Collection of interventions on the status of the moving image in an age of advanced simulation, exploring the contemporary links between power, simulation, and warfare. This collection of wide-ranging interventions and discussions on the status of the moving image in an age of advanced simulation explores the contemporary links between power, simulation, and warfare. Today, technological simulation has become an integral part of military training and operations; and at the same time, media spectacle-often enabled by the same technologies-has become integrated with military power. Trained in virtual environments, army personnel are increasingly enhanced by augmented reality technologies that bring combat into conformity with its simulation. Equally, the seductions of media and entertainment have become crucial weapons for "information dominance." At the same time as the infosphere demands that war takes on the properties of a game, hyper-realistic videogames evolved from military technology become a kind of virtual distributed training camp, as the lines between simulation and action, combatant and civilian, become blurred. Based on a round table discussion prompted by the work of artist John Gerrard, Simulation, Exercise, Operations assembles thinkers from philosophy, media, and military theory to examine the powers of simulation in the contemporary world.

Over 70 recipes that cover advanced techniques for 3D programming such as lighting, shading, textures, particle systems, and image processing with OpenGL 4.6 Key Features Explore techniques for implementing shadows using shadow maps and shadow volumes Learn to use GLSL features such as compute, geometry, and tessellation shaders Use GLSL to create a wide variety of modern, realistic visual effects Book DescriptionOpenGL 4 Shading Language Cookbook, Third Edition provides easy-to-follow recipes that first walk you through the theory and background behind each technique, and then proceed to showcase and explain the GLSL and OpenGL code needed to implement them. The book begins by familiarizing you with beginner-level topics such as compiling and linking shader programs, saving and loading shader binaries (including SPIR-V), and using an OpenGL function loader library. We then proceed to cover basic lighting and shading effects. After that, you'll learn to use textures, produce shadows, and use geometry and tessellation shaders. Topics such as particle systems, screen-space ambient occlusion, deferred rendering, depth-based tessellation, and physically based rendering will help you tackle advanced topics. OpenGL 4 Shading Language Cookbook, Third Edition also covers advanced topics such as shadow techniques (including the two of the most common techniques: shadow maps and shadow volumes). You will learn how to use noise in shaders and how to use compute shaders. The book provides examples of modern shading techniques that can be used as a starting point for programmers to expand upon to produce modern, interactive, 3D computer-graphics applications. What you will learn Compile, debug, and communicate with shader programs Use compute shaders for physics, animation, and general computing Learn about features such as shader storage buffer objects and image load/store Utilize noise in shaders and learn how to use shaders in animations Use textures for various effects including cube maps for reflection or refraction Understand physically based reflection models and the SPIR-V Shader binary Learn how to create shadows using shadow maps or shadow volumes Create particle systems that simulate smoke, fire, and other effects Who this book is forIf you are a graphics programmer looking to learn the GLSL shading language, this book is for you. A basic understanding of 3D graphics and programming experience with C++ are required.

Embrace the mobile gaming revolution by creating popular iOS games with Swift 4.2 Key Features Learn to create games for iPhone and iPad with the latest Swift Programming language Understand the fundamental concepts of game development like game physics, camera action, sprites, controls, among others Build Augmented reality games using ARKit for true performance Book DescriptionSwift is the perfect choice for game development. Developers are intrigued by Swift and want to make use of new features to develop their best games yet. Packed with best practices and easy-to-use examples, this book leads you step by step through the development of your first Swift game. The book starts by introducing Swift's best features - including its new ones for game development. Using SpriteKit, you will learn how to animate sprites and textures. Along the way, you will master physics, animations, and collision effects and how to build the UI aspects of a game. You will then work on creating a 3D game using the SceneKit framework. Further, we will look at how to add monetization and integrate Game Center. With iOS 12, we see the introduction of ARKit 2.0. This new version allows us to integrate shared experiences such as multiplayer augmented reality and persistent AR that is tied to a specific location so that the same information can be replicated on all connected devices. In the next section, we will dive into creating Augmented Reality games using SpriteKit and SceneKit. Then, finally, we will see how to create a Multipeer AR project to connect two devices, and send and receive data back and forth between those devices in real time. By the end of this book, you will be able to create your own iOS games using Swift and publish them on the iOS App Store. What you will learn Deliver powerful graphics, physics, and sound in your game by using SpriteKit and SceneKit Set up a scene using the new capabilities of the scene editor and custom classes Maximize gameplay with little-known tips and strategies for fun, repeatable action Make use of animations, graphics, and particles to polish your game Understand the current mobile monetization landscape Integrate your game with Game Center Develop 2D and 3D Augmented Reality games using Apple's new ARKit framework Publish your game to the App Store Who this book is forIf you wish to create and publish iOS games using Swift, then this book is for you. No prior game development or experience with Apple ecosystem is needed.

A complete guide to designing and building fun games with Qt and Qt Quick using associated toolsets Key Features A step by step guide to learn Qt by building simple yet entertaining games Get acquainted with a small yet powerful addition-Qt Gamepad Module, that enables Qt applications to support the use of gamepad hardware Understand technologies such as QML, OpenGL, and Qt Creator to design intuitive games Book DescriptionQt is the leading cross-platform toolkit for all significant desktop, mobile, and embedded platforms and is becoming popular by the day, especially on mobile and embedded devices. It's a powerful tool that perfectly fits the needs of game developers. This book will help you learn the basics of Qt and will equip you with the necessary toolsets to build apps and games. The book begins by how to create an application and prepare a working environment for both desktop and mobile platforms. You will learn how to use built-in Qt widgets and Form Editor to create a GUI application and then learn the basics of creating graphical interfaces and Qt's core concepts. Further, you'll learn to enrich your games by implementing network connectivity and employing scripting. You will learn about Qt's capabilities for handling strings and files, data storage, and serialization. Moving on, you will learn about the new Qt Gamepad module and how to add it in your game and then delve into OpenGL and Vulcan, and how it can be used in Qt applications to implement hardware-accelerated 2D and 3D graphics. You will then explore various facets of Qt Quick: how it can be used in games to add game logic, add game physics, and build astonishing UIs for your games. By the end of this book, you will have developed the skillset to develop interesting games with Qt. What you will learn Install the latest version of Qt on your system Understand the basic concepts of every Qt game and application Develop 2D object-oriented graphics using Qt Graphics View Build multiplayer games or add a chat function to your games with Qt Network module Script your game with Qt QML Explore the Qt Gamepad module in order to integrate gamepad support in C++ and QML applications Program resolution-independent and fluid UIs using QML and Qt Quick Control your game flow in line with mobile device sensors Test and debug your game easily with Qt Creator and Qt Test Who this book is forIf you want to create great graphical user interfaces and astonishing games with Qt, this book is ideal for you. No previous knowledge of Qt is required; however knowledge of C++ is mandatory.

Learn how to use Unity 2018 by creating your very own 3D game while developing your essential skills Key Features Learn to create immersive 3D games and Virtual Reality experiences with Unity 2018 Build custom scripts to make your game characters interactive Explore and implement AritificiaI Intelligence techniques to bring your game to life Book Description The Unity game engine has revolutionized the gaming industry with its complete set of intuitive tools and rapid workflows, which can be used to create interactive 3D content. With Unity, you can scaffold your way from the basics and make make stunning interactive games. This book will guide you through the entire process of creating a 3D game, from downloading the Unity game engine to publishing your game. It not only gives you a strong foundation, but puts you on the path to game development. Beginning with an overview of the Unity engine and its interface, you will walk through the process of creating a game environment and learn how to use built-in assets, as well as assets created with third-party 3D modeling tools such as Blender. Moving on, you will create custom scripts to control non-player character behaviors and gameplay. You will master exciting concepts such as Heads-Up-Displays, mini-maps, game navigation, sound effects, and lighting effects. Next, you'll learn how to create your first VR experience, right from setting up the project to image effects. You'll be familiarized with all the tools that Unity has to offer to create your own immersive VR experiences. Each section is a stepping stone toward the completion of the final game. By the end of the book, you'll have learned advanced topics such as cross-platform considerations which enable your games to run on multiple platforms. What you will learn Set up your Unity development environment and navigate its tools Import and use custom assets and asset packages to add characters to your game Build a 3D game world with a custom terrain, water, sky, mountains, and trees Animate game characters, using animation controllers, and scripting Apply audio and particle effects to the game Create intuitive game menus and interface elements Customize your game with sound effects, shadows, lighting effects, and rendering options Debug code and provide smooth error handling Who this book is forIf you are an aspiring game developer interested in learning Unity 2018 and becoming familiar with its core features, then this book is for you. No prior knowledge of Unity is required.

Create engaging Augmented Reality (AR) applications with Unity 3D that can be experienced with devices such as HoloLens and Daydream Key Features Learn the principles of AR application development Work with the most popular sensors used in AR games and applications across Android, Apple and Windows Build experiences with interactive objects, physics, UI, animations, and C# scripting Book DescriptionAugmented Reality allows for radical innovations in countless areas. It magically blends the physical and virtual worlds, bringing applications from a screen into your hands. Meanwhile, Unity has now become the leading platform to develop augmented reality experiences, as it provides a great pipeline for working with 3D assets. Using a practical and project-based approach, Unity 2018 Augmented Reality Projects educates you about the specifics of augmented reality development in Unity 2018. This book teaches you how to use Unity in order to develop AR applications which can be experienced with devices such as HoloLens and Daydream. You will learn to integrate, animate, and overlay 3D objects on your camera feed, before gradually moving on to implementing sensor-based AR applications. In addition to this, you will explore the technical considerations that are especially important and possibly unique to AR. The projects in the book demonstrate how you can build a variety of AR experiences, whilst also giving insights into C# programming as well as the Unity 3D game engine via the interactive Unity Editor. By the end of the book, you will be equipped to develop rich, interactive augmented reality experiences for a range of AR devices and platforms using Unity. What you will learn Build and run AR applications for specific headsets, including HoloLens and Daydream Create 3D scenes with Unity and other 3D tools while learning about world space and scale Move around your AR scenes using locomotion and teleportation Create filters or overlays that work in tandem with facial recognition software Use GPS, geolocation services, and the camera feed to create a fitness application Integrate AR and VR concepts together in a single application Who this book is forUnity 2018 Augmented Reality Projects is for you if you're a game developer familiar with 3D computer graphics and interested in building your own AR games or applications. Any experience in Unity and C# is an advantage.

An example-based practical guide to get you up and running with Unity 5.x About This Book * The most updated resource on Unity 5.x with comprehensive discussion on all the new features of Unity 5.x * Understand the core concepts surrounding Unity5 game development with this power-packed hands-on guide * Brush up your existing game development skills and create games that have a brilliant gameplay using the excellent examples from this book Who This Book Is For The ideal target audience for this book would be game developers. They need not have previous experience with Unity since this book will cover all the basics about game development with unity. This would also be a very good resource for Unity developers who want to brush up their basic Unity skills and also get up and running with creating interesting games with Unity 5.x. What You Will Learn * Understand core Unity concepts, such as game objects, components, and scenes * Learn level design techniques for building immersive and interesting worlds * Learn to make functional games with C# scripting * Use the toolset creatively to build games of different themes and styles * Learn to handle player controls and input functionality * Dive into the process of working with terrains and world-creation tools * Import custom content into Unity from third-party tools, such as Maya and Blender * Get to grips with making both 2D and 3D games In Detail Unity is an exciting and popular engine in the game industry. Throughout this book, you'll learn how to use Unity by making four fun game projects, from shooters and platformers to exploration and adventure games. Unity 5 By Example is an easy-to-follow guide for quickly learning how to use Unity in practical context, step by step, by making real-world game projects. Even if you have no previous experience of Unity, this book will help you understand the toolset in depth. You'll learn how to create a time-critical collection game, a twin-stick space shooter, a platformer, and an action-fest game with intelligent enemies. In clear and accessible prose, this book will present you with step-by-step tutorials for making four interesting games in Unity 5 and explain all the fundamental concepts along the way. Starting from the ground up and moving toward an intermediate level, this book will help you establish a strong foundation in making games with Unity 5. Style and approach This book would be a very unique resource for any game developer who wants to get up and running with Unity. The unique example based approach will take you through the most basic games towards the more complex ones and will gradually build your skill level.

Master a series of performance-enhancing coding techniques and methods that help them improve the performance of their Unity3D applications About This Book * Discover features and techniques to optimize Unity Engine's CPU cycles, memory usage, and the GPU throughput of any application * Explore multiple techniques to solve performance issues with your VR projects * Learn the best practices for project organization to save time through an improved workflow Who This Book Is For This book is intended for intermediate and advanced Unity developers who have experience with most of Unity's feature-set, and who want to maximize the performance of their game. Familiarity with the C# language will be needed. What You Will Learn * Use the Unity Profiler to find bottlenecks anywhere in your application, and discover how to resolve them * Implement best practices for C# scripting to avoid common pitfalls * Develop a solid understanding of the rendering pipeline, and maximize its performance by reducing draw calls and avoiding fill rate bottlenecks * Enhance shaders in a way that is accessible to most developers, optimizing them through subtle yet effective performance tweaks * Keep your scenes as dynamic as possible by making the most of the Physics engine * Organize, filter, and compress your art assets to maximize performance while maintaining high quality * Discover different kinds of performance problems that are critical for VR projects and how to tackle them * Use the Mono Framework and C# to implement low-level enhancements that maximize memory usage and avoid garbage collection * Get to know the best practices for project organization to save time through an improved workflow In Detail Unity is an awesome game development engine. Through its massive feature-set and ease-of-use, Unity helps put some of the best processing and rendering technology in the hands of hobbyists and professionals alike. This book shows you how to make your games fly with the recent version of Unity 2017, and demonstrates that high performance does not need to be limited to games with the biggest teams and budgets. Since nothing turns gamers away from a game faster than a poor user-experience, the book starts by explaining how to use the Unity Profiler to detect problems. You will learn how to use stopwatches, timers and logging methods to diagnose the problem. You will then explore techniques to improve performance through better programming practices. Moving on, you will then learn about Unity's built-in batching processes; when they can be used to improve performance, and their limitations. Next, you will import your art assets using minimal space, CPU and memory at runtime, and discover some underused features and approaches for managing asset data. You will also improve graphics, particle system and shader performance with a series of tips and tricks to make the most of GPU parallel processing. You will then delve into the fundamental layers of the Unity3D engine to discuss some issues that may be difficult to understand without a strong knowledge of its inner-workings. The book also introduces you to the critical performance problems for VR projects and how to tackle them. By the end of the book, you will have learned to improve the development workflow by properly organizing assets and ways to instantiate assets as quickly and waste-free as possible via object pooling. Style and approach This practical book will help readers understand the essentials of the Unity3D engine and how to build games while improving the performance of their applications.