Practical C++ Game Programming with Data Structures and Algorithms: Write high-performance code and solve game development challenges with expert-led C++ solutions

by Zhenyu George Li, Charles Shih-I Yeh

Overview

Explore expert techniques in C++ to tackle performance bottlenecks, AI logic, and rendering issues for smoother, smarter, and scalable game development

Key Features

• Solve real-world game dev problems with expert C++ data structures and algorithms
• Learn through practical, executable code instead of abstract theory or pseudocode
• Build responsive, high-performance games with advanced rendering and AI techniques
• Print or Kindle purchase includes a free PDF eBook

Book Description

Game development demands performance-driven solutions—from rendering complex 3D scenes to managing AI behavior and handling animations. This hands-on book guides you in solving these challenges using high-performance C++ data structures and algorithms. The authors distill their decades of combined industry experience to help you apply practical C++ techniques to create smooth, scalable, and intelligent games. Instead of pseudocode or abstract theory, you’ll work with real, executable examples that translate directly to your projects. Opening with a structured overview of algorithmic thinking in C++ game development, the book covers advanced algorithms and their applications in real-world game scenarios. You'll implement data structures that optimize game functionality, solve algorithmic problems efficiently, and enhance gameplay with robust AI and rendering techniques. In addition, the key focus is collision detection, 2D/3D rendering, animation, camera controls, and machine learning-driven AI, all through practical, executable C++ code. By the end of this book, you’ll be able to confidently apply advanced C++ techniques to develop efficient, scalable, and feature-rich gameplay systems for modern games.

What you will learn

• Apply core and advanced data structures to solve common game development problems
• Optimize real-time 2D and 3D rendering for responsiveness and visual fidelity
• Build intelligent AI opponents and implement machine learning features
• Master collision detection, pathfinding, and animation systems using C++
• Gain practical experience with performance tuning and memory management
• Translate algorithmic theory into tangible gameplay improvements

Who this book is for

This book is for experienced game programmers, technical artists, and developers looking to refine their skills through real-world C++ solutions. A foundational understanding of C++, data structures, and core game development principles will be beneficial. Whether you want to deepen your expertise or are looking for a reliable reference guide, this book will be your trusted companion in building better games.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781835889862
Publisher:	Packt Publishing
Publication date:	06/25/2025
Product dimensions:	75.00(w) x 92.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Zhenyu George Li is a passionate video game developer with over 18 years of experience as a software engineer. Currently a senior development consultant at Unity, George's journey began in college with Visual Basic, C/C++, DirectX, and GUI. He has contributed to commercial games like Halo Infinity, Magic Arena, Stela, Dead Rising 2, and more. With expertise spanning gameplay, AI, graphics, animation, networking, and UI, George also has six years of teaching experience, including Unreal Engine at Vancouver Film School.

Charles Shih-I Yeh, a University of Southern California alumnus, has held pivotal roles in game programming since the early 2000s. He has built proprietary game engines, DCC tools, and robust multiplayer services. Charles lectures on game programming at esteemed universities and authored two game design books.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1. Gearing Up: C++ for Game Development
2. Data Structures in Action: Building Game Functionality
3. Problem-Solving Algorithms and Their Applications
4. Rendering the Basics: Mastering 2D Graphics
5. Learning Camera and Camera Controls
6. 3D Rendering Techniques
7. 3D Scene Optimizations
8. Animating Your Characters
9. Building AI Opponents
10. Exploring Modern AI: Machine Learning for Games
11. Conclusion