Introduction to Programming Through Game Development Using Microsoft XNA Game Studio 

Category: Curricula
Submitted Date: 9/22/2009

Learn the underlying skills and principles of software development--as you design and build your first games for Xbox 360, Windows, and Zune.

Designed specifically for students with no computer science background, this curriculum teaches the fundamentals of C# programming and the XNA Game Studio framework--for skills you can apply to game programming and beyond.

  • Write code to create and control game behavior
  • Build the game display--color, graphics, text
  • Create multiplayer features
  • Capture and cue sounds
  • Process input from gamepads and keyboards

For Instructors

This texbook is complemented by a full suite of teaching tools including:

  • Course Syllabus
  • Instructor materials
  • Content delivery resources
  • Student learning materials
  • Student assessment materials

These materials are available for registered faculty only through the Microsoft Faculty Resource Center.

Related Resources:

  1. Chapter 1: Computers, C#, XNA and You

  2. Chapter 2: Programs and Colors

  3. Chapter 3: Getting Player Input

  4. Chapter 4: Displaying Images

  5. Chapter 5: Writing Text

  6. Chapter 6: Creating a Multi-Player Game

  7. Chapter 7: Playing Sounds

  8. Chapter 8: Creating a Timer

  9. Chapter 9: Reading Text Input

  10. Chapter 10: Using Methods

  11. Chapter 11: A Game as a Program

  12. Chapter 12: Games, Objects and State

  13. Chapter 13: Making a Complete Game

  14. Chapter 14: Classes, Objects and Games

  15. Chapter 15: Creating Game Components

  16. Chapter 16: Creating Multi-Player Networked Games

  17. Instructor Preparation Guide

  18. Text Sample Code