Guide to game development for Zune

Bursh · 05-15-2008, 05:48 AM

Hey

I think it would be great if we could develop a guide to developing games for Zune. It would certainly help new developers get into it, which would increase the number of games we have to choose from. I for one would be willing to get this started once I get my problems with opening the project files fixed.

I think, at bare minimum, we should have:

Basics of making Zune games

Including:
- Making a basic game which allows the user to move around
- Doing hit tests
- Scoring
Simple troubleshooting
Examples of how to setup the controls

133794m3r · 05-15-2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bursh

Hey

I think it would be great if we could develop a guide to developing games for Zune. It would certainly help new developers get into it, which would increase the number of games we have to choose from. I for one would be willing to get this started once I get my problems with opening the project files fixed.

I think, at bare minimum, we should have:

Basics of making Zune games

Including:
- Making a basic game which allows the user to move around
- Doing hit tests
- Scoring
Simple troubleshooting
Examples of how to setup the controls

right there w/ you

SimReality · 05-15-2008, 06:10 PM

Do you know C#? If you don't, start there: http://www.csharp-station.com/Tutorial.aspx.

After that you might want to check out my Alien Aggressors tutorial (82 page PDF) which is using XNA 2.0 for the PC, but most of the code is similar: http://nick.gravelyn.com/2008/04/22/...s-tutorial-up/.

After that you could take a look at the Zune port of Alien Aggressors to find the changes made to work on Zune: http://nick.gravelyn.com/2008/05/07/...-zune-edition/.

Otherwise check out all the other XNA tutorials out there. They aren't specific to Zune, but about as long as it's 2D, you'll be able to use it on the Zune without much (if any) troubles.

SimReality · 05-15-2008, 06:12 PM

Also, keep in mind that most of what you are describing isn't as simple as "do this and now you have collisions". A lot of work goes into making these games (for a beginner), so even with a guide it won't be like using Flash where you can drag and drop stuff together. It's not impossible (obviously), but I want to make sure people know that this isn't as easy as some think. First and foremost you have to know C# to make the games. Then start on XNA. If you start off on XNA without learning C# first, you will likely get frustrated and quit. Do yourself the favor and learn C# first. I really can't stress that point enough.

Bursh · 05-16-2008, 02:44 AM

I know C#. Learnt the syntax last night.

Sorry if I wasn't very clear, I wasn't requesting a guide or help. I was suggesting that we could work on one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SimReality

Also, keep in mind that most of what you are describing isn't as simple as "do this and now you have collisions".

I know it's not as simple as this. We could provide code examples and a written version of the method to make it work.

I'll take a look at your tutorial\guide and read up more. I've still got more to learn before I start writing anything for the guide. Once I've got it mastered, I'll start writing on the basics.

By the way, I wasn't implying that the guide should give code snippets for really specific bits. I was thinking it should only explain the theories behind the concepts and methods.

NuklHed92 · 05-17-2008, 02:33 PM

i agree bursh. i really want to try to make a simple game, just to say i made it. then be able to make ones for the community. it would be cool if a program could be made to make it easier to make games for ppl that dont know how to do it.

Bursh · 05-17-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NuklHed92

it would be cool if a program could be made to make it easier to make games for ppl that dont know how to do it.

I'm afraid I don't agree. If a program like that was made, I believe it would devalue the hard work and effort everybody who makes them "by hand" puts in.

The Undead · 05-17-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bursh

I'm afraid I don't agree. If a program like that was made, I believe it would devalue the hard work and effort everybody who makes them "by hand" puts in.

I feel the same way, how ever this is how technology is in real life..

On another note if that was created I do beleive we would get a lot of crappy games

WiseGuyNL · 05-19-2008, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bursh

I'm afraid I don't agree. If a program like that was made, I believe it would devalue the hard work and effort everybody who makes them "by hand" puts in.

I'm a mapper and I agree. If a game has a really easy map-editor, a whole bunch of crap gets released..

However, there is nothing visual about Visual c#. It's just a fancy notepad. If it had a 2d view where you could acutally see your sprites, backgrounds and other classes, right-click 'em and set properties, position them etc. that would be a whole lote more fun. I was planning on trying to learn Visual c# to make some zune games, but I can't stand working just in code.

Bursh · 05-19-2008, 09:05 AM

Visual C# has visual aspects for other things, just not this.

jackluo923 · 06-19-2008, 12:02 PM

I would start by editing some code and practicing getting around in xna game studio and c sharp.

05-15-2008, 05:48 AM	#1 (permalink)
Bursh Squirt Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 18 Reputation: 10 $zB: 17 Donate	Guide to game development for Zune Hey I think it would be great if we could develop a guide to developing games for Zune. It would certainly help new developers get into it, which would increase the number of games we have to choose from. I for one would be willing to get this started once I get my problems with opening the project files fixed. I think, at bare minimum, we should have: Basics of making Zune games Including: Making a basic game which allows the user to move around Doing hit tests Scoring Simple troubleshooting Examples of how to setup the controls

05-15-2008, 06:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
SimReality Jr. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 334 Reputation: 49 $zB: 277 Donate	Do you know C#? If you don't, start there: http://www.csharp-station.com/Tutorial.aspx. After that you might want to check out my Alien Aggressors tutorial (82 page PDF) which is using XNA 2.0 for the PC, but most of the code is similar: http://nick.gravelyn.com/2008/04/22/...s-tutorial-up/. After that you could take a look at the Zune port of Alien Aggressors to find the changes made to work on Zune: http://nick.gravelyn.com/2008/05/07/...-zune-edition/. Otherwise check out all the other XNA tutorials out there. They aren't specific to Zune, but about as long as it's 2D, you'll be able to use it on the Zune without much (if any) troubles. __________________ Nick Gravelyn Microsoft MVP - DirectX/XNA To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-15-2008, 06:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
SimReality Jr. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 334 Reputation: 49 $zB: 277 Donate	Also, keep in mind that most of what you are describing isn't as simple as "do this and now you have collisions". A lot of work goes into making these games (for a beginner), so even with a guide it won't be like using Flash where you can drag and drop stuff together. It's not impossible (obviously), but I want to make sure people know that this isn't as easy as some think. First and foremost you have to know C# to make the games. Then start on XNA. If you start off on XNA without learning C# first, you will likely get frustrated and quit. Do yourself the favor and learn C# first. I really can't stress that point enough. __________________ Nick Gravelyn Microsoft MVP - DirectX/XNA To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

05-17-2008, 02:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
NuklHed92 Zuner Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 98 Reputation: 10 $zB: 68 Donate	i agree bursh. i really want to try to make a simple game, just to say i made it. then be able to make ones for the community. it would be cool if a program could be made to make it easier to make games for ppl that dont know how to do it. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. ya, my connection sucks, got a problem with it!? Last edited by NuklHed92 : 05-17-2008 at 02:36 PM. Reason: didnt see that a link was already posted

05-19-2008, 09:05 AM	#10 (permalink)
Bursh Squirt Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 18 Reputation: 10 $zB: 17 Donate	Visual C# has visual aspects for other things, just not this. __________________ ASP.NET in VB developer. Shoot me if you will. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Aspiring Zune developer.

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06-19-2008, 12:02 PM	#11 (permalink)
jackluo923 Support Team Senior Zuner Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Greater Vancouver BC Posts: 1,277 Reputation: 121 $zB: 729 Donate	I would start by editing some code and practicing getting around in xna game studio and c sharp. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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