Build a practical foundation in C++ by creating playable games with SFML. Connect essential programming concepts with sprites, player input, game mechanics, collision systems, audio, interfaces, and real-time gameplay. Start with variables, operators, decisions, strings, timing, loops, arrays, functions, and enumerations. Apply these concepts to animate sprites, handle input, create HUD elements, and develop core game mechanics.
Progress to object-oriented programming, collision detection, physics, views, references, sprite sheets, vertex arrays, pointers, STL, texture management, pickups, bullets, file I/O, inheritance, polymorphism, particle systems, and shaders while building Pong and zombie-shooter games. Designed for beginner-to-intermediate C++ developers and aspiring game programmers, this specialization requires only basic computer literacy and no prior game-development experience. By the end, you will be able to build structured C++ games with SFML, manage gameplay systems and assets, apply OOP and collision logic, and enhance games with audio, particles, shaders, and polished HUDs. This specialization is based on Beginning C++ Game Programming, by John Horton.
