"This is a Java textbook for beginning programmers that uses game programming as a central pedagogical tool to improve student engagement, learning outcomes, and retention. Game programming is incorporated into the text in a way that does not compromise the amount of material traditionally covered in a basic or advanced programming course and permits instructors who are not familiar with game programming and computer graphics tp realize their advantages/ The material presented in this book is in full compliance with the 2013 ACM/IEEE computer science curriculum guidelines and provides an in-depth discussion of graphical user interfaces (GUIs). It has been used to teach programming to students whose majors are within and outside of the computing fields. The companion DVD includes a game environment that is easily integrated into projects created with the popular Java Development Environments (Eclipse, NetBeans, and JCreator) and includes a set of executable student games to pique students' interest by giving them a glimpse into their future capabilities. The material in this book can be covered within one or two courses such as a basic programming course followed by an advanced programming course."--Cover.