C++ Space Invaders

A modern C++ implementation of the classic arcade game Space Invaders using SDL3 (Simple DirectMedia Layer).

Features

• Classic Space Invaders gameplay with modern features
• Built with SDL3 for cross-platform compatibility
• Clean, modular C++23 code
• Optimised rendering and collision detection
• Support for keyboard controls
• Sound effects and optional font rendering with Sdl3_ttf

Requirements

• C++23 compatible compiler
• CMake 3.20 or higher
• SDL3 library
• Sdl3_ttf library (optional, for enhanced text rendering)

Building from Source

Clone the Repository

git clone https://github.com/cschladetsch/CppSpaceInvaders.git
cd CppSpaceInvaders

Building with CMake

$ mkdir -p build && cd build && cmake .. && build

Running the Game

After building, the executable will be in the bin directory:

# From the build directory
./bin/CppSpaceInvaders

Controls

• Left/Right Arrow Keys: Move the player ship
• Space: Shoot
• ESC: Pause/Exit game

Project Structure

CppSpaceInvaders/
   assets/             # Game assets (sprites, sounds, fonts)
   include/            # Header files
   src/                # Source files
   CMakeLists.txt      # CMake build configuration
   .gitignore          # Git ignore file
   Readme.md           # This file

Game Components

• Player: Controls the player ship at the bottom of the screen
• Enemy: Various alien invaders that move in formation
• Bullet: Projectiles fired by the player and enemies
• Barrier: Destructible shields that protect the player
• UFO: Special enemy that occasionally appears at the top of the screen

Dependencies

• SDL3 - Simple DirectMedia Layer v3
• SDL3_ttf - SDL3 TrueType Font library (optional)

Building SDL3 from Source

If SDL3 is not available in your package manager, you can build it from source:

git clone https://github.com/libsdl-org/SDL.git -b SDL3
cd SDL
mkdir build
cd build
cmake ..
cmake --build .
sudo cmake --install .

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Acknowledgments

• The original Space Invaders game was created by Tomohiro Nishikado
• SDL3 development team for their excellent multimedia library