Learning Python by Building Games: A beginner’s guide to Python programming and game development

Book Description
A fun and interactive way to get started with the Python language and its libraries is by getting hands-on with game development.

Learning Python by Building Games brings you the best of both worlds. The book will first introduce you to Python fundamentals, which you will then use to develop a basic game. You’ll gradually explore the different Python libraries best suited for game development such as Pygame, Pyglet, and PyOpenGL. From building game characters through to using 3D animation techniques, you’ll discover how to create an aesthetic game environment. In addition to this, you’ll focus on game physics to give your effects a realistic feel, complete with movements and collisions. The book will also cover how you can use particle systems to simulate phenomena such as an explosion or smoke. In later chapters, you will gain insights into object-oriented programming by modifying a snake game, along with exploring GUI programming to build a user interface with Python’s turtle module.

By the end of this book, you’ll be well-versed with Python programming concepts and popular libraries, and have the confidence to build your own games

What you will learn
Explore core Python concepts by understanding Python libraries
Build your first 2D game using Python scripting
Understand concepts such as decorators and properties in the Python ecosystem
Create animations and movements by building a Flappy Bird-like game
Design game objects and characters using Pygame, PyOpenGL, and Pymunk
Add intelligence to your gameplay by incorporating game artificial intelligence (AI) techniques using Python
Who this book is for
If you are completely new to Python or game programming and want to develop your programming skills, then this book is for you. The book also acts as a refresher for those who already have experience of using Python and want to learn how to build exciting games.

Table of Contents
Getting to know Python: Setup Python, Setup Python Editor
Make Your First Game By Learning Fundamentals of Python
Flow Control: Build Decision Maker For Your Game
Data Structures and Methods: Refine Your Game with the Taste of AI
Learn Curses By Building Snake Game
Learn Object Oriented Programming Modifying Snake Game
List Comprehensions and Properties
Turtle Class-Drawing to the Screen
Data Model Implementation
Upgrade Snake Game with Turtle
Outdo Turtle: Snake Game UI with Pygame
Learn Character Animation, Collision and Movement By Building Flappy Bird Game
Coding Tetris Game with Pygame and Python Essentials
Getting to Know PyopenGL
Getting to Know Pymunk Building Angry Bird Game
Learn Game AI Building a Bot to Play Our Snake Game