Game Design From Concepts To Implementation Giacomo Cappellini - g.cappellini@mixelweb.it
What I do I code for video games I code editor tools I code utilities for the production of games I code scripts for the build pipeline Basically, I code But I design my own software
What I ve done Latest: Da Vinci s Art Of War (Coming Soon for ios & Android tablets ) Teaser -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hm_zgcavfm4 Other projects:
What are we going to do We re going to learn some basics about game programming. Just an introduction on how to express your idea into a playable prototype... by using a modern tool and by keeping it simple.
Want to be an Indie? Here s some of the expertise you need: Game Design Storytelling Interaction Design User experience Copywriting CG Graphics 3D Modelling, Texturing & Shading Game programming Per platform specific knowledge Skills and $$$ to sell your game Creativity? We will just pretend to have some of the above skills
One last bit of my intro I m a professional game programmer Feel free to ask any question I ll try to give you my best answer
Game Design From Concepts To Implementation 1/5: Starting from scratch Giacomo Cappellini - g.cappellini@mixelweb.it
Welcome to Game Design Lab
The Game Programmer
What does a Game Programmer do IF( you have a Game Design Document AND you are a computer programmer AND you know the target platform ) THEN {
1 Pick the hardware interface libraries you need -- EXAMPLES Items not explained in this course Low-Level: High(er)-Level:
2 Achieve control over platform I/O Pack the API(s) found in step 1 into a bigger API to gain full control over Audio + Video + Input + [hardware..] Or pick an Higher-Level Engine that can do this for you: -- EXAMPLES --
3 Integrate with additional tools Add the equipment you need/want/like to accomplish your job -- EXAMPLES We won t touch any of these
4 Stack everything together And make your game on top of it Best game ever made! Your Toolbox! O.S. API / High Level Libs! Drivers / O.S. / Low Level Libs! Hardware!
Maintenance problem If you change one layer you have to adjust every layer on top of it
Reliability problem If you find a bug in the topmost layer you have to crawl down the pyramid searching for the real one
Don t mess with implementation details
Don t mess with implementation details If you want to spend your time making your game pick your tools accordingly AND test the all the features in advance: Program Frustrate Debug General tip: If you re not the author of the code you re using test it until you trust it, or let the author purchase you trust
Break
Our choice Website: www.unity3d.com Developer: Unity Technologies Current Version: 4.2.0 Written in: C#/C++ Platforms: OSX, Win Licenses: Proprietary - Free or Pro
Why Unity Free license is free enough for us Ranks#1 for mobile game developer technology survey 2012, topping the list with 53,1% of developers reporting using Unity. Large community Graphical Editor Great software design Great API with good documentation Rapid learning curve Great learning tool It works!
First View: Ghostly Forest Demo Download the Unity Project here: http://bit.ly/1b4b3rm