Looks like XNA will be the development tool for games in Windows Mobile 7. It makes you wonder how easy it will be to take a game meant for the Xbox 360 and port it to a phone?
The biggest hurdle will probably be performance. Unless it uses platform-specific code or features a game written in XNA will already run on PC, Xbox 360 and Zune, but obviously the 360 can handle much heavier graphics than a Zune can. Designing a game for a phone or Zune and then porting it to the 360 will be a lot easier.
I messed around with putting a game on the original Zune, and performance wasn't too bad. You were limited to the spritebatch stuff, but it was exactly the same code as for PC/Xbox otherwise.
The new font is MUCH better. I also love your four characters, I can't wait to play this game.
You guys have inspired me to get back into game development. I had worked 6 months on my previous RPG attempt (very much inspired by Earthbound) before my partner pulled out of the project. I think I'll follow the route you guys took, simpler sprites and graphics without losing the colours
Sebbie on
"It's funny that pirates were always going around searching for treasure, and they never realized that the real treasure was the fond memories they were creating."
I'm currently making the tutorial for my bird flight game. I thought I'd post this montage to give people an idea of the controls (click for a larger version);
The tutorial is voiced, but the out-of-character game controller mapping stuff comes as pause pop ups. My biggest concern with this game is that the control scheme will be too complicated for new players. Unfortunately I can't think of a way to simplify it without seriously compromising gameplay.
I am learning that subtitles are much more work than you'd think. You have to chop the entire script into tiny pieces, put it in XML files, attach it to the audio files, tag it with speaker ID data, put in millisecond offsets for triggers, then put in a mechanism to compensate for slow readers, and of course integrate it into the draw code and make sure it's visible whatever the background is or what UI overlays are present. But if you don't do this, the accessibility / disabled rights people will send shock troops in rocket-powered wheelchairs to stone you to death you with expired hearing aid batteries...
Well maybe. I don't want to take that risk, so I am doing the subtitles.
I'm currently making the tutorial for my bird flight game. I thought I'd post this montage to give people an idea of the controls (click for a larger version);
The tutorial is voiced, but the out-of-character game controller mapping stuff comes as pause pop ups. My biggest concern with this game is that the control scheme will be too complicated for new players. Unfortunately I can't think of a way to simplify it without seriously compromising gameplay.
This right here. This is how you know it's a flight simulator. :P
Okay, a question: how do you create something like a high score file that's shared between different users on the same Xbox? I know you can access files stored at the game's location using the path you get from StorageContainer.TitleLocation; however, on the Xbox I can read a file like that just fine, but trying to write to them with FileMode.Open results in a file permission exception.
The only other thing I can think of is trying to open an already existing file with FileMode.Truncate, but unfortunately I can't actually test stuff on my Xbox right now.
savooipeerd on
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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anoffdayTo be changed whenever Anoffday gets around to it.Registered Userregular
edited February 2010
Man, people who make their own games are awesome. I want to make my own game. I've been wanting to do it for a long time, but I'm so lost. Where do I start? Learn C#? I know literally nothing about programming, but I just read an article on joystiq about the guy who made a game called Kaleidoscope, and it sounded like he didn't know anything at the beginning either and it gives me hope.
Man, people who make their own games are awesome. I want to make my own game. I've been wanting to do it for a long time, but I'm so lost. Where do I start? Learn C#? I know literally nothing about programming, but I just read an article on joystiq about the guy who made a game called Kaleidoscope, and it sounded like he didn't know anything at the beginning either and it gives me hope.
Yeah, your best bet would be to run through a C# tutorial, preferably one with a focus on Windows Forms. Windows Forms lets you show windows with various buttons and textboxes on your screen, which will give you a decent start at handling input. You'll also learn about event handlers which are very powerful, but hard to learn about out of context.
After that, you might want to look into the Graphics object. It isn't used in XNA, but it'll be a good simple start at drawing objects onto the screen. You wouldn't have to go too deep into it though.
Finally, you might want to skim a Linear Algebra textbook. You're going to want to understand vectors to do any kind of physics.
And if you have any problems, people in this thread are always happy to help. Even I've picked up a few C# tricks from this thread and I program C# professionally.
Man, people who make their own games are awesome. I want to make my own game. I've been wanting to do it for a long time, but I'm so lost. Where do I start? Learn C#? I know literally nothing about programming, but I just read an article on joystiq about the guy who made a game called Kaleidoscope, and it sounded like he didn't know anything at the beginning either and it gives me hope.
If you just want to make games, you could try the beginner tutorials included in the XNA help files. They helped me more than anything else I could find when I was first getting started.
And definitely ask for help in this thread if you get stuck. Definitely.
mntorankusu on
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anoffdayTo be changed whenever Anoffday gets around to it.Registered Userregular
Man, people who make their own games are awesome. I want to make my own game. I've been wanting to do it for a long time, but I'm so lost. Where do I start? Learn C#? I know literally nothing about programming, but I just read an article on joystiq about the guy who made a game called Kaleidoscope, and it sounded like he didn't know anything at the beginning either and it gives me hope.
Yeah, your best bet would be to run through a C# tutorial, preferably one with a focus on Windows Forms. Windows Forms lets you show windows with various buttons and textboxes on your screen, which will give you a decent start at handling input. You'll also learn about event handlers which are very powerful, but hard to learn about out of context.
After that, you might want to look into the Graphics object. It isn't used in XNA, but it'll be a good simple start at drawing objects onto the screen. You wouldn't have to go too deep into it though.
Finally, you might want to skim a Linear Algebra textbook. You're going to want to understand vectors to do any kind of physics.
And if you have any problems, people in this thread are always happy to help. Even I've picked up a few C# tricks from this thread and I program C# professionally.
If you just want to make games, you could try the beginner tutorials included in the XNA help files. They helped me more than anything else I could find when I was first getting started.
And definitely ask for help in this thread if you get stuck. Definitely.
Are you currently working on a game?
anoffday on
Steam: offday
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mntorankusuI'm not sure how to use this thing....Registered Userregular
If you just want to make games, you could try the beginner tutorials included in the XNA help files. They helped me more than anything else I could find when I was first getting started.
And definitely ask for help in this thread if you get stuck. Definitely.
Are you currently working on a game?
Yeah. I posted some videos of a platformer I was working on before. Here's the most recent video I made:
Working on a different thing now, because I got bored with this, though. I really like the current project I'm working on so hopefully I won't get bored with it, but there's nothing to show yet. Anyway, why do you ask?
C# 2008 is the one that works with XNA. It's a free download at creators.xna.com
I'm no expert, but from what I understand C# is basically a more user friendly version of C++.
From a technical standpoint, the primary difference is that C# is a managed language.
In layman's terms, that means that you trade a little bit of performance for the language to handle (most) memory allocation and to keep you from doing anything incredibly stupid.
I like to describe C# as Microsoft's "version" of Java after the courts told them they couldn't make a version of Java.
gjaustin on
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anoffdayTo be changed whenever Anoffday gets around to it.Registered Userregular
If you just want to make games, you could try the beginner tutorials included in the XNA help files. They helped me more than anything else I could find when I was first getting started.
And definitely ask for help in this thread if you get stuck. Definitely.
Are you currently working on a game?
Yeah. I posted some videos of a platformer I was working on before. Here's the most recent video I made:
Working on a different thing now, because I got bored with this, though. I really like the current project I'm working on so hopefully I won't get bored with it, but there's nothing to show yet. Anyway, why do you ask?
C# 2008 is the one that works with XNA. It's a free download at creators.xna.com
I'm no expert, but from what I understand C# is basically a more user friendly version of C++.
From a technical standpoint, the primary difference is that C# is a managed language.
In layman's terms, that means that you trade a little bit of performance for the language to handle (most) memory allocation and to keep you from doing anything incredibly stupid.
I like to describe C# as Microsoft's "version" of Java after the courts told them they couldn't make a version of Java.
I have been thinking about this topic a lot recently, and I'd like to add the following:
Java forces you to do a lot of error-checking. If a function throws an exception ("could produce an unpredictable error"), you MUST put that sucker in a try-catch. C# gives you a little more leeway. On the one hand, you can produce non-functioning and error-prone code. On the other hand, you don't have to fight the compiler just to run what you've written.
Ever since I learned C#, I've been mortified at the prospect of returning to Java.
(It is a great language to write a game in with the XNA libraries.)
Kupi on
My favorite musical instrument is the air-raid siren.
For my part, I've got all of the single character abilities done in the battle system and I'm hoping to get all of the multi-character unite abilities done tonight.
EDIT: Just finished the unite abilities! Now on to monster abilities & save/load system!
C# 2008 is the one that works with XNA. It's a free download at creators.xna.com
I'm no expert, but from what I understand C# is basically a more user friendly version of C++.
From a technical standpoint, the primary difference is that C# is a managed language.
In layman's terms, that means that you trade a little bit of performance for the language to handle (most) memory allocation and to keep you from doing anything incredibly stupid.
I like to describe C# as Microsoft's "version" of Java after the courts told them they couldn't make a version of Java.
I have been thinking about this topic a lot recently, and I'd like to add the following:
Java forces you to do a lot of error-checking. If a function throws an exception ("could produce an unpredictable error"), you MUST put that sucker in a try-catch. C# gives you a little more leeway. On the one hand, you can produce non-functioning and error-prone code. On the other hand, you don't have to fight the compiler just to run what you've written.
Ever since I learned C#, I've been mortified at the prospect of returning to Java.
(It is a great language to write a game in with the XNA libraries.)
I'm just glad they let you compare strings with == now instead of using .equals().
Last time I programmed Java, after being spoiled by C#, I banged my head against a bug caused by that for hours until I remembered.
Ok, so I've got a problem which I can't figure out. I have various objects which move along a 2D plane and when they get out of a certain range, they should start moving towards a target. I have the code below:
public void Update(GameTime gameTime, Vector2 target, ref Level level)
{
if (gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.Milliseconds > 0)
{
int ms = gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.Milliseconds;
// change direction to face target
if (target.X > Position.X)
Velocity.X += (acceleration / ms);
if (target.X < Position.X)
Velocity.X -= (acceleration / ms);
if (target.Y > Position.Y)
Velocity.Y += (acceleration / ms);
if (target.Y < Position.Y)
Velocity.Y -= (acceleration / ms);
// Clamp to max velocity
if (Velocity.X > MaxVelocity && Velocity.X > 0)
Velocity.X = MaxVelocity;
if (Velocity.X < -MaxVelocity && Velocity.X < 0)
Velocity.X = -MaxVelocity;
if (Velocity.Y > MaxVelocity && Velocity.Y > 0)
Velocity.Y = MaxVelocity;
if (Velocity.Y < -MaxVelocity && Velocity.Y < 0)
Velocity.Y = -MaxVelocity;
// Keep record of old position
Vector2 oldPosition = Position;
// Move forward
Position += (Velocity / ms);
// Check if there was a collision
if(CheckCollision(ref level))
Position = oldPosition; // If so, then revert to old position
}
}
MaxVelocity = 30
When I set acceleration to 16 and above everything works great. If I set acceleration to 15 and below it stops working. The objects keep moving but they just keep going until they hit something, they never change their direction to the target. Has anyone got any suggestions on this?
Ok, so I've got a problem which I can't figure out. I have various objects which move along a 2D plane and when they get out of a certain range, they should start moving towards a target. I have the code below:
MaxVelocity = 30
When I set acceleration to 16 and above everything works great. If I set acceleration to 15 and below it stops working. The objects keep moving but they just keep going until they hit something, they never change their direction to the target. Has anyone got any suggestions on this?
ms is an int, and most likely ms=16 or 17 for a 60 FPS game. Since you're using integer math, accel/ms will get rounded down to zero if accel<16. Convert either acceleration or ms to a float and you should be good.
Posts
The biggest hurdle will probably be performance. Unless it uses platform-specific code or features a game written in XNA will already run on PC, Xbox 360 and Zune, but obviously the 360 can handle much heavier graphics than a Zune can. Designing a game for a phone or Zune and then porting it to the 360 will be a lot easier.
You guys have inspired me to get back into game development. I had worked 6 months on my previous RPG attempt (very much inspired by Earthbound) before my partner pulled out of the project. I think I'll follow the route you guys took, simpler sprites and graphics without losing the colours
Also here's another screenshot of the overworld I'm working on for our RPG:
:P
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
I've got a bad case of lovin' you.
Yes, indeed! Good job
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
You play Dwarf Fortress, don't you?
The tutorial is voiced, but the out-of-character game controller mapping stuff comes as pause pop ups. My biggest concern with this game is that the control scheme will be too complicated for new players. Unfortunately I can't think of a way to simplify it without seriously compromising gameplay.
Unless you could come up with some sort of easy mode. I dunno.
(BTW, I'm excited for this game.)
I've got a bad case of lovin' you.
X360 button image pack by Jeff Jenkins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufOuPaY77P8
I'm very, very ready for this to be done. Hopefully in a few weeks.
But it's fun! I'm enjoying the creative process of doing so.
But man it's more work than it seems that's for sure.
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
Steam ID: slashx000______Twitter: @bill_at_zeboyd______ Facebook: Zeboyd Games
Well maybe. I don't want to take that risk, so I am doing the subtitles.
This right here. This is how you know it's a flight simulator. :P
I want to say something about Dungeon Man here, but I'm not sure whether he was supposed to be an example of good dungeons or bad dungeons.
The only other thing I can think of is trying to open an already existing file with FileMode.Truncate, but unfortunately I can't actually test stuff on my Xbox right now.
Yeah, your best bet would be to run through a C# tutorial, preferably one with a focus on Windows Forms. Windows Forms lets you show windows with various buttons and textboxes on your screen, which will give you a decent start at handling input. You'll also learn about event handlers which are very powerful, but hard to learn about out of context.
After that, you might want to look into the Graphics object. It isn't used in XNA, but it'll be a good simple start at drawing objects onto the screen. You wouldn't have to go too deep into it though.
Finally, you might want to skim a Linear Algebra textbook. You're going to want to understand vectors to do any kind of physics.
And if you have any problems, people in this thread are always happy to help. Even I've picked up a few C# tricks from this thread and I program C# professionally.
If you just want to make games, you could try the beginner tutorials included in the XNA help files. They helped me more than anything else I could find when I was first getting started.
And definitely ask for help in this thread if you get stuck. Definitely.
I just downloaded XNA, now I need one of these:
Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition
Visual C# 2008 Express Edition
Visual C++ 2008 Express Edition
Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition
Which one should I get to work with XNA? What's the difference between C# and C++? If it helps, I want to make 2D platformers.
I'm no expert, but from what I understand C# is basically a more user friendly version of C++.
Zeboyd Games Development Blog
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire, Facebook : Zeboyd Games
Are you currently working on a game?
Yeah. I posted some videos of a platformer I was working on before. Here's the most recent video I made:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxLNxFc3P-k
Working on a different thing now, because I got bored with this, though. I really like the current project I'm working on so hopefully I won't get bored with it, but there's nothing to show yet. Anyway, why do you ask?
From a technical standpoint, the primary difference is that C# is a managed language.
In layman's terms, that means that you trade a little bit of performance for the language to handle (most) memory allocation and to keep you from doing anything incredibly stupid.
I like to describe C# as Microsoft's "version" of Java after the courts told them they couldn't make a version of Java.
I have been thinking about this topic a lot recently, and I'd like to add the following:
Java forces you to do a lot of error-checking. If a function throws an exception ("could produce an unpredictable error"), you MUST put that sucker in a try-catch. C# gives you a little more leeway. On the one hand, you can produce non-functioning and error-prone code. On the other hand, you don't have to fight the compiler just to run what you've written.
Ever since I learned C#, I've been mortified at the prospect of returning to Java.
(It is a great language to write a game in with the XNA libraries.)
I don't really know if requiring exception handling is a flaw though. It's annoying if you're writing quick one-offs, granted.
For my part, I've got all of the single character abilities done in the battle system and I'm hoping to get all of the multi-character unite abilities done tonight.
EDIT: Just finished the unite abilities! Now on to monster abilities & save/load system!
Zeboyd Games Development Blog
Steam ID : rwb36, Twitter : Werezompire, Facebook : Zeboyd Games
I'm just glad they let you compare strings with == now instead of using .equals().
Last time I programmed Java, after being spoiled by C#, I banged my head against a bug caused by that for hours until I remembered.
This looks like a quality product.
Me? I'm a fan of quality products.
I've got a bad case of lovin' you.
public void Update(GameTime gameTime, Vector2 target, ref Level level) { if (gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.Milliseconds > 0) { int ms = gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.Milliseconds; // change direction to face target if (target.X > Position.X) Velocity.X += (acceleration / ms); if (target.X < Position.X) Velocity.X -= (acceleration / ms); if (target.Y > Position.Y) Velocity.Y += (acceleration / ms); if (target.Y < Position.Y) Velocity.Y -= (acceleration / ms); // Clamp to max velocity if (Velocity.X > MaxVelocity && Velocity.X > 0) Velocity.X = MaxVelocity; if (Velocity.X < -MaxVelocity && Velocity.X < 0) Velocity.X = -MaxVelocity; if (Velocity.Y > MaxVelocity && Velocity.Y > 0) Velocity.Y = MaxVelocity; if (Velocity.Y < -MaxVelocity && Velocity.Y < 0) Velocity.Y = -MaxVelocity; // Keep record of old position Vector2 oldPosition = Position; // Move forward Position += (Velocity / ms); // Check if there was a collision if(CheckCollision(ref level)) Position = oldPosition; // If so, then revert to old position } }MaxVelocity = 30
When I set acceleration to 16 and above everything works great. If I set acceleration to 15 and below it stops working. The objects keep moving but they just keep going until they hit something, they never change their direction to the target. Has anyone got any suggestions on this?
ms is an int, and most likely ms=16 or 17 for a 60 FPS game. Since you're using integer math, accel/ms will get rounded down to zero if accel<16. Convert either acceleration or ms to a float and you should be good.