Programming Linux Games

Programming Linux Games discusses the most important Linux multimedia toolkits and teaches the basics of game programming in the process, all in the context of real-world examples. An in-depth look at Linux audio programming shows readers how to get the most out of the four important audio APIs: OSS, ALSA, ESD, and OpenAL. Readers learn how to develop a powerful game engine and then write a game in Tcl, an easy-to-learn scripting language. The author discusses the X Window System and it's performing issues and then goes on to document the alternatives to game programming under Linux, including the framebuffer device system and the kernel joystick API. In the networked gaming chapter, readers learn how to apply socket- programming techniques to online gaming and how to add multiplayer support to Penguin Warrior. The final chapter on Linux game licensing issues is written specially by Loki president Scott Draeker. By the end of the book, the reader will understand the state of the Linux gaming world, how to write games for Linux, and how to distribute those games to the Linux gaming community.