Project 2 : 2D Game for a mobile device

• All due at 2pm, posted to the Wiki, unless otherwise noted
  Due Wed, April 12th: Concept sketches/rules/game design
  Due Mon, April 17th: Mock-up of interface: (non-functional), should show that you have some code running, drawing with basic primitives.
  Due Mon, April 24th: Final artwork + partially functional,should have code running with sprites, etc.; all of functions don't have to work fully
  Due Wed, April 26th: Demo/playable (for critiques): Documentation/ Executables/Instruction s how to install and run, etc due by start of class on the Wiki (DUE: 11:59pm)
  Due Fri, April 28th: Evaluate 2 classmates's games due to the wiki (DUE 11:59pm); No late hours allowed
  Due Mon, May 1rst: Final 2D game for in class presentation; be ready to discuss your reactions to your critiques (DUE: 1 hour before class)
  

What to do

• Functionality: scoring, multiple lives for the player, ability to play mulitple games
• Non-trivial game: should have multiple object interaction including good or realistic physics, collision dection, sound, multiplayer (optional), artwork, appropriate playing area, AI
• Design: Game play (fun, not too hard, not too easy), Look good, "feel" good (control); resolution/device appropriate
• Documentation: Concept and implementation; Design documents and Manual (within game is best)

What we're looking for

Requirements:

• Design and Development Wiki page (journal)
• Original Art
• 2-D or 2.5-D (2D +? transparency +? z-depth)
• scoring
• easy-to-learn, simple controls
• moving objects on screen
• single-screen or simple scrolling
• infinite play vs multiple lives
• sprites
• background
• Either: AI or Collision
• Documention/Manual

Optional:

• Sound
• Networked

Platform

• Primary platform: Windows Visual Studio and Windows Mobile SDK
• Alternatives:
  • OpenGL ES 2.0
  • OpenGL Starter code
  • Loading tifs for OpenGL Starter code

Links

• Graphics Gems
• Color Brewer
• Introduction to DirectX drawing primitives (click on the pdf to see the document without ads)
• The Microsoft DrawPrimitive API
• More DirectX Drawing Tutorials (Use the side bar, and go through all 6 tutorials)
• Loading a Bitmap on a Surface
• More examples and such on DirectX, but the links are old and images are missing:
• DirectX Faq
• Tutorials on Direct X

More details & Resources

For most of you, Visual Studio 2005 is the way to go.  It offers support for Windows Mobile 5.0.  Windows Mobile 5.0 devices (Version and Sprint have Windows Mobile Phones) and Windows Mobile 5.0 provided emulators support a subset of DirectX 9.0.  Currently the released support is for C++


There are three ways to basically to game development for PPC and
Smartphone.  If you choose not to use the MS way, let Amy/Bruce know (how, why, etc.)

Where to start

1. Learn about Windows Mobile for Devices
   
   Windows Mobile 5.0 combines Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 and the .NET Compact Framework version 2.0 with libraries specifically designed for porting and creating applications to mobile devices

   DirectDraw
   For applications needing to directly manipulate display memory, provide high-speed two-dimensional graphics, or incorporate digital video, Windows Mobile 5.0 provides the DirectDraw API. By providing a common abstraction over the device display hardware, DirectDraw provides application developers with the ability to directly manipulate device display hardware in a device-independent way.

   Direct3D Mobile
   By using Direct3D Mobile, developers can take advantage of their existing desktop computer Direct3D skills and code to produce rich three-dimensional gaming environments for Windows Mobile devices. Direct3D Mobile takes full advantage of graphics hardware support and enables the development of high-performance three-dimensional rendering on mobile devices.

2. Read about Graphics: Graphics with DirectX in Windows Mobile 5.0 Games
3. Here is an example using Direct3D.. note, we don't want a 3D game.. just 2d, but it has sample code for drawing, etc:
4. Follow-up by looking for DirectDraw code examples
5. more sample start up code for a smart phone app

More resources, coding libraries, links to source, etc.




------------  PREFERRED ROUTE:  ----------------------------------
   DirectX on Windows Mobile 5.0 - Our Microsoft go-to-guy said he would go this route.


Start here - > What's New for Developers in Windows Mobile 5.0 -

  http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnppcgen/html/whatsnew_wm5.asp? frame=true

Read this next -> Graphics with DirectX in Windows Mobile 5.0 Games -
  http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dnppcgen/html/Graphics_DirectX_WM5_Games.asp?frame=true


------------  ANOTHER ROUTE: Compact framework ----------------------------------
Compact framework (managed code - C#) - If you went this route it was suggested that you may want to use the managed wrapper to access Direct X rather then using .NET Compact Framework.

Read if you want to use ONLY the compact framework.

Compact Framework Games (managed code in C# - No DirectX):
Pocket Bots: Writing a Battle Game for Smartphones -
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnnetcomp/html/pocketbots.asp

StarLight: Writing a Space-Shooter Game for Smartphones -
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnnetcomp/html/starlight.asp


http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnnetcomp/html/gamesprogwithcheese.asp



------------  ANOTHER ROUTE: GAPI (Game API) for Pocket PC Only ----------------------------------

No info at this time; the Game API has been depreciated



---------- Links and Resources:


http://msdn.microsoft.com/coding4fun/gamedevelopment/pacman/default.aspx

http://msdn.microsoft.com/mobility/


http://searchvb.techtarget.com/generic/0,295582,sid8_gci1119129,00.html#code

http://msdn.microsoft.com/mobility/samples/default.aspx

Good example of DirectDraw code for 2D game:
(but remember you need to target your game directly for mobile devices)
http://www.developer.net.au/Programming_DirectX_Games_in_C.htm

List of a bunch of bits of code:
http://www.codeproject.com/netcf/#Games
 such as:
   .Net Compact Framework mobile example for PocketPC  (minesweeper example with code)
        http://www.codeproject.com/netcf/cfminesweeper.asp

 http://www.codeproject.com/netcf/BobbleNet.asp

Turn in

Try to edit the class Wiki and put your results up there.

Hopefully, we will have game demo time & feedback, TBA.

Assigned Groups