End of 30 Day Challenge [for now]

I know I seem like a quitter for this, but I am ending the 30 day challenge. Here’s why.

I was getting into the tutorial series when it finally dawned on me that it wasn’t built for engine development. Not that I was just copying it line for line, but I wasn’t putting forward my best object oriented approach. So I re-wrote a lot of it several times. Once, I used a singleton that would contain all the main engine classes I wanted. However, I later read the limitations of the singleton when it comes to multi-threading.

I did this several times, not putting forward my best code. And that’s what it’s all about right? Quality code?

I decided that I’m instead going to hit the books. I’m going to do my XNA project first, then read the following books:

1. Effective C++
2. C++ for Game Programmers
3. Advanced 3D Game Programming with DirectX 10.0
4. 3D Game Engine Design, Second Edition

I’m not particularly looking forward to the sheer amount of verbiage I am about to consume since it has to be done in a short amount of time. I need to read a lot & I need it to stick.

Anyways, I’m not quitting. I’m just holding off for now.

Side Note: I’m going to be attending the IGDA Austin picnic Saturday. I hope it’s amazing.

576 Hours (Sound, Text, and Input)

I had to work on RESTINCT alot this weekend, but I was able to dedicate some to the 30 day challenge. I’m still quite behind though.

I was able to implement a text system that allows you to set the placement, color, and value of a sentence. Another thing that I implemented was an Input System that gives you the KeyDown & Mouse (movement & position) values. Finally, I was able to implement sound finally!

The one thing that I didn’t learn how to do was sound. The tutorial that I browsed assumed that you knew DirectSound. That being said, it didn’t seem to hard to manipulate. I’m just very ignorant on file type verification. I wouldn’t know the first thing about implementing an MP3 System.

One issue that’s coming up is that I want to be able to use this for an implementation of a game. However, most implementations of the things I’m learning online are mostly set up for education purposes. This means that I’m coming up with the architecture.

This is fine, but I don’t have any background, so I’m pulling it out of my butt for what I think will work. Hopefully, putting Input, Graphics, & Sound into a master class, then having the master class be passed into your logic class for use elsewhere isn’t Taboo.

One last thing I’d like to mention. I’m considering creating a tutorial series for some of the work I’m doing on RESTINCT. Everything I’ve seen online about persistent objects & inventory systems are lacking. I think I might be able to contribute to the community for the next guy, so if I do, I’ll write about it here.

Good night.
I

672 Hours (Day of GUI)

So I’m behind.

It sucks because it’s only day three and I’m a full implementation behind and that’s not boding well for stress levels. (Oh finals..) Good news is the weekend is pretty free, so I’m going to implement the most important things by then.

Anyways, I did fix a specular bug and I implemented a bitmap class, as well as some orthographic projection. While I do have a “GUI” graphic appearing on screen, It’s implementation will be different as intended.

Eventually (probably next week) I’m going to start changing the base files into something a bit more abstract and take all the logic out and put it into a Pong Class. I can easily pass the Graphics Object & the Input Object, which is a much better system than the inverted system I had last time. Bottom up is a lot easier to work with.

696 Hours (Day of Specular)

So, I’ve never been able to implement specular highlighting. Today, I was finally able to implement it. I’m officially further than I was a year ago! :S

Either way, I’m pretty happy about it. Ambient Light was also implemented. Graphically so far, it’s a shiny rotating cube with some texture. Not a whole lot. But it’s one small step, no?

Mathematically, I’m in quaternions which are something I’m familiar with. I didn’t finish the chapter, which is pretty disappointing, but I’m working 3 part times and going to school. Give me a break.

Either way, I need to do a bit more research since I’m still having trouble grasping them. More on that tomorrow.

720 Hours

Note one: I am postponing Zombie Plague until my portfolio is complete.

Note two: 30 Day Challenge. I am going to complete 3D Pong Room & it’s engine in 30 days. I am going to finish my 3D Math book. This is going to be extremely difficult for me since I have a part time job, game job, and school. Oh well!

These blog entries will primarily serve to keep me accountable. It will essentially be logs of what I’ve done. It will probably be pretty boring. Sorry!

Log 1:
I’m taking inspiration from a tutorial series at the moment (rastertek.com). I like how a lot of this is organized, but I’m not a huge fan of the structure, so I’m changing it. Either way, tonight I was able to implement file uploading (for models) and diffuse lighting.

Tomorrow, I will do Ambient Light & Specular Light.