Haven't been keeping up my blog housekeeping duties for the past few days due to a relocation, but here it goes:
Programming:
Though I had a very busy schedule, I managed to find time for a little bit of learning. I also...(drumroll please).. coded my fist game!!
No it's not the next Call of Duty, it is just a small random number generator game called...Guess the Number.
Start small right?
I have been fortunate enough to come across some helpful tips on GameDev on all facets of programming. It would be a great spot to check out if you are interested in game programming, development, or graphics. It seems to be geared towards all levels of expertise as well, which is always a bonus.
Design: Discussion time!
In my reading I came to a few important points that really set my wheels churning. It was the argument pitting making your own game the best it can be or making your game for the consumers. This debate is generally won by the consumer side, as a lot of commercial games are made for money-making puposes, but are we losing some creativity points and generally degrading our game quality because of it?
Graphics:
Graphics are kind of on hold now as I begin to realise how much of a task that learning to program is. I will eventually get back to updating this section, but it might take a little while
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sometimes it just clicks...
Programming:
Today is turning out to be a good day on the programming front. I am working through structs and arrays, and I am now starting to see how this garbled-looking stuff could take shape into a game. I think it just takes a little bit of an altered view of things to see how certain things are performed from the mathematical side of things.
A little later I may progress on to operator overloading and maybe some basic classes. The overloading concept sort of eludes me so far, so it might take a bit to get a handle on it.
Design:
Still reading through Game Architecture and Design. I would highly reccommend this book. It does a great job outlining an efficient design phase and highlights the common mistakes that a lot of teams make. It talks about the importance of a clear and concise Design Document.
Another great segment in the book is a piece on the Dominant Strategy Problem. This could be defined as a catch-all strategy, or a universally superior way to play the game. In an RTS, this is the classic one unit wonder, or in an RPG it is the absolutely dominant skill. The author makes a point to convey the importance of having weaknesses and strengths of every unit. He used the example of Rock-Paper-Scissors. It may be the most primitive games of all time, but it displays a good model of balance. Each choice has a weakness and a strength,so selecting the right hand signal is your path to victory. The same strategy is used in well designed games. Each challenge should have a unique ( or as close as possible to unique) weakness and strength. It is the players job to find and exploit these weaknesses, and also be prepared to adapt to any situation.
Graphics:
The Graphics segment has sort of been on hold for the last bit as I get the basics down, though I have been looking around at some modelling resources and have found a bunch of great tutorials already. I have yet to pick a modelling program, though Blender seems to be a popular and capable program. The interface DOES look a little daunting though.
Music:
Was cruising around last night and a buddy of mine threw in a new CD I hadn't heard before. The name of the band was "Band of Horses". They are a bit of a different sound, but I immediately was drawn into the unique vocals and the soothig guitar. I'd reccomend checking them out.
Today is turning out to be a good day on the programming front. I am working through structs and arrays, and I am now starting to see how this garbled-looking stuff could take shape into a game. I think it just takes a little bit of an altered view of things to see how certain things are performed from the mathematical side of things.
A little later I may progress on to operator overloading and maybe some basic classes. The overloading concept sort of eludes me so far, so it might take a bit to get a handle on it.
Design:
Still reading through Game Architecture and Design. I would highly reccommend this book. It does a great job outlining an efficient design phase and highlights the common mistakes that a lot of teams make. It talks about the importance of a clear and concise Design Document.
Another great segment in the book is a piece on the Dominant Strategy Problem. This could be defined as a catch-all strategy, or a universally superior way to play the game. In an RTS, this is the classic one unit wonder, or in an RPG it is the absolutely dominant skill. The author makes a point to convey the importance of having weaknesses and strengths of every unit. He used the example of Rock-Paper-Scissors. It may be the most primitive games of all time, but it displays a good model of balance. Each choice has a weakness and a strength,so selecting the right hand signal is your path to victory. The same strategy is used in well designed games. Each challenge should have a unique ( or as close as possible to unique) weakness and strength. It is the players job to find and exploit these weaknesses, and also be prepared to adapt to any situation.
Graphics:
The Graphics segment has sort of been on hold for the last bit as I get the basics down, though I have been looking around at some modelling resources and have found a bunch of great tutorials already. I have yet to pick a modelling program, though Blender seems to be a popular and capable program. The interface DOES look a little daunting though.
Music:
Was cruising around last night and a buddy of mine threw in a new CD I hadn't heard before. The name of the band was "Band of Horses". They are a bit of a different sound, but I immediately was drawn into the unique vocals and the soothig guitar. I'd reccomend checking them out.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Today is a new day, accompanied by some new discoveries. I am getting a hang of basic code, and also reading some great books on game design. The book I have just started to read is "Game Architecture and Design" by Andrew Rollings and Dave Morris. Seems like a great up to date book.
I'll have a bigger update tommorrow with some tips and input on resources.
I'll have a bigger update tommorrow with some tips and input on resources.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Day 2 of the Crash Course: Codename Project Insanity
Today I woke up with a thirst for knowledge that could only be quenched by.... unintelligible blocks of code. All jokes aside, I wrote my first "Hello World" program today and also included a little input portion into my program.
Programming:
Sam's C++ has been a pretty clear and concise book so far. The topics that have been covered thus far (basic program structure, basic input/output) have been fairly simple, and aren't overcomplicated by the author.
Without previous experience with another compiler, Microsoft's Visual Express is doing a pretty splendid job with being user-friendly. I have yet to have a problem with the interface.
Something also must be said for a community I have been lurking for a little while called Gamedev. It is a site made and maintained by game desginer/programmer/artists with a flourishing forum with lots of great tips and discussions.
Design:
Delved into the first few chapters of the compiled HTML Chris Crawford on Game Design. I was pointed towards this tome of advice by a friend, and it seems to be a very frank, but spot-on assessment of the gaming industry as related to aspiring game designers. The points raised in this book really gave me a lot to think about in regards to what makes a game work. His emphasis on interactivity and the advantages/disadvantages of realism are great tidbits.
Graphics:
Started to read up on the different modelling programs and am waiting a bit to make my choice. I am soon going to pick out a book on basic modelling and delve into that aspect quite slowly. First things first, as I think that getting a good grasp of design and programming would put me farther ahead than a few nice models. In addition, my models will be tailored to my game, not the other way around.
Non-Project Insanity News:
Started to read How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Only through the first chapter and finding lots of usefull info centered on relationships and taking advantage of human tendencies. A much lighter read than I was expecting, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in bettering themselves in the social aspects of life.
Programming:
Sam's C++ has been a pretty clear and concise book so far. The topics that have been covered thus far (basic program structure, basic input/output) have been fairly simple, and aren't overcomplicated by the author.
Without previous experience with another compiler, Microsoft's Visual Express is doing a pretty splendid job with being user-friendly. I have yet to have a problem with the interface.
Something also must be said for a community I have been lurking for a little while called Gamedev. It is a site made and maintained by game desginer/programmer/artists with a flourishing forum with lots of great tips and discussions.
Design:
Delved into the first few chapters of the compiled HTML Chris Crawford on Game Design. I was pointed towards this tome of advice by a friend, and it seems to be a very frank, but spot-on assessment of the gaming industry as related to aspiring game designers. The points raised in this book really gave me a lot to think about in regards to what makes a game work. His emphasis on interactivity and the advantages/disadvantages of realism are great tidbits.
Graphics:
Started to read up on the different modelling programs and am waiting a bit to make my choice. I am soon going to pick out a book on basic modelling and delve into that aspect quite slowly. First things first, as I think that getting a good grasp of design and programming would put me farther ahead than a few nice models. In addition, my models will be tailored to my game, not the other way around.
Non-Project Insanity News:
Started to read How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. Only through the first chapter and finding lots of usefull info centered on relationships and taking advantage of human tendencies. A much lighter read than I was expecting, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in bettering themselves in the social aspects of life.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Grind
Today was a monumental day. I resolved to learn to create my own video game.. from scratch. I am quite aware of how huge of an undertaking this is, but I believe it will be a good experience in the end.
I will be posting little bytes on this blog as to how my progress is coming, and post helpful pieces of advice I gain in the process.
DAY 1
Here goes nothing. Swim suit on, ready to splash into the world of coding and programming. I picked up a book called Sams C++: Teach Yourself in One Hour a Day. The jury is still out on whether this is a good resource or not. I will try and give a quick first-impression based review tommorow.
I also downloaded Microsoft C++ 2008 Express Edition. From my surfing and review-reading, this compiler is a great value, being free and all. I will also give a short review of how things are going with this program.
Until next time,
The Archivist
I will be posting little bytes on this blog as to how my progress is coming, and post helpful pieces of advice I gain in the process.
DAY 1
Here goes nothing. Swim suit on, ready to splash into the world of coding and programming. I picked up a book called Sams C++: Teach Yourself in One Hour a Day. The jury is still out on whether this is a good resource or not. I will try and give a quick first-impression based review tommorow.
I also downloaded Microsoft C++ 2008 Express Edition. From my surfing and review-reading, this compiler is a great value, being free and all. I will also give a short review of how things are going with this program.
Until next time,
The Archivist
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