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Game Programming Patterns Paperback – November 2, 2014

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,411 ratings

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The biggest challenge facing many game programmers is completing their game. Most game projects fizzle out, overwhelmed by the complexity of their own code. Game Programming Patterns tackles that exact problem. Based on years of experience in shipped AAA titles, this book collects proven patterns to untangle and optimize your game, organized as independent recipes so you can pick just the patterns you need.

You will learn how to write a robust game loop, how to organize your entities using components, and take advantage of the CPUs cache to improve your performance. You'll dive deep into how scripting engines encode behavior, how quadtrees and other spatial partitions optimize your engine, and how other classic design patterns can be used in games.

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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Genever Benning; 1st edition (November 2, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 354 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0990582906
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0990582908
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.6 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 0.8 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,411 ratings

About the author

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Robert Nystrom
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Robert Nystrom has programmed professionally for twenty years, about half of which is in games. During his eight years at Electronic Arts, he worked on behemoths like Madden and smaller titles like Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure. He's shipped games on the PC, GameCube, PS2, XBox, X360, and DS, but is most proud of the tools and shared libraries he created for others to build on. He loves seeing usable, beautiful code magnify the creative ability of others.

Robert lives with his wife and two daughters in Seattle where you are most likely to find him cooking for his friends and plying them with good beer.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
1,411 global ratings
Good Advice, Better Architecture, Great Writing
5 Stars
Good Advice, Better Architecture, Great Writing
Nystrom provides a clear, concise, and meaningful exposé on the application of design patterns use in game development. It will sit next to my copy of the original Design Patterns book as a staple of my library.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2024
"Game Programming Patterns" is a comprehensive guide that offers invaluable insights into the intricate world of game development. Authored by Robert Nystrom, it is an indispensable resource for both novice and experienced game programmers.

As a computer science graduate venturing into the software side of game development, I found "Game Programming Patterns" to be an essential addition to my library. The book covers various topics, from fundamental programming concepts to advanced design patterns specific to game development. Each chapter is meticulously crafted to provide clear explanations and practical examples, making complex concepts accessible even to those with limited experience in game programming.

One of the standout features of "Game Programming Patterns" is its emphasis on practicality. Rather than focusing solely on theoretical concepts, the book delves into real-world scenarios and challenges commonly encountered in game development. Through insightful anecdotes and case studies, the author illustrates how various programming patterns can be applied to solve common problems and optimize game performance.

Furthermore, "Game Programming Patterns" offers a refreshing approach to learning, with a strong emphasis on simplicity and elegance in code design. The author advocates for using clean, maintainable code that is easy to understand and modify—a philosophy that resonates deeply with my programming principles. By adopting the patterns outlined in the book, I've streamlined my codebase, improved code readability, and enhanced overall productivity in my game development projects.

Another aspect of "Game Programming Patterns" I appreciate is its versatility. Whether you're developing games for desktop, mobile, or web platforms, the principles and techniques covered in the book are universally applicable. From basic concepts like the game loop and entity-component system to more advanced topics like state machines and AI algorithms, "Game Programming Patterns" provides a solid foundation for tackling virtually any game development challenge.

In conclusion, "Game Programming Patterns" is a must-have resource for anyone serious about pursuing a career in game development. Whether you're a computer science graduate like myself or a seasoned game programmer looking to expand your skill set, this book offers a wealth of knowledge and practical guidance to help you succeed. With its clear explanations, insightful examples, and emphasis on best practices, "Game Programming Patterns" has become an indispensable companion on my journey to mastering the art of game development.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2024
Each chapter is packed with loads of examples and well explained programming patterns to choose from. While reading, I felt humbled, yet inspired to try new systems for my own game projects. Robert Nystrom also helped me break my obsession with inheritance by sharing the beauty of components.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2023
Great book. I love getting a view from inside the headspace of professionals.

The writing is very understandable. The example code is C++, but not cryptic to those that don't know much of it, myself included.

It's common for programmers to prove that they're actually human by joking every other page. Some dislike anything getting in the way of their knowledge, so these comments are separated to the margins instead. The book is rather wide because of the copious amount of these comments.
I don't mind as I enjoy his humor, but the book is definitely built around it, if that's something that might concern you.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2016
The book is a well-written resource for anyone interested in high-performance computing and simulations, not just game development.

If you're already well-versed in design patterns or many of the strategies of game and engine development, you may not find any great epiphanies in this book. However, it's likely still a solid read to refresh yourself and perhaps get a new perspective on those solutions you haven't thought about in a while.

For those who are amateur or beginner developers, this can be a great introduction to more advanced design patterns and modes of thought. As well, the topics discussed within the book apply to many problems outside of gaming that any junior programmer would do well to consider.

In either case, the book is full of practical advice that's obviously founded in the author's real-world experience. He managed to write a technical book in a witty and humorous way that should be easily approachable for even the greenest of developers.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Liliana
5.0 out of 5 stars Muy buen libro
Reviewed in Mexico on February 26, 2024
Excelente libro, necesita actualizarse un poco, pero creo que es una gran opción
Gabriela
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice gift for a programmer
Reviewed in Canada on July 12, 2021
I liked nice looking cover and also font of the text.

It was a gift for my husband who's programmer. I think he likes it, but that's all I can say for now.
NotMyRealName
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!
Reviewed in Germany on February 10, 2024
Arrived without any problem
Alejandro Endo
5.0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I was looking for
Reviewed in Spain on January 16, 2023
This books translates a lot of design patters to the game development context. full with examples and advices about how to implement each pattern.
Pedro
5.0 out of 5 stars Clearly demonstrates that Design Patterns matter
Reviewed in Italy on September 10, 2022
This book has the virtue of showing how long-run extensibility and reusability problems emerge in a code base. This is key to explaining design patterns efficiently and avoiding making them look like solutions to imaginary problems.

Every chapter first shows how someone who doesn't think about good software design would build a given application, and how the resulting code becomes harder and harder to maintain the bigger the application gets. After the pitfalls of the "naive" approach are displayed, we are introduced to the pattern and shown how it helps develop the application while keeping our code reusable and extensible. Lastly, since patterns always require to be tailored to the specific use case, a series of variants with their pros and cons is presented for each chapter.

To conclude: all the content is clear, well-presented, and overall a pleasure to read due to Nystrom's friendly writing style. I am in love with this book, and I highly recommend it.