MERCURY LEARNING and INFORMATION provides print and digital content in the areas of science and medicine, technology and computing, engineering, and mathematics (STEM disciplines) designed for the professional/reference, trade, library, higher education, career school, and online training markets. We embrace both traditional and innovative publishing models designed to accommodate the needs of the intended audience by using the appropriate delivery methods.

Classic Game Design

From Pong to Pac-Man with Unity

Second Edition

Author

ISBN: 978-1-68392-385-5
Pub Date: June 2019
Specs: 7 x 9 Paperback
Pages: 296
Price: $59.95

You too can learn to design and develop classic arcade video games like Pong, Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Scramble. Collision detection, extra lives, power ups, and countless other essential design elements were invented by the mostly anonymous designers at the early pioneering companies that produced these great games. In this book you'll go step by step, using modern, free software tools such as Unity to create five games in the classic style, inspired by retro favorites like: Pong, Breakout, Space Invaders, Scramble, and Pac-Man. All the source code, art, and sound sources for the projects are available on the companion files. You'll discover the fun of making your own games, putting in your own color graphics, adjusting the scoring, coding the AI, and creating the sound effects. You'll gain a deep understanding of the roots of modern video game design: the classics of the '70s and '80s.

FEATURES

Uses Unity, C#, Blender, GIMP, and Audacity to make five fun classic games
4-color throughout with companion files that include source code, art, and full projects (also available for downloading from the publisher)
Includes historical anecdotes direct from one of the fabled Atari coin-op programmers
Detailed step-by-step instructions, dozens of exercises, and rules of classic game design
Contains unique insights on applying classic game design concepts to modern games

BRIEF TABLE OF CONTENTS

1: Introduction. 2: Tools of the Trade. 3: Pong. 4: Classic Paddle Game. 5: Breakout. 6: Classic Brick
Game. 7: Space Invaders. 8: Classic Game Project Three: Vertical Shooter. 9: Scramble. 10: Classic Game Project Four: Scrolling Shooter. 11: Pac-Man. 12: Classic Game Project Five: Maze Game. Epilogue.
Appendix I: Introduction to C#. Appendix II: Eight Rules of Classic Game Design. Appendix III: About the DVD.

ON THE COMPANION FILES!

All the source code, art, and sound sources for the projects are available on the companion disc (also available for downloading from the publisher)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Franz Lanzinger is best known as the pioneering programmer and chief designer of Atari's Crystal Castles. Mr. Lanzinger is owner of Lanzinger Studio, publisher and developer of the Gubble series.