It's been a while since my last post.
The reason: right now I'm struggling with the final stage of a project for a client which I must end in less than a month, so I don't have time left to write about anything. Otherwise, this is going to become a "60-day" month ... ;)
Just go an see this trailer at GameTrailers.com which uses DirectX's newest technology ...
Now, back to work!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Thursday, January 18, 2007
GCG'S NEW ARTICLE: MICRSOFT XNA PRIMER
The Game Career Guide has published an article about XNA which briefly explains what is all about with XNA.
Also, the article mentions some of the sites of the XNA community as well as includes interviews to Julien Ellie (Software Design Engineer - XNA Team), Joe Nalewabau (Project Manager Architect - XNA Team), Benjamin Nitschke (creator of 'Rocket Commander' and 'XNA Racer') and Alex Okafor (developer of 'WildBoarders', "a physics based 2D snowboarding game that recently won the first XNA development competition at xbox360homebrew.com").
Worth reading ...
Also, the article mentions some of the sites of the XNA community as well as includes interviews to Julien Ellie (Software Design Engineer - XNA Team), Joe Nalewabau (Project Manager Architect - XNA Team), Benjamin Nitschke (creator of 'Rocket Commander' and 'XNA Racer') and Alex Okafor (developer of 'WildBoarders', "a physics based 2D snowboarding game that recently won the first XNA development competition at xbox360homebrew.com").
Worth reading ...
SHARKY'S AIR LEGENDS BATTLES XNA COLLISION DETECTION ...
Sharky has published "XNA Collision Detection for 3D models - Part 1". The first article of a two part series where he tells from a "code warrior" experience the path he has being following so as to implement a precise yet robust collision detection system in his game: Air Legends.
This is an interesting read since it's a common problem developers face when dealing with collision as rotating AABB -in case you decide to go this way- could bring performance issues, possibly leading in the end to the use of other techniques like bounding spheres (i.e.: read the comments on this post).
I cannot wait for a new release of Air Legends (and the radar), one of the first games that were and are still in development using XNA ... and of course, fun to play too ... ;)
This is an interesting read since it's a common problem developers face when dealing with collision as rotating AABB -in case you decide to go this way- could bring performance issues, possibly leading in the end to the use of other techniques like bounding spheres (i.e.: read the comments on this post).
I cannot wait for a new release of Air Legends (and the radar), one of the first games that were and are still in development using XNA ... and of course, fun to play too ... ;)
ARTICLE: "GATES TAKES ON SONY AND NINTENDO"
GameIndustry.biz has published an article that summarizes Bill Gates' comments -interviewed by Dean Takahashi of the San Jose Mercury News, regarding how good the different strategies of the major console makers are doing so far, in his opinion of course.
As an indie, and from now on I will only refer to the 'game development' side of the story, I agree that the XBOX360 will do great since MS has decided to make the "development transition" easy for us: XNA.
I mean, the easier they make it for developers, the more developer's attention -and projects- they'll get, and ultimately, the more games will be created and released for their console.
If -in addition- "easy" includes "cheapper", the better.
Please do not misunderstand me, I'm not saying with this that console makers should make less restrictive the quality assurance policies and controls for commercial games. All I am saying is don't forget "indies", thus, help us produce for your consoles by providing better and affordable tools and frameworks, reducing the cost of game development (including time and effort as a "cost").
XNA GSE goes in that way, the right way imho ... ;)
As an indie, and from now on I will only refer to the 'game development' side of the story, I agree that the XBOX360 will do great since MS has decided to make the "development transition" easy for us: XNA.
I mean, the easier they make it for developers, the more developer's attention -and projects- they'll get, and ultimately, the more games will be created and released for their console.
If -in addition- "easy" includes "cheapper", the better.
Please do not misunderstand me, I'm not saying with this that console makers should make less restrictive the quality assurance policies and controls for commercial games. All I am saying is don't forget "indies", thus, help us produce for your consoles by providing better and affordable tools and frameworks, reducing the cost of game development (including time and effort as a "cost").
XNA GSE goes in that way, the right way imho ... ;)
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
ANIBOOM AWARDS 2006: FINALISTS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED!
At last! 25 animation pieces got into the finals -5 per category, and now they're facing the ultimate challenge: becoming the topmost ranked piece to get the biggest prize of all.
Remember! There's also a prize for each category's winner so you'd better start voting a.s.a.p.
Congrats to the ones who made it and good luck! ... yeah, right (my "crappy" entry didn't make it ... snif! ... snif!)
You all now my favorite: go Tadeo go! "Prime Time" is a very good one, too ... of course, mine was better than both ... or at least I wish ... :)
See ya ... ;)
Remember! There's also a prize for each category's winner so you'd better start voting a.s.a.p.
Congrats to the ones who made it and good luck! ... yeah, right (my "crappy" entry didn't make it ... snif! ... snif!)
You all now my favorite: go Tadeo go! "Prime Time" is a very good one, too ... of course, mine was better than both ... or at least I wish ... :)
See ya ... ;)
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
I'M BACK ...
Yes, it's true. Please don't cry: you knew I would continue to terrify you with my "regular" posts ... :)
My short holidays are now gone, so back to work, filtering email messages, daily worries, and, ... well, you all know ... :(
Anyway, it was good while it lasted ... ;)
What has been going on in the XNA world? A LOT! At least, according to XNAtutorial's Weekly Update: new sites, new source codes and new tutorials. The list is impressive.
In other news: Shawn Hargreaves' has yesterday announced that a new blog from another XNA-Team member has kicked off, Dean (Johnson)'s XNA Blog, with an opening article that discusses the math to rotate 3D objects (a great way to start, IMHO).
Also, I must tell you that the week before I started my holidays I was checking a couple of sites with tutorials worth following:
Any news regarding the "Dream, Build, Play" contest? I have checked the site but there's no additional info yet about the exact starting date of the contest, deadlines, prizes, rules, etc.
My short holidays are now gone, so back to work, filtering email messages, daily worries, and, ... well, you all know ... :(
Anyway, it was good while it lasted ... ;)
What has been going on in the XNA world? A LOT! At least, according to XNAtutorial's Weekly Update: new sites, new source codes and new tutorials. The list is impressive.
In other news: Shawn Hargreaves' has yesterday announced that a new blog from another XNA-Team member has kicked off, Dean (Johnson)'s XNA Blog, with an opening article that discusses the math to rotate 3D objects (a great way to start, IMHO).
Also, I must tell you that the week before I started my holidays I was checking a couple of sites with tutorials worth following:
- The Ramblings of a Hazy Mind: you'll find quite handy articles about 3D, scene management and XNA -not only for starters. Michael's has posted his 11th tutorial for a Complete Octree Functionality in XNA, and
- Riemer's XNA Tutorial: great series of articles from the grounds up now mainly related to XNA; you will still find the old ones for C# and Managed DirectX (as well as for C++, and VB). Also, pay a visit to Riemer's forum for news, corrections, suggestions, questions and general topics.
Any news regarding the "Dream, Build, Play" contest? I have checked the site but there's no additional info yet about the exact starting date of the contest, deadlines, prizes, rules, etc.
Well, that's pretty much it, don't you think? A lot to check & read, so I better start a.s.a.p.
'till next time!
[BTW, thanks Lawrence (a.k.a. 'Sharky') for your support to my blog ... ;) ]
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
I WILL BE OUT FOR A WEEK ...
Yes, don't be sad. I'm taking a week off.
Having worked on a project so hard lately (not related to videogames) that I need to some holidays.
See ya in a week. Don't miss me!
Having worked on a project so hard lately (not related to videogames) that I need to some holidays.
See ya in a week. Don't miss me!
Friday, January 05, 2007
FREE SOFTWARE GIVEAWAY TO UK DEVELOPERS?!!!
If you were amazed by my previous post, just read on ...
Ian Moulster has posted in his newest blog entry that they " ... are giving away 1000 free copies of Windows Vista and Office 2007 to UK developers ...".
In order to be elegible to recieve one and or the other product, you will need to register on Friday 19th for the software giveaway (details to be announce later on Ian's site, I guess), and then answer one question related to the selected product's track and then, if you are on the first 1000 people that answer it right you get your free copy.
If you live outside the UK, just hold your horses and continue reading Ian's entry since there's a catch: " ... you need to have a UK address ..." in order to receive the product.
Isn't Life fair sometimes? I don't know about you, but I'm moving to the UK just right now ...
Well, maybe next time ... but I'd really loved not to be excluded a priori from this kind of giveaways sometime ... ;)
WHERE'S MY FREE ACER FERRARI LAPTOP?!!!
According to this CRN's article (among other posts you may find in the WWW), Microsoft and AMD have been giving away "... top-of-the-line Acer Ferrari laptops to select tech bloggers ...".
Incredible, isn't it? Just wait a second ...
Then the article adds: "... raising questions in the blogosphere over whether the companies are trying to unduly influence the writers ...".
Following the wave of raising questions in the blogosphere I find my-self in the need to ask: where is my free laptop? ... Ok, or at least a T-shirt? A cup? A discount coupon to buy food at any local supermarket?
Just tell me who I must contact to inform my address and zip-code details in order to receive the laptop a.s.a.p. ... ;)
Incredible, isn't it? Just wait a second ...
Then the article adds: "... raising questions in the blogosphere over whether the companies are trying to unduly influence the writers ...".
Following the wave of raising questions in the blogosphere I find my-self in the need to ask: where is my free laptop? ... Ok, or at least a T-shirt? A cup? A discount coupon to buy food at any local supermarket?
Just tell me who I must contact to inform my address and zip-code details in order to receive the laptop a.s.a.p. ... ;)
INFINITY: A SPACE-BASED MMOG
What an excellent way to publish my first post of this new year 2007 by talking about this amazing game that is being created: "Infinity". The guys behind this new production have posted great videos and images that really do a great job of showing off what the game is about.
Also, the "Journal of Ysaneya" is very interesting to follow -for us, developers- since it comments on the status of the game, the coding challenges they face to fix bugs, improve the gameplay, implement new features, etc.
Pay a visit to Infity's site, read the journal and don't forget to download the combat prototype and join the battle between the read & blue teams.
Cheers!
Also, the "Journal of Ysaneya" is very interesting to follow -for us, developers- since it comments on the status of the game, the coding challenges they face to fix bugs, improve the gameplay, implement new features, etc.
Pay a visit to Infity's site, read the journal and don't forget to download the combat prototype and join the battle between the read & blue teams.
Cheers!
Friday, December 29, 2006
HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007 ...
Well, the same as last week: I won't be publishing any new posts till next Thuesday so I just want to wish you all have a Happy New Year 2007 !!!
See you next 2007 ... ;)
See you next 2007 ... ;)
PROBLEMS WITH FULLSCREEN MODE IN XNA?
Some members of the XNA community (including me) have experienced problems with XNA games when running on fullscreen mode -in particular, I have a GeForce 6600 GT card.
The problem: when a XNA game tries to get/set the presentation parameters for accepted fullscreen modes, it takes the list of rates accepted by the gfx card and in some cases uses the higher one -for instance, like 240 Hz on 800x600. Phewww! So you will see nothing more than a black screen and your monitor trying to warn you that something is attempting to set an invalid refresh rate.
The workaround: if the user forgot to (or cannot) forbid any rate above the maximum accepted vertical retrace on the gfx card, just catch the "PreparingDeviceSettings" event and then set a common rate like 60 or 72 Hz. How? In the class that derives from "Microsoft.Xna.Framework.Game" class, add the following line (say, within the constructor):
Then add the following method in the same class:
I've modified the code of games like Rocket Commander and Wildboarders and it all works great!
Let's hope Sharky modifies Air Legends soon so that I can finally play the game.
Enjoy!
The problem: when a XNA game tries to get/set the presentation parameters for accepted fullscreen modes, it takes the list of rates accepted by the gfx card and in some cases uses the higher one -for instance, like 240 Hz on 800x600. Phewww! So you will see nothing more than a black screen and your monitor trying to warn you that something is attempting to set an invalid refresh rate.
The workaround: if the user forgot to (or cannot) forbid any rate above the maximum accepted vertical retrace on the gfx card, just catch the "PreparingDeviceSettings" event and then set a common rate like 60 or 72 Hz. How? In the class that derives from "Microsoft.Xna.Framework.Game" class, add the following line (say, within the constructor):
graphics.PreparingDeviceSettings += new EventHandler<PreparingDeviceSettingsEventArgs>(MyMethod); // "graphics" is a reference previously instanced as "GraphicsDeviceManager(this)" usually in the same constructor
Then add the following method in the same class:
private void MyMethod (object sender, PreparingDeviceSettingsEventArgs args)
{
args.GraphicsDeviceInformation.PresentationParameters.FullScreenRefreshRateInHz = 60; // for instance, or 70, 72, 75, etc.
}
{
args.GraphicsDeviceInformation.PresentationParameters.FullScreenRefreshRateInHz = 60; // for instance, or 70, 72, 75, etc.
}
I've modified the code of games like Rocket Commander and Wildboarders and it all works great!
Let's hope Sharky modifies Air Legends soon so that I can finally play the game.
Enjoy!
XNA: COUPLE OF NEW FRAMEWORKS
I was wondering lately what had happened with Visual3D.Net's CTP -due to be released this month, so I directed my browser ro V3D's forums so as to get some answers -which I did not, but for my surprise someone posted a couple of links to new XNA-targeted frameworks: "3D Evolution" and "XNA Magic".
To be honest, I didn't have time to browse 3D Evolution's site as much as I did for XNA Magic's one -I promise I will sometime soon, so I will talk about the latter in this post.
XNA Magic looks pretty cool. It reminds me of "Unity" (for MAC). The demo videos do a great job on showing off what this framework has to offer.
So, pay a visit to both frameworks' site and compare them while we still wait for V3D's CTP (c'mon guys, hurry up!).
More later.
To be honest, I didn't have time to browse 3D Evolution's site as much as I did for XNA Magic's one -I promise I will sometime soon, so I will talk about the latter in this post.
XNA Magic looks pretty cool. It reminds me of "Unity" (for MAC). The demo videos do a great job on showing off what this framework has to offer.
So, pay a visit to both frameworks' site and compare them while we still wait for V3D's CTP (c'mon guys, hurry up!).
More later.
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER (TRAILER)
Wow, this trailer is worth watching ...
For those of us who loved the first movie will love this sequel for sure.
Enjoy!
For those of us who loved the first movie will love this sequel for sure.
Enjoy!
Saturday, December 23, 2006
MERRY CHRISTMAS ...
Well, I won't be publishing any new posts till next Thuesday so I just want to wish you all a Merry Christmas !!!
Let's hope Santa brings peace and prosperity to those in the world who need them ...
Let's hope Santa brings peace and prosperity to those in the world who need them ...
XNA - PART 2 VIDEO
You wanted it, you've got it!
The second part of this series is showing in detail not only some of the games we are all already aware of, but new ones that you -like me- may have never heared of until now.
XNA GSE v1 is just the beginning ...
The second part of this series is showing in detail not only some of the games we are all already aware of, but new ones that you -like me- may have never heared of until now.
XNA GSE v1 is just the beginning ...
NVIDIA GEFORCE 8800 LAUNCH EVENT VIDEO
Published on GameTrailers.com, the video shows a few but still impressive images of what the new card has to offer to gamers and why not, developers.
If the computer-hardware industry continues to grow like this, and users eventually buy this powerhouses, techinques like static lightmapping may become an antique.
Coming next: XNA - Part 2 ...
If the computer-hardware industry continues to grow like this, and users eventually buy this powerhouses, techinques like static lightmapping may become an antique.
Coming next: XNA - Part 2 ...
Thursday, December 21, 2006
RECOVERING VISUAL C# EXPRESS' PROJECT TEMPLATES
After installing XNA GSE v1 I happened to find that the project templates that come by default with the express version of VS C# - that is, Windows Application, Class Library, Console Application, etc. - had vanished from the IDE's templates browser ... :(
My first desperate move was uninstalling and reinstalling the whole thing (of course, after a very laoud scream of terror), but before jumping to a pool where maybe there was no water at all, I though (and look how clever I am): "Weeelllll! Maybe it's time to watch some TV ...", but adding almost instantly: "... but first let's do some search on MS's forums so as to get some answers, put the blame on someone else and common daily things like that ...".
For my surprise I found not one but two threads related to a similar issue which gave me a relevant hint on the workaround. And as we are approaching Christams Eve I'm going to share with all of you ...
The solution is simple, just execute the following line -either through the command shell (cmd.exe) or browsing your windows explorer to "start > run":
Of course you'll have replace "%vs80comntools%\..\..\common7\ide\vcsexpress.exe" with the correct path to "vcexpress.exe" in your local machine.
Although it all should work, it may occur a catch: the templates might still be missing according to the IDE's templates browser (this happened in my case, meaning, another scary scream). No sweat! If you open the folder where "vcexpress.exe" is located you will also find a folder named "VCSExpress", right?
If you don't, contact your local administrator, who will recommend you to (un/re)install everything.
If you did, open "ProjectTemplates" folder and then "1033" folder so as to find at least 4 zip files (usually 6) containing the missing templates. Copy these zip files to "ProjectTemplates", run again the above-mentioned command line and voilá! The IDE now recognizes all of the installed project templates.
It seems that XNA GSE installation process changes the "cache" file located in a folder named "ProjectTemplatesCache" in a way that all of the project templates installed within the "ProjectTemplatesCache\1033" folder are disregarded.
Thus, after applying the workaround commented in this article you will find the recovered templates duplicated in the "ProjectTemplatesCache" folder (that is, 6 inside and 6 outside the "1033" folder) until a MS's team fixes future installers of upcoming XNA GSE versions ... ;)
See ya!
My first desperate move was uninstalling and reinstalling the whole thing (of course, after a very laoud scream of terror), but before jumping to a pool where maybe there was no water at all, I though (and look how clever I am): "Weeelllll! Maybe it's time to watch some TV ...", but adding almost instantly: "... but first let's do some search on MS's forums so as to get some answers, put the blame on someone else and common daily things like that ...".
For my surprise I found not one but two threads related to a similar issue which gave me a relevant hint on the workaround. And as we are approaching Christams Eve I'm going to share with all of you ...
The solution is simple, just execute the following line -either through the command shell (cmd.exe) or browsing your windows explorer to "start > run":
"%vs80comntools%\..\..\common7\ide\vcsexpress.exe" /installvstemplates
Of course you'll have replace "%vs80comntools%\..\..\common7\ide\vcsexpress.exe" with the correct path to "vcexpress.exe" in your local machine.
Although it all should work, it may occur a catch: the templates might still be missing according to the IDE's templates browser (this happened in my case, meaning, another scary scream). No sweat! If you open the folder where "vcexpress.exe" is located you will also find a folder named "VCSExpress", right?
If you don't, contact your local administrator, who will recommend you to (un/re)install everything.
If you did, open "ProjectTemplates" folder and then "1033" folder so as to find at least 4 zip files (usually 6) containing the missing templates. Copy these zip files to "ProjectTemplates", run again the above-mentioned command line and voilá! The IDE now recognizes all of the installed project templates.
It seems that XNA GSE installation process changes the "cache" file located in a folder named "ProjectTemplatesCache" in a way that all of the project templates installed within the "ProjectTemplatesCache\1033" folder are disregarded.
Thus, after applying the workaround commented in this article you will find the recovered templates duplicated in the "ProjectTemplatesCache" folder (that is, 6 inside and 6 outside the "1033" folder) until a MS's team fixes future installers of upcoming XNA GSE versions ... ;)
See ya!
XNA GSE: UK LAUNCH
On10.Net has published a video covering the UK Launch of XNA Games Studio Express which includes an interview to Chris Satchell as well as some scenes of high-quality games that show off the power of the framework.
Stay tuned ...
Stay tuned ...
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
XNA: MORE VIDEOS
Channel 9 has published "The Best XNA Movie in the UNIVERSE" ... or at least they claim they have ... ;)
... well, anyway, the video covers the official XNA launch event, so you'll find interesting interviews with the guys we can thank for bringing to life this baby named "XNA GSE" as well as some community members that attended the meeting.
On GameTrailers.com you'll also find a video new covering XNA GSE -in line with previous videos available on this regard at GT's site- with more interesting interviews: XNA - Part 1. This video can be also found on YouTube with some other XNA-related videos.
Watch this space ...
... well, anyway, the video covers the official XNA launch event, so you'll find interesting interviews with the guys we can thank for bringing to life this baby named "XNA GSE" as well as some community members that attended the meeting.
On GameTrailers.com you'll also find a video new covering XNA GSE -in line with previous videos available on this regard at GT's site- with more interesting interviews: XNA - Part 1. This video can be also found on YouTube with some other XNA-related videos.
Watch this space ...
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