Learn JavaFX Game and App Development

Understand real-world game development concepts using JavaFX game engine called FXGL. The core focus of the book is on developing a standalone game or application with FXGL.

We will start with an overview of the book followed by requisite concepts from Java and JavaFX that will be used throughout this book. Next, we will learn about the FXGL game engine and its wide range of real-world game development techniques. In the following chapter, we learn about entity-component model used in FXGL to create a powerful abstraction of the game world. The next chapter builds on this, where we develop a platformer game using the physics engine and a popular external tool called Tiled. An important concept of games AI is covered in the following chapter. Visually complex features related to graphics and rendering as well as UI elements and animation system in FXGL will be discussed in the next chapter. The following chapter is dedicated to non-game applications that can be developed using FXGL. The last two chapters cover packaging and deployment of JavaFX and FXGL applications and discussion on future projects.

The key take-away skill from this book is the ability to develop professional-level applications and games with FXGL. During the course of this book, you will have produced a range of cross-platform applications and games using FXGL, reinforcing the game development concepts covered throughout.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• Understand use of advanced Java and JavaFX concepts

• Learn about real-world game development concepts in a general-purpose programming language

• Master professional cross-platform, desktop and mobile, games using the FXGL game engine

WHO IS THIS BOOK FOR

This book is for beginners in Java and/or JavaFX who wish to develop apps and games with FXGL, while improving Java and JavaFX skills.

Dr Almas Baimagambetov is a Principal Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Brighton, UK. He has considerable software development experience and is a huge fan of open source. His prominent contributions to the JVM community on GitHub include the FXGL game engine, collaborations on numerous JavaFX projects, a wide range of open-source games, and a collection of practical tutorials. Almas also has a YouTube channel focused on Java, Kotlin, JavaFX, Unity, and Unreal Engine. Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter Goal: Sets the scene for the book, provides an overview and sets expectations

Chapter 2: Requisite Java and JavaFX Concepts

Chapter Goal: Covers fundamental knowledge required to understand the book content

Sub-topics: Java programming

JavaFX scene graph

JavaFX model of programming

JavaFX concepts

Chapter 3: FXGL Architecture

Chapter Goal: Provides an overview of the FXGL architecture, features, and capabilities

Chapter 4: Entity-Component Case Study: Develop Arcade Games

Chapter Goal: Introduction to entity-component model used for abstracting game worlds

Sub-topics:

Game world

Entity-Component model

Pong and Breakout style games

Chapter 5: Physics Case Study: Develop a Platformer Game

Chapter Goal: Introduction to lightweight and heavyweight physics engines in FXGL

Sub-topics:

Collision detection

Rigid body dynamics

Mario style game

Chapter 6: AI Case Study: Develop a Maze Action Game

Chapter Goal: Provides a foundation for using and developing AI agents in FXGL

Sub-topics:

A* pathfinding

Graph theory

Component-driven behavior

Pac-man style game

Chapter 7: Graphics and UI Case Study: Develop a Top-Down Shooter Game

Chapter Goal: Introduction to the particle and animation systems used in FXGL

Sub-topics:

Particle system

Multi-layer rendering

AnimationsInterpolations

Geometry wars style game

Chapter 8: Developing General-Purpose Applications

Chapter Goal: Provide information on how FXGL can be used in non-game contexts

Chapter 9: Cross-platform DeploymentChapter Goal: Demonstrates the package and deployment process with FXGL

Sub-topics:

jlink

Native images

Gluon tools

Mobile development

Chapter 10: Conclusion

Chapter Goal: Recap what was covered in the chapters, provides external resources and ideas for future projects