Components of a game

Components of a game

 

Basically a game has the following components

 

• Initialization
• Standar operations, variable creation
• x=0;
• game_status = INIT;
• …
• (Notice you will use C++)
• Enter game loop
• The process enters the loop
• while(game_status != game_over)…
• Retrieve player input
• Catch keystrokes and input devices signaling
• …
• Perform AI and game logic
• AI = Artificial intelligence (It’s serious, even pacman has AI)
• Physics = Do you remember parabolic shoot formula?
• Math = 2D & 3D matrix
• Calculate images = More, and more math,
• Create 3D objects = Load 3D templates created on 3Dstudio, Truespace, Maya, blender(free!)
• Render next frame
• Is the new image read?, Render..
• Copy from memory to screen
• Synchronize display
• How many frames will you render in a minute? Usually 30fps
• Put a delay between rendering scenes
• Loop
• Back to the beginning
• Let’s start again
• Shutdown
• Release resources
• That’s all folks

 

Some advice:

Are you a pre-OOP developer? Great! Then you know how things works without objects, but don’t leave far away, this is a game, not a business application.

Don’t use tiers, properties, helper classes, etc. you really need the minimal amount of code. Just code C++.

(Actually it is possible to use C#, but I really prefer C++ and fight the memory, pointers and others)

Please, get a good DirectX tutorial and reference and use the last development tools.

You don’t need VStudio, just a C++ compiler, but if your games are Windows based then use a Microsoft tool like VStudio.NET 2005

If you work for the ‘empire’ use tool for the ‘empire’ y if you work for the rebellion use a X-Wing

 

 

 

 

---