Java Games | 8 Best books aspiring Java developers must know about!

Do you remember playing Bounce on your Nokia? There was a red ball that you had to pass through a maze of needles, hoops, and air pumps to reach till the end? A well-crafted game, Bounce went viral in the early 2000s and came preloaded on many mobiles between 2008 to 2012. That’s because during this period, LCD screen mobile phones were gradually gaining traction. And alongside it, the popularity of games rose as well. As a result, we have hailed Java games as one of the timeless classics in the world of video games.

But don’t worry, games made using Java don’t look so simple anymore. Now, they are much more complex, graphic, and fun!

If you wish to develop cool games in Java, here are 8 books that will help you get started!

1. The beginner’s guide to android game development

Game development is a vast subject, and involves understanding fundamental concepts and several complexities. You need to know a lot of things before you can develop even a simple two-dimensional game on any platform. Since the Java language is a multi-platform computer language, you can use it on any kind of electronic device once you get the hang of it. 

In this book, authored by James CHO, you’ll learn about the core concepts of developing Java games for Android operating system devices. Since it is best to start small, this book teaches you the basics of designing and modeling. You will also learn how to develop your own 2D interactive Java games based on touch controls on a smartphone!

2. Game programming patterns

This book is for intermediate-level Java programmers who are well-versed in the basics and are looking to implement their knowledge in game development. The author Robert Nystrom explains game design patterns as well as Object-Oriented Programming (OOPS) design patterns using the Java code. If you want to learn more about such command patterns in Java, then this is what you should read.

This book enhances your knowledge about the fundamental concepts of Java game design patterns and also provides a wholesome knowledge of its several practical applications. 

After reading it, you’ll be able to map the command patterns that map specific buttons in a game remote controller to actual actions within Java games.

3. Developing games in Java

This book has been written by three authors – David Brackeen, Bret Barker, and Lawrence Vanhelsuwe. It focuses on each and every detail that aspiring game developers should know about. The book comes with several use-case scenarios that can help you understand the practical relevance of all the concepts related to developing java games and apps.

Unlike Wayne Holder’s “Java Game Programming For Dummies,” published in 1998, this book shares all the latest updates on Java. Since Java game development has progressed quite a lot in these 23 years, “Developing Games in Java” serves as a less dated and more accurate depiction of all there is to know and learn about developing games in Java.

4. Game engine architecture

This book, authored by Richard Lemarchand, is for advanced game developers and is the logical choice to read after the previous 3 books. If you’re driven to develop the best Java games, then this book is definitely going to be a handy tool for you. 

With the help of this guide, you will not only be able to develop games as a pastime activity but can also take it up as a profession. Why, you ask?

Because this book does not provide you with examples of Javascript that you can execute to develop your own games. Instead, it offers you something far more valuable. It has a collection of examples of C++ code for game development. Since C and C++ are the bases for the Java programming language, you get a deeper understanding of how Java games are developed, and can change even the most basic things in your game with this understanding. No wonder this book is a valuable one for Java game programmers.

5. Killer game programming in Java

This bestselling book is about Java game programming is a timeless classic for Java game development enthusiasts. Andrew Davidson, the author of this book, provides readers with a well-rounded approach to developing games in Java.

Moreover, with the help of this book, you can also learn how to use the LibGDX platform to help you develop high-quality Java mobile games. The LibGDX is an open-source game development application framework that uses the bases of Java, that is, the C and C++ languages, to facilitate the execution of performance-dependent codes.

6. Beginning Java 8 games development

The “Beginning Java 8 Games Development” book written by Wallace Jackson teaches you all there is to know about Java 8. Java 8 is a special feature release of the Java programming language that began to be used in 2014. This new release came with-

• Support for functional programming
• A new JavaScript engine
• All-new APIs for manipulating date and time, as well as
• A new streaming API, and more

With the help of Java 8, you will develop all Java games, and not just for mobile phones, but for online playable games as well. With in-depth knowledge and a refurbished understanding of the Java programming language, you will be able to develop online multiplayer games!

7. Black art of Java game programming

This book is a canon for all professional Java game developers. Once you have garnered enough knowledge from your previous readings, you will be ready to move on to this book, which is for advanced learners. The author’s Eric Ries, Joel Fan, Calin Tenitchi provide a perfect blend of the two most important subject threads of Java-

• Object orientation 
• Game programming fundamentals. 

It also teaches you about networking and 3D techniques in Java game development. Finally, this book contains a gallery of fully developed games. This portion of the book is a collection of chapters, and each chapter is a guide to developing a unique game from scratch. 

In short, this book is one of the most comprehensive guides on developing Java games for advanced programmers. 

8. Cutting-edge Java game programming

Despite having a cliched title, this book offers more than meets the eye. This too is a book tailored to meet the needs of an advanced reader. Therefore, we recommend that you first develop a basic knowledge of Java by reading the first few books from this list before moving on to this one. 

The reason why this book makes our list is that the author Neil Bartlett not only teaches you about single-user Java games but also those that multiple users can play simultaneously online. If you have always dreamt of developing your very own massive multiplayer online game that ranks of the immensely popular Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), then this is the book that will set you on that path. 

Even though games like PUBG use C++, being a mobile-based game, they do have a side-source language of JavaScript integrated into it as well. 

What’s next?

Since Android-powered mobile devices are now being looked at as the future of modern video gaming, this is a good time to learn Java programming. However, if you want to code games for the iOS platform, then you would need to convert your JavaScript into Objective-C language. 

Nevertheless, having fundamental knowledge and a practical understanding of the usage of Java code in developing Java games is always an indispensable skill for game developers. 

We hope you found this blog informative and helpful. And if you have any questions, drop them in the comments below. You can also get in touch with us now!

FAQs

1. Are Java games still made?

Although modern gaming consoles like the PlayStation 4 and 5 do not support Java, some of the most popular games like Minecraft are made with JavaScript.

Moreover, several mobile games portions are made using Java. This means that learning JavaScript will never go out of vogue, as it finds use in not only games but also in several electronics and peripheral devices.

2. How are Java games made?

Java games can be extremely fun to play but have a tedious process of development and testing behind their making. There are several steps and processes involved in fully developing a playable Java game. It begins with-

• The design stage, where the game developer works on several aspects of the game like characters, environments, and music. 
• Next, in the execution stage, they develop the codes and execute their thought.
• Finally, the last stage involves testing and troubleshooting. 

3. Can Java make 3D games?

Developers have used Java to make a few popular 3D games, like the early Wolfenstein 3D games published by Apogee Entertainment in 1992. They did these using techniques like Raycasting in a 3D game engine. Hence, it is possible to make 3D games using Java, even though a few game developers might consider sticking to C++.