Makkaio: Game Boi

July 23, 2008

Lines and Brushes…

Filed under: Game Dev — Makkaio @ 1:45 am

Tonight I learned how to format lines (color, thickness, dashed, dotted) and use them within a Windows application. I also learned how to format “brushes” which is what fills a shape when it is drawn in Windows applications. Brushes can be solid, hashed or crossed. Fun stuff!

However, it is all leading up to my first windows application. Later this week I will be making a low-level graphics program. The functionality of the program will allow the user to select whether to draw a line, rectangle or square, and the styles of the pen and brush used to draw the item.

As simple as it sounds, the exercise will bring together all the concepts I’ve learned in C++ and Windows programming. It is a launching pad into making my first 2D game from the ground up. Should be fun.

July 21, 2008

Another Star Wars MMO…

Filed under: Games — Makkaio @ 3:47 pm

Gamespot has a story today that BioWare has finally lifted the veil of secrecy on its upcoming MMO.  And wouldn’t you know it is exactly what everyone has thought it would be.  The third installment of Knights of the Old Republic will be, yes, an MMO.  Read the full article here.

Circles and Squares…

Filed under: Game Dev, Misc. — Makkaio @ 12:57 am

While not a major breakthrough on the path to making video games, I’m getting into some fun stuff.  Yesterday and today, I learned how to:

  1. Create a very basic Windows message application.
  2. Create more complex Windows (Win32) applications with Windows message handling. (Keyboard and mouse input.)
  3. Create even more complex Windows (Win32) applications that could place text and draw lines, rectangles and ellipses.

 

July 20, 2008

Game Boi

Filed under: Game Dev — Makkaio @ 8:39 pm

A few people have said it would be interesting for me to blog about my advancement in the Game Design and Development course I’m taking. And since I want this to be a blog more about gaming, it makes sense. So, here goes.

I’m half of the way through Part 2 of a two-part course on C++ Programming For Video Games. (In case you don’t know, C++ is a popular programming language that is used to develop Video Games.) That means I’ve studied the basic and advanced techniques of C++ as the language applies to video games. And I am one lesson into Windows programming.

When I’m done with Part 2 of C++ Programming for Video Games, I will be fluent in programming with C++ and using it to create Windows applications, including 2D video games. On paper, that translates into completing a certificate course in C++ programming and a certificate course in Windows programming.

Then the good stuff starts. It’s on to 3D Graphics Programming with Direct X and making 3D video games.

But that’s not all folks! This is a serious 400-hour course. When I’m done, I will have the following:

C++ Programming (Certificate, possibly college credit if I take the proctored exam.)
Windows (Win32) Programming (Certificate, possibly college credit if I take the proctored exam.)
3D Programming with DirectX
Game Mathematics
Physics for Game Developers
Artificial Intelligence for Game Developers
…and an overall certificate in Video Game Design and Development

I’m more concerned about the math and physics part than all the programming. Stay tuned for the next exciting episode…

July 15, 2008

Wired…

Filed under: Driven and Focused, Obsessions — Makkaio @ 8:38 am

It’s 4 a.m.  I’m wired.  Could be from the coffee I had around 7 p.m.  Could be from taking the day off from work to get some rest after a terrible week prior.  In any event, maybe some blogging will make me tired.

A big reason I’m pumped is I’ve been able to accomplish quite a bit on my video game design and development course this past week, despite some real-life pitfalls.

I’m finally at the point in C++ For Video Game Development where I’m learning the Standard Template Library (STL).  Basically, this is the point where I am caught up with what I’ve already known in C++.  The STL is a library of ready-to-use snippets of code that I, the programmer, can access so I don’t have to re-invent the wheel.

Most of the STL deals with lists and how to manipulate the items in the lists that a programmer creates.  For example, a grocery list.  Instead of having to create a program that creates my grocery list, adds items to the list, sorts the list, deletes items from the list, etc.  There is a Standard Template (the ST in STL) that I can use to do all of that.

Without the STL, creating the digital grocery list would be the equivalent in real life to having to make the paper and construct the pen every time you want to make a list.

Now, I’ve studied C++ before, but not this in-depth.  I actually coded in it when I worked on a text-based game awhile back.  It’s been difficult to be forced to go back and learn C++ longhand, so to speak.  But it’s good to understand C++ at a much higher level than I previously did.

I got a 90% on my first quiz in Mod 2 of C++.  I might be ready tonight to take the second quiz.  That is if I don’t pass out from lack of sleep.  After that, I’m really jazzed because I’ll start learning Windows programming and start creating some 2D video games.

Now I just need to fall asleep.

July 13, 2008

We are sitting at Smuggler’s…

Filed under: Uncategorized — Makkaio @ 10:35 pm

We are sitting at Smuggler’s Wharf in Erie Pennsylvania and Hector has a big creamy drink. listen

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July 7, 2008

Weekend Recap…

Filed under: Blogging, Life — Makkaio @ 2:19 pm

Why reinvent the blog post?  Go over to Muze’s blog to check out how the weekend went down.

July 4, 2008

It’s a beautiful 4th…

Filed under: Uncategorized — Makkaio @ 5:24 pm

It’s a beautiful 4th of July day and I am sitting out in the sun watching the ____ sale and I hope you are having fun as well. listen

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It’s a bright beautiful…

Filed under: Uncategorized — Makkaio @ 3:44 pm

It’s a bright beautiful sunny day outside and we are doing the garage sale here at the Hainley(?) household in, I don’t know if you wanna drop by, feel free and pick up some stuff. Bye. listen

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We are getting ready…

Filed under: Uncategorized — Makkaio @ 4:16 am

We are getting ready to watch Gary Peters do his gig(?)_____and also watch Tiny Bee(?) do his set(?) in just a little bit, and should be a fun night. listen

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