SWEATing...Day Final

This is the final day!

Some Notes: Final touch-ups

• game info
• global settings
• speed considerations

All we did: finish up on games and add some game info and splash screens etc.

Later on, we'll having an open house to showcase our work.
At the open house: FOOD! (That's what they were saying...)

That ends my 2-week extended Spring Break, and the SWEAT 2009 opportunity was neat, too bad I wasn't able to make a legit game to play. GM was a nice start to programming and was glad to have taken SWEAT 2009. I look forward to doing more programming soon...

Brett's game is hilarious (sound effects!!!)~!!

I'm off now...it's 2:40 pm and I guess we're leaving soon to set-up for the open house.

SWEATing...Day 3

Programming Notes:

• timing and timelines
• paths
• data structures-lists, files
• multiplayer-message loop
• AI-deterministic (AI will do the same thing in the same situation)
• -tracking and evasion (pathfinding)
• -detection, distance
• non-deterministic (options for AI)

GM is actually nice to use-I was skeptical of it, but I like it. Even though I'm raw in programming, this is a nice start, as it aids you in recognizing some of the universal programming aspects like loops. You can drag buttons (like if...else, block start, end etc.) and plot them in order.

My game so far is plain, but it's playable, so I'm quite content w/ my work.

So far, I'm starting to get the hang of it, but the parts involving variables and putting in time lines are still a mystery to me...

Update: A roller-bladder sped faster than the speed of light, and slammed against a half-opened door of a parked car that was adjacent to a window of the bus that I was on, facing. The roller-bladder was motionless for a while until put onto a stretcher. She seems to be fine, she could move limbs and talk...

SWEATing...Day 2

Boy, I'm lost in today's notes (no pre-programming bank in my CPU), but I've typed it here for future reference. The key concepts are game loop and variables.

Programming Notes

• game loop
• loops for (i=0; i<10;>
• steps=unit of time
  
• basics (game maker help ref.-->actions-->control actions)
• variables-common types (bool, int, flout, text (string), date/time)
• set, test, ?? draw
• help-->using expressions and variables (**need this for game)
• expressions: calculation/can be rep by boolean (sp?) value
• "If" state'mt-->"If-else-" blocks
• e.g. collisions, whether an obj. is empty, chance (ie. _ in this _ chance of this happening, multiplied by framerate-->60X)
• If block:
  

Actions
If ( )
Block Begin
:
:
Block End
Else
Block

• looping:

Repeat (value or variable name)

• scripting: advanced GML
• f(x)'s and parameters
• prgm:
  
• use { and }
• state'mts inside: (statement); <-----semicolon imp!
• e.g. ammo-= 1;
  
• &&
• <>
• ==
• +-
• ||
• x/
• ! (convent'n for 'not')
• global.player1.name
• alarms are global
• individual vs. global
  
• var
  
• e.g. globalvar_
• repeat ( ), while ( ) <-------no end
• do...until ( )
• for using if, else, if, else--->there's a switch...
• switch (keyboard_key) {case vk_left :::break; case vk_right}
• break--->for breaking!!! stops reading remaining sequence of code
  
• continue: inside a loop, skips remaining part and goes to next???
• exit; --->jumps out of script entirely

• f(x)'s--->collision_point (x, y, obj, prec, not me)

The above is all the notes I've taken today and is not a full rep of today's notes since I was befuddled. Today was essentially a work day with some intro notes on programming and scripting to get us going. My game is going okay so far as I have the visual aspects near to completion (though arcade-like which is fine with 2D games) but now I need to start with the real scripting component-which I haven't done any in my life since...(drum rolls!) SuperCard!!! (All hail SuperCard...)

We had our final game idea evaluated by others this morning.

Evaluator Comments:

• good mix of events happening
• beach balls makes it a bit odd, try to stick w/ the hockey theme (on a side note, go to Youtube plus his trade to LA=beach ballz)
  
• overall, game sounds fun/interesting
• 2 seperate game mechanics but might want to make them more similar you you can use same code w/ diff. graphics to save time
• in interest of time, focus on hockey aspect first and if time permits, add the driving

I'll gladly add the driving part if I can; Luongo is God-which reminds me, the Canucks need a win tonight against the Stars to stay close to the Flames, as they beat Detroit yesterday =(

For some parts of lunch, a few of us played L4D via streaming. It looked fun...(do all zombies come from pre-existing humans infected w/ a type of virus?)

Anyway, today was a simple day: work on game, and some notes on scripting.
Can't wait for tomorrow as we tackle on implementing the AI in our games...fun.......artificial intelligence...
I'll try to see if I can install GM on my PC at home to save time since it seems like every else have quite a bit of knowledge on this already.

Btw, Brett's PC had some graphical challenges this morning at startup and opted to go on beeping non-stop. No, he didn't bastardize the PC but simply went to another one. The PCs used XP.

Btw2, Liam was noticeably absent at lunch again, but Joel states that he's in another building. So all is well...my lunch was once again corned beef sandwich yum!

SWEATing...Day 1

Here I am, typing up this post during our brainstorming session of game ideas. Some of our game ideas are (for 2D, sprite-based games) "Try saving your work in Photoshop in IT", "Try loading Photoshop in IT", "Help Shane O'Brien prevent an own goal", "Where in the world is Liam Clarke?***", "Rolllll up the Rimmmm to Winnnnnnnnnnnnn!", "Justify a Mac", "Beat the @)$%^(&!@) out of Vista/Mac", and "File your tax". In total, (Brett) and I had 49 ideas (of which so far is the highest in our class ~!!! woot) Update: We got the best idea: "Drive thru Richmond" on a class vote.

My day started w/ me waking up at 6 am for breakfast and got ready for the bus by 6:45 am. The 492 came w/in 5 mins (unfortunately, it wasn't the comfy high-end yellow buses with AC). Got to W King Edward @ Oak St. and took the 25 Brentwood Stn. all the way to Canada Way @ Willingdon Av. (saw BCIT and EA Canada along the way-EA seems big!)

Got to the Art Institute-Vancouver eventually and saw Brett down on his iPod Touch, and later on, Liam and Joel.

We registered, got sent to our classrooms and started talking about programming in general, and introduced ourselves. We had an overview of our time at AiV for the next 3 days. The focus of our Game Production class would be to make a 2D game using Game Maker. It isn't exactly programming, but we do get a lesson (or two) on how to make interesting games. We might be doing scripting though.

At around 12:19 pm, we went for an "orientation" (saw some other McMath ppl, namely KG and DP) where AiV reps talked about applying at this school for next year, and AiV alumni services that are available.

Lunch break came, and I had a sandwich (nothing spectacular). Brett was awfully hungry this day, whilst Joel was as quiet as a sloth, munching on his very own sandwich gracefully...but this leaves one question in mind: "Where in the world is Liam Clarke???"

After lunch, we got back to our classroom and resumed our lesson. We went onto what makes a game great and started on brainstorming game ideas (see Brett's blog for our full list).

At this point, we need to finalize our individual game ideas and expand.
To make it easy on myself, I'll do my planning right here:

• the date is set back to early 21 C. Have Cloutier drive a Citroen Ami to GM Place for a very important hockey game, Game 3 of the playoffs for the Canucks.
• manoeuvre the car so Cloutier can make it on time for the game
• Help Cloutier stop numerous 'pucks' including beach balls to stay alive since in the series!
• after making a certain number of saves w/out allowing more than the alloted number of goals, Cloutier moves on to the Finals!!! (Who would've known this was possible?)
• Cloutier was awarded a Lamborghini from Luongo (an Italian God) for his stellar work
• use the car to manoeuvre thru the streets of New York (most Italians are found here in the US) to evade street trash and the NHL gang that try to prevent any Canadian team from winning the Cup (the award one)
• help Cloutier reach Madison Square Garden w/out harm
• once again, help him defend his goal from beach balls!
• CONGRATZ!!! Ze Ztanley Cup!
• as you progress, items aimed at your net will become harder to defend against (e.g. diff angles, more precision, more items per given time etc.)

The game idea might be separated into two parts (the game and driving part) for time's sake. I'll see how it goes. I'll start with the game part...or the driving part...or neither.

Nvidia wants to re-define a netbook

Once again, I would mention that current netbooks only have the capability to allow users to surf on 'light' websites, check emails, and do word processing and spreadsheets. Microsoft's GM Mike Ybara stated that a netbook is simply a small notebook and that people expect it to perform like one. Some do not agree with that, but a GPU maker is wanting in on changing the definition of today's netbooks. Nvidia says that netbooks do not have the necessary power for video encoding, watching HD movies, and other entertainment means. One of the more important aspect of Nvidia's new product is its small size that would not compromise performance.

Introducing the Ion, Nvidia would combine an Intel Atom CPU with a 9400M GPU and together would be known as the Ion platform. According to PC Pro, an ion in physics is a charged atom. This would makes sense as the Intel Atom would be charged to become an Ion platform with the addition of the 9400M GPU. It has been said that power consumption would not be hugely hampered and the price would only be increased by $50-100 per unit.

With the GPU, a netbook would perform 10x faster, be able to deal with HD content, present content with a high resolution of 2560 x 1600, and be able to handle DirectX10.

Whether it would really power-up netbooks and whether consumers would go for a charged Atom, it is certain that Nvidia is putting a foot forth in changing the netbook landscape. The bigger question however now is would Intel follow suit with this project. Currently, Intel really dislike Nvidia's attitude toward the netbook. Intel strictly believes that netbooks are not designed to be used for gaming, intense video encoding, and live streaming, but are used for simple tasks that utilize the web. Only a few manufacturers like Lenovo has mentioned publicly that they would make future products with the 9400M GPU.

Only time will tell the fate of the Ion platform.

Sony dumps Microsoft for another in P-series

Microsoft's partnership with Sony might be seriously hampered by Sony's action to use their own Micorsoft Windows Vista rather than the major corporation's branded Vista. Whether we expect an announcement or not this might be an indication of Sony's departure from Microsoft. It remains to be seen if it's a spelling error on part of the webmaster. The screen-shot was taken today at around 13:45 PST

Glimpse of the CES

Netbooks made their second appearance at the CES this past January in Las Vegas with more variety in products than a year ago. Here's a snapshot: Sony presented their flagship P-series, and HP improved on their Mini-series with the Mini 2140. Intel, the main chip-maker supporter, also showcased their Atom processor.


HP Mini 2140

This model is similar to the Mini 100 except the casing has been replaced with aluminum metal to improve on its sturdiness. Added to that, the Mini 2140 has a 92% full keyboard with a 10.1'' screen with the Intel Atom. The mouse pad is the same as previous HP netbooks as the buttons are placed at the side rather than at the bottom to save space. The big keyboard allows those with jumbo fingers to type comfortably and the glossy, big, scratch-resistent screen is a nice plus. By using Intel's Atom, the netbook can last for 8 hours on a single charge (6-cell battery) due to the Atom's energy-saving features.

Sony P-Series
Sony rolls out their first netbook line, though they did not use that term. The 'lifestyle laptop', which Sony calls, comes equipped with Windows Vista which is quite astonishing since most, if not all, netbooks run on either Linux or Windows XP. As the P suggest, the Pocket series is small enough to fit into a pocket probably the size of the back pockets of someone's jeans or a jacket. Although it has an 8'' screen, the resolution (1600 x 768) and crispness of the visual aspects of it are remarkable. However, when using the netbook, it can be difficult to get used to the track-point. Overall, it's a good netbook but at the price Sony is retailing for, consumers might be hesitant: starting at $900, consumers can also add more features but the price will also increase greatly.

Intel
Intel had the Atom in mind at the CES. Many were able to see the amazingly petite size of the Atom (about the size of a penny). With the small size, Intel focused mostly on its role in mobile devices.

In future posts, I would personally be going in to shop around for some netbooks and put my own reviews of these products.