Understand the core concepts of deep learning and deep reinforcement learning by applying them to develop games Key Features Apply the power of deep learning to complex reasoning tasks by building a Game AI Exploit the most recent developments in machine learning and AI for building smart games Implement deep learning models and neural networks with Python Book DescriptionThe number of applications of deep learning and neural networks has multiplied in the last couple of years. Neural nets has enabled significant breakthroughs in everything from computer vision, voice generation, voice recognition and self-driving cars. Game development is also a key area where these techniques are being applied. This book will give an in depth view of the potential of deep learning and neural networks in game development. We will take a look at the foundations of multi-layer perceptron's to using convolutional and recurrent networks. In applications from GANs that create music or textures to self-driving cars and chatbots. Then we introduce deep reinforcement learning through the multi-armed bandit problem and other OpenAI Gym environments. As we progress through the book we will gain insights about DRL techniques such as Motivated Reinforcement Learning with Curiosity and Curriculum Learning. We also take a closer look at deep reinforcement learning and in particular the Unity ML-Agents toolkit. By the end of the book, we will look at how to apply DRL and the ML-Agents toolkit to enhance, test and automate your games or simulations. Finally, we will cover your possible next steps and possible areas for future learning. What you will learn Learn the foundations of neural networks and deep learning. Use advanced neural network architectures in applications to create music, textures, self driving cars and chatbots. Understand the basics of reinforcement and DRL and how to apply it to solve a variety of problems. Working with Unity ML-Agents toolkit and how to install, setup and run the kit. Understand core concepts of DRL and the differences between discrete and continuous action environments. Use several advanced forms of learning in various scenarios from developing agents to testing games. Who this book is forThis books is for game developers who wish to create highly interactive games by leveraging the power of machine and deep learning. No prior knowledge of machine learning, deep learning or neural networks is required this book will teach those concepts from scratch. A good understanding of Python is required.

Build smart looking Kotlin apps with UI and functionality for the Android platform Key Features Start your Android programming career, or just have fun publishing apps on Google Play marketplace The first-principle introduction to Kotlin through Android, to start building easy-to-use apps Learn by example and build four real-world apps and dozens of mini-apps Book DescriptionAndroid is the most popular mobile operating system in the world and Kotlin has been declared by Google as a first-class programming language to build Android apps. With the imminent arrival of the most anticipated Android update, Android 10 (Q), this book gets you started building apps compatible with the latest version of Android. It adopts a project-style approach, where we focus on teaching the fundamentals of Android app development and the essentials of Kotlin by building three real-world apps and more than a dozen mini-apps. The book begins by giving you a strong grasp of how Kotlin and Android work together before gradually moving onto exploring the various Android APIs for building stunning apps for Android with ease. You will learn to make your apps more presentable using different layouts. You will dive deep into Kotlin programming concepts such as variables, functions, data structures, Object-Oriented code, and how to connect your Kotlin code to the UI. You will learn to add multilingual text so that your app is accessible to millions of more potential users. You will learn how animation, graphics, and sound effects work and are implemented in your Android app. By the end of the book, you will have sound knowledge about significant Kotlin programming concepts and start building your own fully featured Android apps. What you will learn Learn how Kotlin and Android work together Build a graphical drawing app using Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles Build beautiful, practical layouts using ScrollView, RecyclerView, NavigationView, ViewPager and CardView Write Kotlin code to manage an apps' data using different strategies including JSON and the built-in Android SQLite database Add user interaction, data captures, sound, and animation to your apps Implement dialog boxes to capture input from the user Build a simple database app that sorts and stores the user's data Who this book is forThis book is for people who are new to Kotlin, Android and want to develop Android apps.It also acts as a refresher for those who have some experience in programming with Android and Kotlin.

Although gaming was once primarily used for personal entertainment, video games and other similar technologies are now being utilized across various disciplines such as education and engineering. As digital technologies become more integral to everyday life, it is imperative to explore the underlying effects they have on society and within these fields. Exploring the Cognitive, Social, Cultural, and Psychological Aspects of Gaming and Simulations provides emerging research on the societal and mental aspects of gaming and how video games impact different parts of an individual's life. While highlighting the positive, important results of gaming in various disciplines, readers will learn how video games can be used in areas such as calculus, therapy, and professional development. This book is an important resource for engineers, graduate-level students, psychologists, game designers, educators, sociologists, and academics seeking current information on the effects of gaming and computer simulations across different industries.

Develop your own games with Unity 2D/3D Game Kit and use it for your presentations, kids education, level design, game design, proofs of concept, or even just for fun! Key Features Build your first ever video game using Unity 2D/3D Game kit Learn how to create game levels, adding props, giving behaviours to objects and working on gameplay Step by step instructions on creating your own AI enemy and interacting with it Book DescriptionHands-On Game Development without Coding is the first Visual Scripting book in the market. It was tailor made for a non programing audience who are wondering how a videogame is made. After reading this book you will be able to develop your own 2d and 3d videogames and use it on your presentations, to speed up your level design deliveries, test your game design ideas, work on your proofs of concept, or even doing it just for fun. The best thing about Hands-On Game Development without Coding is that you don't need any previous knowledge to read and understand the process of creating a videogame. It is our main focus to provide you with the opportunity to create a videogame as easy and fast as possible. Once you go through the book, you will be able to create player input interaction, levels, object behaviours, enemy AI, creating your own UI and finally giving life to your game by building it. It's Alive! What you will learn Understanding the Interface and kit flow. Comprehend the virtual space and its rules. Learning the behaviours and roles each component must have in order to make a videogame. Learn about videogame development Creating a videogame without the need of learning any programming language Create your own gameplay HUD to display player and Enemy information Who this book is forThis book is for anyone who is interested in becoming a game developer but do not posses any coding experience or programming skills. All you need is a computer and basic software interface knowledge.

Master realistic animations and graphics, particle systems, game AI and physics, sprites and VR development with Unity 2017 About This Book * Create professional grade games with realistic animation and graphics, particle systems and game physics with Unity 2017 * Unleash the power of C# scripting to create intelligent game AI and professional grade game workflows. * Create immersive VR games using the latest Unity 2017 VR SDK. Who This Book Is For If you are a Unity developer who now wants to develop and deploy interesting games by leveraging the new features of Unity 2017, then this is the book for you. Basic knowledge of C# programming is assumed. What You Will Learn * Explore hands-on tasks and real-world scenarios to make a Unity horror adventure game * Create enemy characters that act intelligently and make reasoned decisions * Use data files to save and restore game data in a way that is platform-agnostic * Get started with VR development * Use navigation meshes, occlusion culling, and Profiler tools * Work confidently with GameObjects, rotations, and transformations * Understand specific gameplay features such as AI enemies, inventory systems, and level design In Detail Do you want to make the leap from being an everyday Unity developer to being a pro game developer? Then look no further! This book is your one-stop solution to creating mesmerizing games with lifelike features and amazing gameplay. This book focuses in some detail on a practical project with Unity, building a first-person game with many features. You'll delve into the architecture of a Unity game, creating expansive worlds, interesting render effects, and other features to make your games special. You will create individual game components, use efficient animation techniques, and implement collision and physics effectively. Specifically, we'll explore optimal techniques for importing game assets, such as meshes and textures; tips and tricks for effective level design; how to animate and script NPCs; how to configure and deploy to mobile devices; how to prepare for VR development; how to work with version control; and more. By the end of this book, you'll have developed sufficient competency in Unity development to produce fun games with confidence. Style and approach This book takes an easy-to-follow, step-by-step tutorial approach. You will create an advanced level Unity game with an emphasis on leveraging advanced Unity 2017 features while developing the game in its entirety.

Create your own augmented reality games from scratch with Unity 5 About This Book * Create your own augmented reality game from scratch and join the virtual reality gaming revolution * Use the latest Unity 5 VR SDK to create pro-level AR games like Pokemon Go * Innovate and explore the latest and most promising trend of AR gaming in the mobile gaming industry Who This Book Is For This book is for those who have a basic knowledge of game development techniques, but no previous knowledge of Unity is required. Some basic programming knowledge would be desirable, but the book is an introduction to the topic. The book is also suitable for experienced developers new to GIS or GPS development. What You Will Learn * Build a location-based augmented reality game called Foodie Go * Animate a player's avatar on a map * Use the mobile device's camera as a game background * Implement database persistence with SQLLite4Unity3D to carry inventory items across game sessions * Create basic UI elements for the game, inventory, menu, and settings * Perform location and content searches against the Google Places API * Enhance the game's mood by adding visual shader effects * Extend the game by adding multiplayer networking and other enhancements In Detail The heyday of location-based augmented reality games is upon us. They have been around for a few years, but the release of Pokemon Go was a gamechanger that catalyzed the market and led to a massive surge in demand. Now is the time for novice and experienced developers alike to turn their good ideas into augmented reality (AR) mobile games and meet this demand! If you are keen to develop virtual reality games with the latest Unity 5 toolkit, then this is the book for you. The genre of location-based AR games introduces a new platform and technical challenges, but this book will help simplify those challenges and show how to maximize your game audience. This book will take you on a journey through building a location-based AR game that addresses the core technical concepts: GIS fundamentals, mobile device GPS, mapping, map textures in Unity, mobile device camera, camera textures in Unity, accessing location-based services, and other useful Unity tips. The technical material also discusses what is necessary for further development to create a multiplayer version of the game. At the end, you will be presented with troubleshooting techniques in case you get into trouble and need a little help. Style and approach This book shows you how to create every step of the game and gives practical examples.

Learn C++ from scratch and get started building your very own games About This Book * This book offers a fun way to learn modern C++ programming while building exciting 2D games * This beginner-friendly guide offers a fast-paced but engaging approach to game development * Dive headfirst into building a wide variety of desktop games that gradually increase in complexity * It is packed with many suggestions to expand your finished games that will make you think critically, technically, and creatively Who This Book Is For This book is perfect for you if any of the following describes you: You have no C++ programming knowledge whatsoever or need a beginner level refresher course, if you want to learn to build games or just use games as an engaging way to learn C++, if you have aspirations to publish a game one day, perhaps on Steam, or if you just want to have loads of fun and impress friends with your creations. What You Will Learn * Get to know C++ from scratch while simultaneously learning game building * Learn the basics of C++, such as variables, loops, and functions to animate game objects, respond to collisions, keep score, play sound effects, and build your first playable game. * Use more advanced C++ topics such as classes, inheritance, and references to spawn and control thousands of enemies, shoot with a rapid fire machine gun, and realize random scrolling game-worlds * Stretch your C++ knowledge beyond the beginner level and use concepts such as pointers, references, and the Standard Template Library to add features like split-screen coop, immersive directional sound, and custom levels loaded from level-design files * Get ready to go and build your own unique games! In Detail This book is all about offering you a fun introduction to the world of game programming, C++, and the OpenGL-powered SFML using three fun, fully-playable games. These games are an addictive frantic two-button tapper, a multi-level zombie survival shooter, and a split-screen multiplayer puzzle-platformer. We will start with the very basics of programming, such as variables, loops, and conditions and you will become more skillful with each game as you move through the key C++ topics, such as OOP (Object-Orientated Programming), C++ pointers, and an introduction to the Standard Template Library. While building these games, you will also learn exciting game programming concepts like particle effects, directional sound (spatialization), OpenGL programmable Shaders, spawning thousands of objects, and more. Style and approach This book offers a fun, example-driven approach to learning game development and C++. In addition to explaining game development techniques in an engaging style, the games are built in a way that introduces the key C++ topics in a practical and not theory-based way, with multiple runnable/playable stages in each chapter.

Bring realism to your games by mastering post-processing effects and advanced shading techniques in Unity 2018 Key Features Learn the secrets of creating AAA quality shaders without writing long algorithms Master shader programming through easy-to-follow examples Create stunning visual effects that can be used in 3D games Book DescriptionSince their introduction to Unity, shaders have been seen as notoriously difficult to understand and implement in games. Complex mathematics has always stood in the way of creating your own shaders and attaining the level of realism you crave. Unity 2018 Shaders and Effects Cookbook changes that by giving you a recipe-based guide to creating shaders using Unity. It will show you everything you need to know about vectors, how lighting is constructed with them, and how textures are used to create complex effects without the heavy math. This book starts by teaching you how to use shaders without writing code with the post-processing stack. Then, you'll learn how to write shaders from scratch, build up essential lighting, and finish by creating stunning screen effects just like those in high-quality 3D and mobile games. You'll discover techniques, such as normal mapping, image-based lighting, and animating your models inside a shader. We'll explore how to use physically based rendering to treat light the way it behaves in the real world. At the end, we'll even look at Unity 2018's new Shader Graph system. With this book, what seems like a dark art today will be second nature by tomorrow. What you will learn Understand physically based rendering to fit the aesthetic of your game Write shaders from scratch in ShaderLab and HLSL/Cg Combine shader programming with interactive scripts to add life to your materials Design efficient shaders for mobile platforms without sacrificing their realism Use state-of-the-art techniques, such as volumetric explosions and fur shading Master the math and algorithms behind the most used lighting models Understand how shader models have evolved and how you can create your own Who this book is forUnity Shaders and Effects Cookbook is for developers who want to create their first shaders in Unity 2018 or wish to take their game to a whole new level by adding professional post-processing effects. A solid understanding of Unity is required to get the most from this book.