1CSE 125Spring 2005Lecture 2Tips, Tools, and TricksWhere do we start?Our Related ExperiencesKaren Graphics OpenGL Math-Computer Science Major 4thyear Games Addicted to WoW and video games Took CSE125 last Spring http://pisa.ucsd.edu/cse125/2004/cse125g2/Allen Graphics OpenGL Programming “I like programming” Computer Science Major Graduated Winter 05 Games Addicted to WoW and video games Took CSE125 last Spring2Some Philosophy Get to know your group Know your strengths and weaknesses Be adventurous EAT!!! (a lot) Settings your goals Make a list of everything you want in the game Priority this list and work from there Work from the bottom up, starting with most basic Start small to get a jump start Make sure basics are working before building on top of them CVS!!! MUST USE IT, else you will REGRET IT. TortoiseCVS / WinCVS – easy gui for CVS Don’t worry about AI unless you have time Make a FUN GAME – keep it simple for the demo Game should not revolve around special featuresI. General Info Use the language you’re most comfortable with C/C++/C#/Java/Visual Basic… Programming help C/C++/Java Object-oriented code Organization, well-documented Decide on interfaces early, keep it simple Libraries DirectX Collection of libraries that deal with components of the game DirectInput, DirectSound, etc. STL May want to use if using C++ Java Many libraries available3II. Graphics Direct 3D Microsoft 3D graphics library We might be able to help with this OpenGL Another popular graphics library We can help with this If you use Java, lots of 3D bindings available (LWJGL –Access OpenGL, OpenAL, very familiar style) Use vertex buffers (vertex arrays) for speed Create/find a particle systemDirect3D vs OpenGL Which to choose? Both support most functions OpenGL through extensions, DirectX more natively OpenGL Can be faster if you know what you are doing You are probably more familiar with it Somewhat harder to do the latest tricks (e.g. shaders) GLEW extension loading library – handles extensions DirectX Graphics Looks a lot like OpenGL now Probably new to most of you Cryptic structure and function names4Direct3D vs OpenGL (2) OpenGL can be used in place of DirectX Graphics Can still use DirectSound, DirectInput, DirectPlay Use what you're comfortable with Learning a new API has a huge learning curve From previous years Historically, groups using OpenGL had a much easier time than those using DirectX Graphics Both can make pretty graphicsIII. Sound DirectSound OpenAL – similar architecture to OpenGL Used in KK Easy to use SDL – Simple Directmedia Layer Easy to use FMOD Supposedly very easy to usePick whichever you want – do a little researchThey all have lots of example code5IV. Input DirectInput Library for managing input devices Keyboard/mouse/joystick/etc. SDL Can also manage input If all you want is keyboard and mouse... You can just use Win32 events instead of DirectInput WM_MOUSEMOVE, WM_KEYDOWN DirectInput can have strange problems on a crash, but needed if you want to support joysticks/gamepads Lab will have Logitech gamepads (similar to PS2’s)V. Networking DirectPlay (Deprecated now) DirectX communication library Interface to host/join games, send/receive messages Can use UDP, IPX, etc for actual transport Your game doesn’t care (except for performance) Lobbies / Server Finders Meeting area for player to chat/form games Might just be automatic (EnumHosts + GUID) Client/Server Model Server holds global game state, receives input from clients Clients animate graphical objects as dictated by the server P2P is possible, but more error prone Some teams swore that WinSock was easier Less setup code, but no freebies (guaranteed delivery, multicast) Libraries http://www.opentnl.org (some advanced features)6VI. Game Engines & Tools Engines Better end results May not learn as much as implementing yourself Graphics OGRE, Irrlicht, CrystalSpace, many others Abstracts many low level details Many advanced features included (effects, scene graph handling, etc) Learning curve, waste if you spend time learning and end up not using Math Probably want to use pre written Vector, Matrix, Solver classes. You want this code to be solid.VII. Physics Can make a game more interesting May (half-life) or may not (mario) need it May be easy to fake Rigid body physics (if you want this working well, should probably use a pre-built engine, harder to write on your own) Libraries ODE, Newton, Tokomak, etc Again, learning curve Can get nice behavior for free Very hard to get similar results if you write your own But you may want ‘faker’ physics anyway7VIII. Art & Models Do not have to make your own models Use the web, lots of free models to choose from Or if you’re up for the challenge… 3D Studio MAX high learning curve, if you already know it, then great otherwise, may not have time Milkshape3D low learning curve, freeware, easy to use, but buggy, limited features, frustrating at times Used in KK Blender3D not so good interface, also free Textures Photoshop Photos Web Animation & Model Loading Find loaders on the web, or write your own…? Know which formats you’re working with and stick with them (.3ds, .md, etc.) Converters (3ds -> md, etc.; Deep Exploration)Resources The web is your friend Look at previous class projects Games-oriented sites www.flipcode.com – code, articles www.gamedev.net – code articles nehe.gamedev.net – tutorials, sample code www.gametutorials.com – tutorials, sample code www.gamasutra.com – game design and industry articles www.penny-arcade.com – the gamer webcomic Graphics/Math sites www.opengl.org – news, message boards www.realtimerendering.com/int/ – collision detection routines http://www.geometrictools.com – lots of classes for math and 3D done well8More Resources http://www.libsdl.org/index.php - sdl http://www.google.com -friend Books are a good help sometimes, ask and we may have someImplementation Tips Programming OO important – keep code