What You Need to Create Android Games
What You Need to Know How hard is programming Android games? This really depends on how experienced you are with Java and the Android operating system. If you have a solid knowledge of Java, then you’ll be perfectly at home with this lesson. If you’ve written code for Android before, then you may not be challenged by any of the code here and are free to enjoy the experience as you go. Read this section carefully before proceeding, so you know exactly what you need.
Generally, people interested in learning to create games for tablets in Android come from three
different backgrounds. Each background prepares you for the examples in this book, but they all require a slightly different approach.
If you know both Java and Android, you’re ready to go. The code here resembles what you’ve seen before, but it focuses on graphics, game loops, and rapid responses to user input that you may not have dealt with. Regardless of what you’ve done, this book helps you master the creation of tablet games.
Maybe you’re comfortable with Java, but you’ve never worked with Android. This is fine. You won’t have much difficulty working through the examples and code. Remember that with any new environment and API, you should regularly look up the functions and classes that are presented.
Becoming familiar with Android takes time, but it’s well worth the effort.
You may never have coded so much as an if statement in Java, much less worked with Android. If this is the case, you can still use this book, but you have to get a Java primer. I strongly recommend Learn Java for Android Development by Jeff Friesen (Apress, 2010). When you have a reference for Java, become familiar with how Java works, and then jump right into this text. You learn the language as you go through it.
An understanding of XML is beneficial; however, XML is relatively simple to understand, and you should have no problem dealing with this book’s relatively elementary use of it. With the qualifications out of the way, it’s time to consider the environment used for game creation.
different backgrounds. Each background prepares you for the examples in this book, but they all require a slightly different approach.
If you know both Java and Android, you’re ready to go. The code here resembles what you’ve seen before, but it focuses on graphics, game loops, and rapid responses to user input that you may not have dealt with. Regardless of what you’ve done, this book helps you master the creation of tablet games.
Maybe you’re comfortable with Java, but you’ve never worked with Android. This is fine. You won’t have much difficulty working through the examples and code. Remember that with any new environment and API, you should regularly look up the functions and classes that are presented.
Becoming familiar with Android takes time, but it’s well worth the effort.
You may never have coded so much as an if statement in Java, much less worked with Android. If this is the case, you can still use this book, but you have to get a Java primer. I strongly recommend Learn Java for Android Development by Jeff Friesen (Apress, 2010). When you have a reference for Java, become familiar with how Java works, and then jump right into this text. You learn the language as you go through it.
An understanding of XML is beneficial; however, XML is relatively simple to understand, and you should have no problem dealing with this book’s relatively elementary use of it. With the qualifications out of the way, it’s time to consider the environment used for game creation.
What You Need for a Platform
It's time to get your hands dirty and find out what you actually need for developing Android games. Fortunately, you shouldn't have to buy any software! The only expense is a $25 registration fee when you’re ready to put your games on the Android Market. First, check to make sure your computer will support Android development:
• Windows XP (32-bit), Vista (32- or 64-bit), or Windows 7 (32- or 64-bit)
• Mac OS X 10.5.8 or later (x86 only)
• Linux (tested on Ubuntu Linux, Lucid Lynx)
This list was compiled from Android’s own system requirements. Check
http://developer.android.com/sdk/requirements.html for the most recent changes to minimum system standards.
Although a system that meets the minimum requirements will let you create Android applications, testing your programs may be rather slow. Generally, if you can play modern video games on your computer, then you should be fine. However, if you have a slower machine, don’t despair; you’ll be perfectly capable of writing Android games, but you should test them on an Android tablet rather than a simulator on your computer.
You don’t need an Android tablet to complete any exercise or program in this book, but there is no substitute for testing your creations on a real device. With a glut of tablets on the market, cheaper models will set you back about $500 to $700. These are well worth the investment if you find game programming as addicting as I do. Motorola and Samsung make some of the most popular tablets;
look for their offerings to see the top of the line in terms of Android tablets.
If you’re confident in your skills and have decided on which machine you want to plunge into game development, you’re ready to acquire your tools and configure your development environment.
If you’re confident in your skills and have decided on which machine you want to plunge into game development, you’re ready to acquire your tools and configure your development environment.
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