Author Topic: Beginning game programming course (Read 45064 times)

shponglefan · « **Reply #80 on:** February 18, 2015, 12:10:23 pm »

Quote from: Vigo on February 17, 2015, 10:43:03 pm

In High school, we had our science teacher out on an extended leave, and we had a tech teacher fill out our semester. We ended up taking a semester making our own video game in class using some utility I can't remember. My game was one of the only ones that mecahnically was a completed and working game. It was called Super Bean Puzzle, and it was pretty much an Adventure of Lolo clone. The only other games that my classmates were able to finish no problems was a frogger style game and a maze style game.

Just a few theme ideas for people thinking K.I.S.S.

Good advice. One thing I remember from programming games many moons ago was that often times things took far longer than anticipated. So when designing game scope, the best thing is to cut it down to the bare minimum, build a working game from that, then progressively add to it.

Generic Eric · « **Reply #81 on:** February 18, 2015, 12:14:00 pm »

Quote from: shponglefan on February 18, 2015, 12:08:28 pm

Quote from: Vigo on February 17, 2015, 10:34:16 pm
Quote from: shponglefan on February 17, 2015, 08:29:59 pm
Here are a few game items of mine. Most of these are from when I originally tried making games in my youth.

Open World Space Trader w/ 2D Shmup Graphics + Combat - I was thinking a crossover between Elite, a bullet hell shooter, and Asteroids. In particular, I want the Asteroids style control to allow for strafing type shots.

If you are looking for that game, (either for inspiration or for a fun game to play), try out the escape velocity series, particularly EV Nova. I think that game is exactly what you are describing.

Cool, hadn't heard of that specific game series before so I'll check it out!

But I'm under no allusions that my ideas are in any way unique. I recently started combing through indie 2D space games and was amazed at the sheer number and combinations of different game types and genres. Apparently a lot of people are combining shmup-esque games with other mechanics like open world exploration/4X/RPGs/etc.

I had to look up 4x, so for the benefit of others:
|4X games (That is, Xpand, Xplore, Xploit and Xterminate) like Civilization, Sins of a Solar Empire, and other top Strategy games|

Vigo · « **Reply #82 on:** February 18, 2015, 12:37:20 pm »

Quote from: shponglefan on February 18, 2015, 12:08:28 pm

Cool, hadn't heard of that specific game series before so I'll check it out!

But I'm under no allusions that my ideas are in any way unique. I recently started combing through indie 2D space games and was amazed at the sheer number and combinations of different game types and genres. Apparently a lot of people are combining shmup-esque games with other mechanics like open world exploration/4X/RPGs/etc.

Yeah, EV games are pretty awesome in the sense that it is an open ended choose your own destiny game where you can be a trader,
a pirate, join a number of races or factions, then layered on a 2d space shooter game. And yep, you can do strafe shots. Just build up inertia turn to the side and blast away. The early games were mac only but EV Nova is mac and windows. One of my favorite game series.

And actually, I thought your games sounded pretty darn original, unique and refreshing. Quite to my taste in games as well. I would love them all. I just happened to know an indie space game that fit the bill, and an obscure commodore title that your hacker game stoked memories for me.

Vigo · « **Reply #83 on:** February 18, 2015, 12:41:28 pm »

Quote from: Generic Eric on February 18, 2015, 12:14:00 pm

I had to look up 4x, so for the benefit of others:
|4X games (That is, Xpand, Xplore, Xploit and Xterminate) like Civilization, Sins of a Solar Empire, and other top Strategy games|

I've never heard the term 4X either. I always just called them RTS/TBS games. (Real Time Strategy, Turn Based Strategy)

JDFan · « **Reply #84 on:** February 18, 2015, 04:33:59 pm »

Just got an E-mail that the course work is posted if anyone wants to get started early !

Generic Eric · « **Reply #85 on:** February 18, 2015, 05:37:00 pm »

Well, here is to hoping burning teddy bears is a clone of robotron.

eds1275 · « **Reply #86 on:** February 18, 2015, 06:44:25 pm »

Pro Tip! For shorter shots, swing softer!

Wait this isn't Golden Tee! Those pro tips send my wife into a rage!

I generally do one of two things on my online courses. One, when I'm super into it, I sit in my music studio with my multiple monitor setup and watch on one screen and work in the other. Or two, I load the lectures up on the browser on my xbox, and work on a laptop in my living room.

05SRT4 · « **Reply #87 on:** February 18, 2015, 10:57:54 pm »

Ohh snap, just signed up.

eds1275 - Thanks for sharing this!!

lordnacho · « **Reply #88 on:** February 19, 2015, 03:22:23 pm »

Watched some of the videos. Just curious why he doesn't wear pants.

JDFan · « **Reply #89 on:** February 19, 2015, 03:39:40 pm »

Quote from: lordnacho on February 19, 2015, 03:22:23 pm

Watched some of the videos. Just curious why he doesn't wear pants.

Maybe he'll have an in lecture quiz for that ??

eds1275 · « **Reply #90 on:** February 19, 2015, 03:49:35 pm »

He's very uncomfortable. He makes me uncomfortable. His jokes are terrible. I'm hooked.

JDFan · « **Reply #91 on:** February 19, 2015, 05:09:59 pm »

Quote from: eds1275 on February 19, 2015, 03:49:35 pm

He's very uncomfortable. He makes me uncomfortable. His jokes are terrible. I'm hooked.

+1 --- I pretty much wound up watching them all last night. should be an interesting 12 weeks.

Then took a look at the first assignment and

didn't realize we'd be starting with physics problems

( At least he gave us the needed equations instead of assuming we'd remember them !)

Wound up not being that hard of an assignment - though did run into a couple things (ie. assigning a float variable to the gravity constant - took a few minutes to find out what F syntax was that the compiler was complaining about when assigning the 9.8 value to it.

Luckily had already installed the local help files when setting up the environment)

eds1275 · « **Reply #92 on:** February 19, 2015, 06:40:58 pm »

f, as in for float? I haven't got there yet but likely will today or tomorrow.

melvinbates · « **Reply #93 on:** February 19, 2015, 06:56:51 pm »

Quote from: eds1275 on February 19, 2015, 06:40:58 pm

f, as in for float? I haven't got there yet but likely will today or tomorrow.

Yup, to tell the compiler it's not a double (which is what it assumes when a literal has a decimal). so float gravity = 9.8f;

lordnacho · « **Reply #94 on:** February 19, 2015, 08:01:06 pm »

He gave a very opinionated comment about the var keyword, saying that's only for scripting languages. It's worth looking up that there are people who disagree. It has it's purposes, which I think he should have touched on.

JDFan · « **Reply #95 on:** February 19, 2015, 09:23:05 pm »

Quote from: melvinbates on February 19, 2015, 06:56:51 pm

Quote from: eds1275 on February 19, 2015, 06:40:58 pm
f, as in for float? I haven't got there yet but likely will today or tomorrow.

Yup, to tell the compiler it's not a double (which is what it assumes when a literal has a decimal). so float gravity = 9.8f;

^this -- though it would be const float GRAVITY = 9.8f; ( since he wants constants to use Capitalization when naming and GRAVITY should be a constant.)

melvinbates · « **Reply #96 on:** February 19, 2015, 09:27:54 pm »

Quote from: JDFan on February 19, 2015, 09:23:05 pm

Quote from: melvinbates on February 19, 2015, 06:56:51 pm
Quote from: eds1275 on February 19, 2015, 06:40:58 pm
f, as in for float? I haven't got there yet but likely will today or tomorrow.

Yup, to tell the compiler it's not a double (which is what it assumes when a literal has a decimal). so float gravity = 9.8f;

^this -- though it would be const float GRAVITY = 9.8f; ( since he wants constants to use Capitalization when naming and GRAVITY should be a constant.)

Good call.

RoyalScam · « **Reply #97 on:** February 20, 2015, 09:37:19 am »

Cheaters! You could've called "spoilers"! I'm only just now downloading Visual C# and XNA and you people are already discussing physics, syntax, and the efficacy of the var keyword. Well, I don't know what any of that means, but I do know that my company has that SQL thing and I just installed it along with a hundred other things in the C# express thingy. Forget games, I'm goin' for the Superman III hack. I hope they don't read my posts.

Regards,
Scam

lordnacho · « **Reply #98 on:** February 20, 2015, 09:39:20 am »

I think this is the first time, I've done my homework early

Vigo · « **Reply #99 on:** February 22, 2015, 01:27:01 am »

Ok, just trying to piece together who is enrolled. Let me know if I missed anyone.

Roll Call!

eds1275
JDFan
Generic Eric
yotsuya
Vigo
RoyalScam
thatpurplestuff
shponglefan
melvinbates
Admiral688
wp34
lordnacho
05SRT4
EssexMame
empardopo
arquillos
BorgDog

...and Croooow!

jennifer · « **Reply #100 on:** February 22, 2015, 02:25:46 am »

Quote from: yotsuya on February 17, 2015, 12:33:34 pm

Given this place's propensity with feature creep and idea man syndrome (actually, all gaming sites I've ever been on), I would recommend a Group PM.

Theres nothing wrong with outlaying ideas across the spectrum, It gives choices.... A group PM In my opinon would stagnate and lack a fresh take on the problem at hand.

RoyalScam · « **Reply #101 on:** February 22, 2015, 03:46:42 am »

Quote from: Vigo on February 22, 2015, 01:27:01 am

...and Croooow!
[

That's one O!

Admiral688 · « **Reply #102 on:** February 22, 2015, 09:11:08 pm »

Installing the components as we speak......

shponglefan · « **Reply #103 on:** February 22, 2015, 11:18:51 pm »

Quote from: JDFan on February 19, 2015, 05:09:59 pm

Then took a look at the first assignment and didn't realize we'd be starting with physics problems ( At least he gave us the needed equations instead of assuming we'd remember them !)

I was thinking about that and realized it was probably very intentional. Assuming we're doing any sort of 2D or 3D action games, there is probably going to be a whole lot more physics to come!

Vigo · « **Reply #104 on:** February 23, 2015, 12:16:31 am »

Phew! That was not exactly what I had in mind for a first assignment.

But...I did it!

EssexMame · « **Reply #105 on:** February 23, 2015, 10:14:44 am »

I'm on the course too. I've setup the environment and am working through the video intro/overview videos now... Not sure yet if I'll last the distance - it depends how much time it takes each week I guess.

Vigo · « **Reply #106 on:** February 23, 2015, 10:28:38 am »

You are on the list!

JDFan · « **Reply #107 on:** February 23, 2015, 10:41:13 am »

Quote from: Vigo on February 23, 2015, 12:16:31 am

Phew! That was not exactly what I had in mind for a first assignment.

But...I did it!

wp34 · « **Reply #108 on:** February 23, 2015, 11:04:10 pm »

I've been having trouble getting through the videos for some reason. I just installed the CourseRA app on my phone so hopefully that will give me more opportunities to watch.

empardopo · « **Reply #109 on:** February 24, 2015, 03:27:35 am »

I'm in.

shponglefan · « **Reply #110 on:** February 24, 2015, 11:25:19 pm »

So is Week 1 the only content which will be posted early? I wouldn't have been such a keener if I'd known that...

EssexMame · « **Reply #111 on:** February 26, 2015, 09:42:17 am »

All done for week one. Except uploading my screenshot at least, which doesn't seem to work currently!

eds1275 · « **Reply #112 on:** February 26, 2015, 11:03:21 am »

He says Component strangely. Commmm ponent!

I'm actually just starting the videos on actual stuff. Busy life!!! I just found out the speed up video button, and I think 1.25 is actually a little better.

Vigo · « **Reply #113 on:** February 26, 2015, 11:13:44 am »

As busy as I have been lately, I am chomping at the bit to move on to the next videos. I'm hooked.

wp34 · « **Reply #114 on:** February 26, 2015, 11:32:13 am »

It is too bad the content isn't all available at once.

eds1275 · « **Reply #115 on:** February 26, 2015, 01:16:16 pm »

Well if anyone has completed this weeks fun, can you please tell me if you think what I've done here looks right? I got a little flustered trying to find a formula that changes degrees to radians. And yes, I changed the scenario to mortars... because I think it's a better example than tanks. I found lots of different examples of changing degrees to rads so I picked the easiest one I found... I copied the angle and velocity from Vigo's, and got very different results...

mortarAngle = mortarAngle / 180;

JDFan · « **Reply #116 on:** February 26, 2015, 01:25:10 pm »

Quote from: eds1275 on February 26, 2015, 01:16:16 pm

Well if anyone has completed this weeks fun, can you please tell me if you think what I've done here looks right? I got a little flustered trying to find a formula that changes degrees to radians. And yes, I changed the scenario to mortars... because I think it's a better example than tanks. I found lots of different examples of changing degrees to rads so I picked the easiest one I found... I copied the angle and velocity from Vigo's, and got very different results...

mortarAngle = mortarAngle / 180;

TO go from degrees to radians the formula is angleDegrees * Pi /180 not angleDegrees * 180 !!

For Pi you can use Math.PI

So For the assignment use something like :

float mortarAngleRadians = mortarAngleDegree * ((float)Math.PI / 180);

Vigo · « **Reply #117 on:** February 26, 2015, 01:29:33 pm »

JD has got it, you need to throw some Pi in there. Since the character

isn't something that you can type (easily), it is put in as a math function. I am assuming there is a whole library of math functions. Math.PI or Math.Sin and Math.Cos listed in the coursework.

eds1275 · « **Reply #118 on:** February 26, 2015, 01:30:56 pm »

Aha! Now my answers match! Maybe now we are both right or wrong. Was converting from degrees to radians in the book or the lectures? I didn't see it anywhere.

Vigo · « **Reply #119 on:** February 26, 2015, 01:39:48 pm »

That part was from google searching.


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