Preface
Hello and welcome to Godot 4 for Beginners! My name is Robert Henning, and I was once a Godot beginner myself, so I know how it feels to be searching for resources to help you learn how to make games with the Godot Engine. It was specifically because of the lack of good Godot resources for beginners that I wrote this book.
This book takes a hands-on, step-by-step approach to teaching game development, beginning with the basics of downloading and installing the Godot 4 game engine and gradually building your knowledge through a series of progressively more complex topics. Each chapter is designed to be practical and interactive, allowing you to immediately apply what you've learned through real-world examples and projects. The book is structured to ensure that even those with no prior programming or game development experience can follow along and succeed.
Throughout this book, you will get familiar with the Godot 4 interface and the tools it provides, while also learning the foundational game development philosophy behind Godot's unique system of nodes, scenes, signals, and scripts. You will use GDScript, Godot's scripting language, and explore both 2D and 3D workflows. Along the way, you'll build character controllers, design interactive elements such as enemies and hazards, implement scoring systems and collectibles, and discover how to polish your projects for a more professional finish. The book also guides you through the fundamentals of game design, helping you understand not only how to build a game but also how to craft a fun and engaging experience.
By the end of this book, you will have a solid understanding of the Godot 4 game engine and its interface and be able to create both 2D and 3D games, manipulate lighting, script with GDScript, and implement key game elements such as players, enemies, and collectibles. You will also be skilled in designing and constructing engaging game levels, tracking scores, and managing game-over states, empowering you to bring your own game ideas to life.
Now it's your turn to get started. With curiosity, patience, and practice, you will be building your very own games before you know it. Let's begin your journey into game development!
Who this book is for
This book is ideal for anyone new to game development who wants to explore the powerful and accessible Godot engine. Whether you're an aspiring game developer, an indie creator looking for a free and open source tool, a student eager to build interactive projects, or an artist curious about bringing your ideas to life, this book will provide you with a solid foundation in using Godot 4. With clear explanations and hands-on projects, it's designed to help you make the transition from curiosity to creation-no prior experience required.
Additionally, students wanting to learn game development fundamentals, educators seeking a comprehensive resource to teach the basics, and aspiring game developers aiming to bring their game ideas to life using the open source, beginner-friendly Godot game engine will find this book invaluable.
Whether you're starting completely from scratch or already know a few basics, this book walks you through Godot 4 with clear, step-by-step guidance. No prior coding experience is required-although a rudimentary grasp of concepts such as variables, loops, and conditionals can help, every essential programming idea is explained from the ground up within these pages.
What this book covers
Chapter 1, Let's Get Godot-ing!, explores the history and core features of Godot 4.0 and aims to provide you with the knowledge to install, launch, and create your first project in the engine.
Chapter 2, Exploring the Godot Engine Interface, explores the fundamental features of the interface and helps you to edit your first project in Godot 4. You will also understand the node and scene design philosophy that underscores Godot.
Chapter 3, Introduction to 3D, explains how to build and illuminate a simple 3D environment and helps you to gain confidence in navigating Godot's 3D workspace.
Chapter 4, Scripting with GDScript, provides the foundational knowledge to script essential game mechanics and confidently control the logic and flow of your game.
Chapter 5, Understanding Vectors, explains what vectors are and why they play a vital role in game mechanics. You'll learn how to use vectors effectively within the Godot engine.
Chapter 6, Creating a 2D Mini-Game in Godot - Part 1, details the creation of an interactive, fully playable platformer level and explains how these components work together to form the foundation of many platformer games. This chapter includes creating the level design with TileMap, developing the player character, scripting the player character, and learning about clean code.
Chapter 7, Creating a 2D Mini-Game in Godot - Part 2, explores how to bring your game mechanics to life with code and create a more dynamic and engaging platformer experience. This chapter includes animating the player and programming platform game mechanics, collectible items, patrolling enemies, and level completion.
Chapter 8, Creating a 3D Mini-Game in Godot - Part 1, explains how to create reusable 3D scenes, control your player character, and design levels that are both visually appealing and functional. This chapter includes creating a 3D character, designing a level, working with a character controller script, and implementing a camera controller.
Chapter 9, Creating a 3D Mini-Game in Godot - Part 2, continues the work started in the previous chapter and includes final touches, including adding a power-up, introducing obstacles, and polishing the level.
Chapter 10, Adding Game Juice, details how small changes can dramatically improve the feel of your game. You'll gain practical experience in implementing visual and audio feedback that enhances player immersion, making your game more enjoyable and satisfying to play.
Chapter 11, Understanding Game Design, expounds on the value of thoughtful game design in streamlining development, reducing costly errors, and improving player satisfaction.
Chapter 12, Where to Next?, provides a curated list of resources to deepen your knowledge, expand your skills, and connect with other developers. You'll also discover how to stay motivated, stay informed about the latest trends, and build your presence in the game development community.
To get the most out of this book
To fully engage with the exercises and examples provided in this book, you will need to download and install Godot Engine 4.3. This version of the engine introduces key features and updates that are essential for understanding and implementing the techniques we cover. Whether you're new to Godot or have experience with earlier versions, it's important to work with version 4.3 to ensure compatibility with the projects and concepts discussed throughout this book.
Software/hardware covered in the book
Operating system requirements
Godot Engine 4.3
Windows, macOS, or Linux
You can easily download Godot Engine 4.3 from the official website at godotengine.org. While version 4.4.1 is now available, using 4.3 is recommended for full compatibility with the examples in this book. That said, everything should continue to work as expected in the latest version.
The installation process is straightforward, and the engine is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Be sure to follow the instructions for your operating system, and once it is installed, familiarize yourself with the interface using Chapter 1. By using the same tools and environment that we explore in this book, you will have the best learning experience and will be able to follow along with the code examples smoothly.
If you are using the digital version of this book, we advise you to type the code yourself or access the code from the book's GitHub repository (a link is available in the next section). Doing so will help you avoid any potential errors related to the copying and pasting of code.
Note that the author acknowledges the use of cutting-edge AI, such as ChatGPT, with the sole aim of enhancing the language and clarity within the book, thereby ensuring a smooth reading experience for readers. It's important to note that the content itself has been crafted by the author and edited by a professional publishing team.
Download the example code files
The code bundle for the book is hosted on GitHub at https://github.com/PacktPublishing/Godot-4-for-Beginners.
We also have other code bundles from our rich catalog of books and videos available at https://github.com/PacktPublishing. Check them out!
Download the color images
We also provide a PDF file that has color images of the screenshots/diagrams used in this book. You...
