Beginning iOS Game Center and GameKit: For iOS, tvOS, and MacOS

Chapter 1: Getting Started with Game Kit and Game Center

Game Kit and Game Center a History
Game Center Benefits and Marketing
Game Kit: An Overview

Sample Game: UFOs

UFOs: Examining the Source Code

Getting Started with iTunes Connect

Chapter 2: Game Center: Setting Up and Getting Started

Game Center from the user perspective

Testing for Game Center

Authenticating with Game Center

The Sandbox

Watching for Status Changes

Working with GKLocalPlayer

Retrieving a Friends List

Friend List Avatars

Working with Players

Chapter 3: Leaderboards

Why a Leaderboard?

An Overview of Leaderboards in Game Center

Configuring a Leaderboard in iTunes Connect

Posting a Score

Setting a Default Leaderboard

Adding Score Posting to UFOs

Handling Failures When Submitting a Score

Presenting a Leaderboard

Customizing the Leaderboard

Mapping a Player ID

Local Player Score

A Better Approach

Chapter 4: Achievements

Why Achievements?

An Overview of Achievements in Game Center

Configuring Achievements in iTunes Connect

Resetting Achievements

Adding Achievement Hooks

Chapter 5: Matchmaking and Invitations

Why Add Matchmaking and Invitations to Your App?

Common Matchmaking Scenarios

Creating a New Match Request

Presenting Match GUI

Handling Incoming Invitations

Auto-Matching

Matching Programmatically

Adding a Player to a Match

iOS 5

Reinvites

Player Groups

Player Attributes

Player Activity

Using Your Own Server (Hosted Matches)

Chapter 6: The Peer Picker

Benefits of the Peer Picker

Real-World Examples

Working with Sessions

Presenting a Peer Picker

Advanced GKSession Interaction

The Peer Picker Delegate

Summary

Chapter 7: Network Design Overview

Three Types of Networks

Less Common Networks

Reliable Data vs. Unreliable Data

Sending Only What Is Needed

Prediction and Extrapolation

Formatting Messages

Preventing Cheating and Preventing Timeout-Related Disconnections

What to Do When All Else Fails

Chapter 8: Exchanging Data

Modifying a Single-Player Game

Setting Up Our Engine for Multiplayer

Putting Everything Together

Disconnections

Chapter 9: Turned-Based Gaming with Game Center

A New Sample Project

GKTurnedBasedMatchmakerViewController

Starting a New Game

Making the First Move

Continuing a Game in Progress

Ending a Match

Quitting and Forfeiting

Programmatic Matches

GKTurnBasedEventHandler

Chapter 10: Voice Chat

Voice Chat for Game Center

Voice Chat for Game Kit

Putting It Together

Chapter 11: In-App Purchase with StoreKit

Setting Up Your App in iTunes Connect

Adding Products to Your App

Purchasing a Product

Subscriptions and Renewals

Test Accounts and Testing Purchases

Submitting a Purchase GUI Screenshot

Developer Approval

Receipts

Tying Everything Together in UFOs