Lets Learn C++ and Make a 2D Dungeon Game!

🚀 Course Title: Let's Learn C++ and Make a 2D Dungeon Game!

🎓 Course Headline: From C++ Fundamentals to Advanced Mastery

Course Description:

Embark on an exciting journey through the world of C++ with this comprehensive online course, where we'll not only cover the fundamentals but also dive into advanced topics, all culminating in creating a captivating 2D Dungeon Game! 🎮✨

This course is perfectly suited for learners at any level - whether you're just starting out with C++ or looking to sharpen your skills. It's an extensive guide that rivals university-level courses, which typically cost around $1.5k AUD each, covering subjects such as C++ 1, C++ 2, and Basic Game Development with C++. If you're a university student studying similar topics, this course will serve as an invaluable resource alongside your academic work.

Why Take This Course?

• Beginner to Advanced: Tailored for all levels, from novices to experienced programmers looking to expand their knowledge.
• Cost-Effective Learning: A wealth of knowledge comparable to $1.5k worth of university courses at a fraction of the cost.
• University Companion: An excellent supplementary resource for students enrolled in C++ and Game Development subjects.
• Project-Based Approach: With checkpoints and reference projects, you'll never feel lost on your learning journey.
• Extensive Curriculum: Over 16 hours of content, including a range of topics from basic syntax to game development concepts.

What You'll Learn:

• 📏 Variables & Math: Master the basics of variables and perform mathematical operations.
• 💬 Input/Output (I/O): Understand how to interact with users and files in C++.
• ❗️ Control Flow: Implement decision making with if statements, looping with while and for loops.
• 📋 Arrays & Lists: Work with 1D and 2D arrays.
• 🧩 Object-Oriented Programming (OOP): Explore classes, inheritance, and polymorphism to build structured programs.
• 🚀 Pointers & Dynamic Memory: Manage memory like a pro with pointers and dynamic memory allocation.
• 🎨 Rendering & Animation: Learn the basics of rendering shapes and implementing animation in your game.
• 🎲 Game Logic: Construct the logic behind a simple yet engaging 2D Dungeon Game.
• ...and much more as we delve into more advanced topics!

C++ is an indispensable skill for software engineering roles and game development, especially when working with engines like Unreal. This course will equip you with the solid foundation needed to kickstart your journey in either field. 🧠🚀

Let's Build Something Great Together!

Join me, Matthew Carrcourse Instructor, on this thrilling adventure as we transform data into gameplay, and functions into features. Let's push the boundaries of what you thought was possible with C++, and by the end of this course, you'll not only have a new skill set but also a fully functional 2D Dungeon Game to show for it!

Ready to dive in and become a C++ wizard? Enroll now and let's create something extraordinary! 🧙‍♂️👾

Overall Course Rating: 4.35

Pros:

• Engaging Content: The course covers OOP concepts in a way that is engaging, as evidenced by the positive feedback from learners who found the content on Game Programming Development both great and fun.
• Chill Pace: Matt, the instructor, is praised for his chill demeanor and moves at a pace that is efficient yet not rushed, making the learning process enjoyable.
• Logical Structure: The course is broken down into logical steps, which helps learners understand the material better.
• Fun Exercises: Code along exercises are polished up and serve as an excellent way to practice C++ skills.
• Real-World Application: The course encourages learners to build a 2D dungeon game, which is an excellent way to apply what they've learned in a practical context.
• Friendly Explanation: The course is explained like a friend, making it more accessible for those who might find programming intimidating.

Cons:

• Visual Clutter: Some learners felt visual confusion due to the screen not being cleared often enough.
• Incomplete Examples: A few reviewers mentioned they would have appreciated more complete examples with solutions so they could understand both what they did correctly and where they went wrong.
• SDL Information: While some found SDL information helpful, others felt it was too chaotic and required too much searching within the course to find necessary information for building their own projects.
• Errors and Organization: One reviewer experienced a "not defined" error because the cpp-file implementation wasn't shown in the course, which led to a loss of patience and discontinuation of the course. The organization of SDL content was also described as chaotic.
• Professional Editing: One reviewer noted that there was no professional editing, but this did not detract significantly from the learning experience for others.

Recommendations for Improvement:

• Clear Screen Instructions: To minimize visual confusion, instructors could clear the screen more often during tutorials.
• Complete Examples: Providing full examples alongside homework assignments would help learners understand both correct implementations and alternative methods.
• Bonus Sections: Adding sections that load maps from files, as suggested by one learner, could extend the game's functionality and provide more learning opportunities.
• Error Handling: Including error handling examples within the course would be beneficial for learners to understand debugging and troubleshooting in a real-world context.
• Improved SDL Organization: Organizing SDL information more systematically could make it easier for learners to follow along and build their own projects without unnecessary frustration.

Final Verdict: This course is highly recommended for anyone interested in learning about Game Programming Development with a focus on C++. With a well-explained curriculum, engaging content, and practical exercises, the course offers a solid foundation in SDL and game development. While there are some areas that could be improved, such as visual clarity and organization of certain topics, the overall course is well-regarded by its students. With a few additional resources and some refinement in the areas mentioned above, this course can serve as an excellent learning tool for beginners to intermediate programmers.