reine Vermutung) vielleicht auf eine C++ Version dieser Programmbeispiele zurückzuführen zu sein. Mehrfachvererbung würde einiges erklären. Aber warum so kompliziert??Aber selbst in C++ wäre dies dann alles naja naja.Für Quick und Dirty Programmierer ein Buch, vielleicht, aber schade um den Zeitaufwand. In einem Buch über evil practices, ja da wären dieses Codebeispiele der absolute Hit. Oder Silly Errors in Java and More Silly Errors in Java Part 2!Kann nur raten - Finger weg!Das Buch wurde natürlich wieder zurückgesendet! Urspünglich sollte dieses Buch mit EINE Grundlage für eine mehrwöchige Schulung sein. Wie das mit dem Timing und den Threads gelöst wird, also, man kann mit Java Spiele entwickeln, aber nicht mit so einer Grundlage. Selbst Anfängern mu0 man wegen der vielen Schlampereien abraten.Ein weiterer Fehler, nicht gravierend, aber typisch. In vielen Java Beispiele wird import java.net.* verwendet, auch wenn nicht eine Methode aus dieser Klasse VERWENDET wird.Der Autor setzt auf Textpad und Netbeans. Alles ok, hätte er aber stattdessen Eclipse verwendet und mal auf Quickfix gedrückt,dann hätte Quickfix die fehlerhaften Importe bereinigt, was für ein Lehrbuch ja nicht schlecht gewesen wäre.Ich bezweifele als sehr, das dieser Autor fundierte Java Kenntnisse hat.

The layout of this book is terrible. It waffles on with the text and randomly has screenshots in odd places. Yes they are referenced but it looks awful and its a nightmare to keep track of. Also It often just gives you the code to enter but doesn't actually tell you what it does. Shame really.