C++ Game Development Learning Path
🔹 Phase 1: C++ Core Fundamentals (1–2 Weeks)
Build your base in modern C++ with a focus on game-ready skills.
Topics:
- Syntax, variables, conditionals
- Loops, functions
- Arrays, pointers, references
- Classes, objects, constructors, destructors
- Inheritance, polymorphism
🎯 Mini Project: Text-based RPG game (combat, inventory)
Resources:
- learncpp.com
- Book: Beginning C++ Through Game Programming by Michael Dawson
🔹 Phase 2: Intermediate C++ + Game Math (1–2 Weeks)
Understand structures, memory, and game-related math.
Topics:
- Structs and classes for game objects (like Player, Enemy)
- Vectors and matrices (basic linear algebra for 2D/3D)
- Enums, function pointers
- STL (vectors, maps, stacks, etc.)
- Basic physics concepts (velocity, gravity, collision logic)
🎯 Mini Project: 2D shooting game using console/ASCII
🔹 Phase 3: Graphics with SDL2 or SFML (2–3 Weeks)
Move from text to 2D graphics.
Option A: SFML (Simpler, OOP-friendly)
- Easy 2D graphics, input handling, sound, windowing
- Good for indie-style games
Topics:
- Rendering sprites and shapes
- Handling keyboard/mouse input
- Game loops and framerate control
- Sound and music playback
- Basic UI elements
🎯 Project: 2D Space Invaders or Flappy Bird clone
SFML Docs: https://www.sfml-dev.org/
Option B: SDL2 (Lower level, more control)
🔹 Phase 4: Object-Oriented Game Architecture (2 Weeks)
Build reusable, scalable game code.
Topics:
- Game loop structure (update, render, input)
- Game states (Menu, Play, Pause, Game Over)
- Component-based design (ECS pattern)
- Scene and object management
🎯 Project: Tile-based puzzle game with menus and multiple levels
🔹 Phase 5: Learn Unreal Engine (C++ Engine) (3–4 Weeks)
Unreal Engine is the top AAA game engine that uses C++ for gameplay scripting.
Topics:
- Understanding Blueprints vs C++
- Creating actors, pawns, and components
- Input system, collision, physics
- UIs with UMG
- Game logic and AI with C++
🎯 Project: First-Person Adventure or 3rd-person Platformer
Docs: https://docs.unrealengine.com/
🔹 Phase 6 (Optional): Build Your Own Game Engine
For ambitious developers who want full control.
Topics:
- Game loop and timing
- ECS (Entity Component System)
- Resource management
- Scene graph
- Physics and collision
- Renderer (OpenGL or Vulkan)
🎯 Project: Minimal custom engine with 2D renderer and ECS
🔧 Tools You’ll Use
Purpose | Tool/Library
---------------|----------------
IDE | Visual Studio / VSCode
Graphics | SFML / SDL2 / OpenGL
Game Engine | Unreal Engine
Build System | CMake
Version Control| Git & GitHub
🎯 Project Milestones
Stage | Project
---------------|------------------------------
Beginner | Text RPG / ASCII Maze Game
Intermediate | 2D Shooter or Platformer (SFML)
Advanced | FPS or RPG (Unreal + C++)
Expert (Bonus) | Custom Game Engine (OpenGL)
✅ Summary Roadmap
Phase | Focus | Time
------|------------------------------|-----------
1 | Core C++ Syntax + OOP | 1–2 weeks
2 | Intermediate + Math | 1–2 weeks
3 | 2D Graphics (SFML/SDL2) | 2–3 weeks
4 | OOP Game Structure | 2 weeks
5 | Unreal Engine + C++ | 3–4 weeks
6 | Custom Engine (Optional) | Advanced
