1 – INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

In this case study/guide, we will learn how to work with the LibGDX libraries in order to create a game. We will create the famous game Pong.

TECHNOLOGIES INVOLVED

So far in class, we have stuck with using Java to create our programs. Now we will integrate Java with other technologies in order to create our game.

Open GL is a standardized set of APIs (methods you can call) that efficiently render complex graphics to screen. While effective, it is a complicated, low-level API. Instead of working directly in Open GL, we will use LibGDX. LibGDX makes use of Open GL ES to render graphics to screen.

LibGDX is a library that gives you extra classes to make graphics and writing games in general easier. LibGDX was designed to work across many different devices, so code that makes use of libGDX can be easily moved across platforms (windows, mac, linux, web pages, android, and iPhone). We will only discuss using it for Desktop games, but it is very easy to move your game to any of these other platforms later.

Gradle is the build system used by libGDX (and many other projects, including android). A build system allows you to write code that controls how to compile and distribute your software. Gradle makes it easy to compile java projects and to manage their dependencies (i.e, libraries like libGDX). Why should you use a build system? You should use a build system so that the person that maintains your code (or you in a few months) won't kill you while you sleep. It standardizes building (compiling, packaging) your project, and makes everybody's life easier. It also makes sure you always have the latest version of your libraries.