C++ Fundamentals: Game Programming For Beginners

Learn to make games using industry standard C++ and Raylib.

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C++ Fundamentals: Game Programming For Beginners

Learn to make games using industry standard C++ and Raylib.

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Learning to program can be dull, and learning C++ is hard enough without having to learn a game engine as well.

In this course we teach you coding the fun way, by making games! And we'll be using a library so you can focus on learning pure C++ and good programming practice.

You'll start by compiling your first program in C++, using Visual Studio Code as your text editor.

Then create your first axe dodging game using the Raylib library. This project introduces the basic concepts of programming: variables, loops and if-statements.

You expand on this in Dapper Dasher, by building a side-scrolling running game. In addition to covering essential programming concepts such as structs and functions, you'll learn to animate 2D characters and make your game pretty.

In Classy Clash we introduce Object Oriented Programming. You'll learn how this simplifies programming for games and how inheritance can avoid code duplication.

Whether you're a total beginner to programming and want to learn pure C++, or an intermediate Unreal student who wants to explore making games in pure C++, this is the course for you!

There are no course prerequesites, though it'll help if you're comfortable installing new software and excited to learn programming 🙂

All students have access to the Q&A forums where our Instructors, Teaching Assistants and Community are ready to help answer your questions and cheer on your success.


What you'll learn in this course:

  • How to write games in C++ from scratch
  • The basics of Object Oriented Programming (OOP)
  • Programming fundamentals (inc variables, loops and if-statements)
  • Clean coding practices and principles
  • How to compile and run your C++ games and apps
  • Problem solving and debugging basics with C++
  • How to use the Raylib simple games library
  • How to animate 2D characters
  • Raylib simple games library

Your Instructor


Stephen Ulibarri
Stephen Ulibarri

Stephen started college in 2012 at the University of New Mexico, and majored in Chemical Engineering. While interning at a national laboratory, his mentor introduced him to Python programming, and he was hooked. Shortly after, he picked up an interest in Unreal Engine and C++, and the rest is history.

While working as a TA for math courses at the university, Stephen discovered a passion for teaching. Students told him he explained concepts in a way they could understand, which was an extremely rewarding experience. He soon began making courses on programming and game development.

After graduating with a degree, Stephen's employer allowed him to take computer science courses, after which he got into the software engineering industry, working for a company that made surgical simulations for robotic surgery. He continued making courses until he quit to pursue his passion for teaching full time.

Stephen's excited to contribute his passion and excitement to the GameDev team & students!


Course Curriculum (11+ hours)


  Codename: First Concepts (0 hours 57 minutes)
Available in days
days after you enroll
  • Preview
    Section Intro - First Concepts (1:58)
  • Start
    PC: Installation And Setup (9:26)
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    Mac: Installation And Setup (10:20)
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    Linux: Installation And Setup
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    The Main Function (6:03)
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    Your First Program (12:01)
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    Compiler (11:08)
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    Community & Support (1:40)
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    Accessing Our Projects (4:38)
  Axe Game (2 hours 5 minutes)
Available in days
days after you enroll
  • Start
    Creating A Popup Window (9:54)
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    Data Types and Variables (6:36)
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    Data Types and Variables 2 (6:15)
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    Debugging (12:43)
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    Comparison Operators (12:14)
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    Loops (9:28)
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    Clear Background (5:17)
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    Function Return Values (6:40)
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    Drawing A Circle (5:05)
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    Moving The Circle (8:13)
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    Logical AND (4:39)
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    Drawing The Axe (7:16)
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    Logical OR (5:20)
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    Collision Detection (9:42)
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    The else Statement (6:19)
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    Finishing The Game (9:45)
  Dapper Dasher (3 hours 55 minutes)
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days after you enroll
  • Preview
    Section Intro - Dapper Dasher (4:17)
  • Start
    Setting Up dasher.cpp (8:52)
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    Velocity and Jumping (8:32)
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    Gravity And Acceleration (14:27)
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    Preventing Air Jumping (5:46)
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    Sprite Sheets And Animation (10:09)
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    Drawing From Sprite Sheets (8:34)
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    Delta Time (8:46)
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    Animating Scarfy (9:40)
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    Hazards (5:26)
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    Moving The Hazard (11:12)
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    Animating The Hazard (8:34)
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    Multiple Nebula Hazards (7:09)
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    Custom Data Types (8:48)
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    More On Custom Data Types (10:54)
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    Using AnimData (9:11)
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    Arrays (8:08)
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    Array Of Nebula Hazards (7:26)
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    For Loops (6:23)
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    Looping Through The Hazards (9:40)
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    Lots Of Nebulae (10:16)
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    Functions (5:07)
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    Refactoring (6:11)
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    Update Animation Data (7:35)
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    Scrolling Background (6:23)
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    Duplicating The Background (3:34)
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    Drawing Midground And Foreground (9:30)
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    Finish Line (2:44)
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    Collision Detection (8:29)
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    Winning And Losing (3:54)
  Classy Clash (4 hours 16 minutes)
Available in days
days after you enroll
  • Preview
    Section Intro And Map Creation (7:13)
  • Start
    Top Down Game Setup (8:11)
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    Vectors (5:55)
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    Movement (10:06)
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    Drawing The Character (9:31)
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    Animating The Character (11:04)
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    Classes (6:41)
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    Getters And Setters (6:05)
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    Scope (3:52)
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    The Tick Function (9:29)
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    Character Instance (8:02)
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    Header Files And Constructors (9:41)
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    Checking The Map Bounds (10:37)
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    Constructor Arguments (7:57)
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    The Prop Class (6:49)
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    Rendering Props (7:20)
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    Prop Collision (11:15)
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    Enemy Class (11:10)
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    Class Inheritance (11:54)
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    Inheriting From BaseCharacter (6:21)
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    Overriding Functions (7:41)
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    Variable Addresses (10:23)
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    Enemy Screen Position (3:54)
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    Enemy AI (8:27)
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    Enemy Run Animation (13:12)
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    Drawing The Sword (11:24)
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    Attack! (8:31)
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    Health And Damage (4:51)
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    Strings And Displaying Health (10:47)
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    Multiple Enemies And Course Wrap-Up (7:56)

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.

Reviews

Wulver

"The instructor is clear, concise, and he obviously enjoys his subject matter. With this single course you can and will create engaging and entertaining games! It could also be a springboard into a career doing something you have always wanted to do – code games…

If you are going to choose your own adventure in the gaming development world, this is a great place to begin."

Daniel_Horn

"Before taking the course I have been intimidated by the C++ language believing that it was this terrifying behemoth of a program to understand, or even more program in. I have also seen that C++ has been used in several popular software and games, and thus the desire to get a foot in the door with this language exists.

After taking this course I do not feel the intimidation, and will want to continue growing deeper in both the programming and game development journey."

Maximilian_Garling

"It's really friendly and it slowly explains each concept without confusion. I really appreciate that you took the time to explain concepts like collisions and functions from scratch. The visuals were friendly too, with tidy arrows and well guided to the eye."

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