Programming for Game Design A Hands-On Guide with Godot

Create video game elements using the Godot game engine, gaining practical experience in programming and video game development. The Godot game engine uses a simplified programming language called GDScript, which closely resembles Python. By learning GDScript, you can focus more on learning the basics of programming.

You’ll explore concepts such as variables and data structures variables used to store information about video game objects that can be manipulated using a keyboard or a mouse. You’ll also learn about user interface design, branching statements, and looping statements, enabling you to actively engage in programming and create your own interactive games.

By the end of the book, you’ll have a solid understanding of how video game elements work and how the basic principles of programming work as well. By programming simple video game elements in the Godot game engine, you’ll learn both programming and the principles of 2D video game design.

What You Will Learn

• Understand the basics of programming by creating simple video game elements in the Godot game engine.
• Explore variables and data structures to actively store and modify information about video game objects.
• Gain a deeper understanding of user interface design.
• Master simplified programming languages like GDScript.

Who This Book Is For

Aspiring programmers and game enthusiasts seeking an engaging introduction to programming through video game creation.

Chapter 1: Why learn programming with the Godot game engine

Chapter 2: Getting to know Godot

Chapter 4: Storing data in variables

Chapter 5: Mathematical operations 

Chapter 6: Branching statements

Chapter 7: Looping statements

Chapter 9:  Understanding dictionaries

Chapter 10: Functions

Chapter 11:  Object-oriented programming

Chapter 12:  Getting input from the user

Chapter 14:  Adding projectiles to a player

Chapter 15:  Hitting enemies with projectiles

Chapter 16: Displaying a user interface

Chapter 17: Adding physics

Chapter 19: Creating and using scenes

Chapter 20: Using Signals

Chapter 21: Creating a Simple Tic-Tac-Toe Game

Wallace Wang has been writing computer books for over 30 years, including Steal This Computer Book, Microsoft Office for Dummies, Beginning Programming for Dummies, Beginning iPhone Development with SwiftUI, and The Structure of Game Design” to name just a few. He created the board game, “Orbit War,” for Steve Jackson Games, which simulated satellite warfare in the near future. He also writes screenplays and won first place in Scriptapalooza’s 2023 screenwriting competition.