Essential XNA Game Studio 2.0 Programming provides both hobbyists and experienced programmers with the information they need to take advantage of Microsoft’s powerful XNA Framework and XNA Game Studio to produce professional-level games for both the PC and the Xbox 360. Beginners learn the fundamentals of 2D game development, creating a complete top-down shooter. Intermediate and advanced users can jump right into 3D game development and create a version of the 3D game that takes advantage of hardware acceleration using High-Level Shader Language (HLSL). Learn how to build an input system to receive events from devices; use the Microsoft Cross-Platform Audio Creation Tool (XACT) to integrate sounds and music into your game; design difficulty systems to tailor your game to players with different skill levels; create a multiplayer game using the networking features of the XNA Framework; implement an achievement system to provide incentive for continued play of your game.

Get Started Fast with XNA Game Studio 4.0–and Build Great Games for Both Windows® Phone 7 and Xbox 360® This is the industry’s best reference and tutorial for all aspects of XNA Game Studio 4.0 programming on all supported platforms, from Xbox 360 to Windows Phone 7 and Windows PCs. The only game development book authored by Microsoft XNA development team members, it offers deep insider insights you won’t get anywhere else–including thorough coverage of new Windows Phone APIs for mobile game development. You’ll quickly build simple games and get comfortable with Microsoft’s powerful XNA Game Studio 4.0 toolset. Next, you’ll drill down into every area of XNA, including graphics, input, audio, video, storage, GamerServices, and networking. Miller and Johnson present especially thorough coverage of 3D graphics, from Reach and HiDef to textures, effects, and avatars. Throughout, they introduce new concepts with downloadable code examples designed to help you jumpstart your own projects. Coverage includes Downloading, installing, and getting started with XNA Game Studio 4 Building on capabilities provided in the default game template Using 2D sprites, textures, sprite operations, blending, and SpriteFonts Creating high-performance 3D graphics with XNA’s newly simplified APIs Loading, generating, recording, and playing audio Supporting keyboards, mice, Xbox 360 controllers, Touch, accelerometer, and GPS inputs Managing all types of XNA storage Using avatars as characters in your games Utilizing gamer types, player profiles, presence information, and other GamerServices Supporting Xbox LIVE and networked games Creating higher-level input systems that seamlessly manage cross-platform issues From Windows Phone 7 mobile gaming to Xbox 360, XNA Game Studio 4.0 creates huge new opportunities for experienced Microsoft developers. This book helps you build on skills you already have, to create the compelling games millions of users are searching for.

Professional game developer Nitschke shares his experience with the XNA Framework, and teaches readers how to use the free XNA Game Studio Express 2.0 to build cutting edge 2D and 3D games.

Get Started Fast with XNA Game Studio 4.0-and Build Great Games for Both Windows Phone 7 and Xbox LIVE This is the industry's best reference and tutorial for all aspects of XNA Game Studio 4.0 programming on all supported platforms, from Xbox 360 to Windows Phone 7 and Windows PCs. The only game development book authored by Microsoft XNA development team members, itoffers deep insider insights you won't get anywhere else-including thorough coverage of new Windows Phone APIs for mobile game development. You'll quickly build simple games and get comfortable with Microsoft's powerful XNA Ga.

Now you can build your own games for your Xbox 360, Windows Phone 7, or Windows-based PC—as you learn the underlying concepts for computer programming. Use this hands-on guide to dive straight into your first project—adding new tools and tricks to your arsenal as you go. No experience required! Learn XNA and C# fundamentals—and increase the challenge with each chapter Write code to create and control game behavior Build your game’s display—from graphics and text to lighting and 3-D effects Capture and cue sounds Process input from keyboards and gamepads Create features for one or multiple players Tweak existing games—and invent totally new ones

Your hands-on introduction to computer programming with Microsoft Visual C#® 2005 and XNA Game Studio 3.0, the Xbox 360® development tool. Get entertaining, easy-to-follow instructions for customizing Xbox 360 games-and creating games of your own.