iOS 9 Game Development Essentials

Design, build, and publish an iOS game from scratch using the stunning features of iOS 9

About This Book

• Create storyboards in Xcode from concept to code and design
• Chalk out your game’s overall navigation and structure
• Work with 2D and 3D game development tools

Who This Book Is For

This book is intended for game developers who wish to develop 2D and 3D games for iPhone and iPad. If you are a developer from another platform, or game engine such as Android or Unity, a current iOS developer wishing to learn more about Swift and the latest features of iOS 9, or even if you are new to game development, then this book is for you. Some prior programming knowledge is recommended, but not required.

What You Will Learn

• Familiarise yourself with both basic and advanced Swift game development code
• Understand the structure and flow of a typical iOS app
• Work with the SpriteKit framework to make 2D games, sprites, and overlays
• Discover 3D game development with SceneKit
• Visually design levels and game assets with XCode 7’s latest features
• Explore the concept of component-based structuring with iOS 9’s Gameplaykit
• Beta test and publish your game with iTunes Connect

In Detail

Game development has always been a combination of programming and art, and mobile game development is no exception to this rule. The iOS platform has been both a staple in the ever-growing mobile game market, as well as a launching point for many game developers (hobby and career-wise). The features and frameworks available in iOS 9 continue to cater to the synergy of design and computer engineering, using tools that allow developers to take a game idea from concept to application in record time.

Whether you are new to iOS and game development as a whole, or are an experienced programmer wanting to learn the latest features of the platform, iOS 9 Game Development Essentials will provide you with crucial insight into this widely used platform.

Starting with the Swift programming language, this book gets the ball rolling with code concepts and game-centric code samples right from the get-go, giving you get a solid understanding of Apple’s cutting-edge programming language. The book takes you through iOS game development concepts and introduces the various frameworks that allow you to develop robust, reusable, and intelligent game components in both 2D and 3D game environments.

Style and approach

This book is a step-by-step guide into the code and concepts of iOS apps. Each chapter contains diagrams that showcase the features of the platform, along with code samples from Apple and code samples exclusive to this book.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. The Swift Programming Language
Chapter 2. Structuring and Planning a Game Using iOS 9 Storyboards and Segues
Chapter 3. SpriteKit and 2D Game Design
Chapter 4. SceneKit and 3D Game Design
Chapter 5. GameplayKit
Chapter 6. Exhibit the Metal in Your Game
Chapter 7. Publishing Our iOS Game
Chapter 8. The Future of iOS Game Development