Video Games & Object Oriented Programming

Games

What are Games?

Not a Game Movie No active player participation Fixed final outcome Toy Play with a toy, but not with a game No predefined goals, no notion of winning Puzzle Puzzles are static Games are dynamic and change in the course of playing Is SimCity a game?

Games Are: A Structured activity Played for Fun Often involves Competition Has specific Rules And is generally Interactive

Video Games Are: A video game is a software program in which one or more players make decisions through the control of game objects and resources, in pursuit of a goal. Played on Platforms  What are some examples of platforms that you play on?

Video Game Genre Genres classify different types of games Examples: AdventureArcade FightingMMO MusicParty PuzzleRacing Role PlayingShooter ManagementSports

How Do We Make a Video Game?

What is Programming? A sequence of instructions intended for a computer to follow is a program A sequence of instructions intended for a computer to follow is a program Programming is the process of creating a program Programming is the process of creating a program

What is Object-Oriented Programming? Object-oriented programming is creating programs using objects. Object-oriented programming is creating programs using objects. Objects are created as classes and have methods and properties. Objects are created as classes and have methods and properties. Classes tell how to make an object. Classes tell how to make an object. Methods tell objects to perform actions. Methods tell objects to perform actions. Properties tell information about objects. Properties tell information about objects.

Example: The Cat Class What methods would a cat have? eatpurrmeow What properties would a cat have? name color age These methods and properties define the Cat class.

Other Programming Elements…

Conditional Logic - Using if-then-else logic structure to describe a potential chain of events, based on a given set of rules. Variables - Variables are symbols that hold value or represent some other thing. Algorithms - The construction of a plan of action. Debugging - Diagnosing errors in logic or behavior. This usually involves fixing rules or mechanics that are malfunctioning, or clarifying rules or strategies.

Video Game Design

Game Elements GoalsRulesAssets Spaces Play Mechanics Scoring System

What is necessary to make a game? In pairs, discuss one of the following: In pairs, discuss one of the following: a.Apples and Oranges: Compare and contrast any two individual games from within the same genre b.Nuts and Bolts: Compare and contrast two individual games in two different genres of games. What makes each game an example of that genre? c.Fruits and Veggies: Compare and contrast two whole genres. What are the core experiences of each genre? What makes them distinct and unique from each other, and how are they similar to each other?

Goals Every system has some Goal, or something that it is trying to complete. In games, the Goal is the win condition, or how the player wins the game. Spatial goals – get to end of level Task Oriented – complete the tri force

Rules Rules can generally be defined by: Behavior for which the player will be punished. In basketball, you cannot walk or run without dribbling the ball. This is called traveling, and the other team will get the ball. Rules that restrict behavior. In chess, the player cannot move a pawn sideways or backwards. There is no punishment, as those are not valid Moves; the Rules simply define the set of actions available to the players Moves; the Rules simply define the set of actions available to the players.

What’s the difference between Sonic and Mario?

Assets Assets are all of the things in the game landscape, trees, buildings, sky, power- ups, weapons, everything else that you can actually see in the game The design of the Assets gives the game atmosphere and personality

Spaces Spaces are where the game takes place. Think of a game like Star Wars: The Old Republic. This game takes place in very tight, cramped, poorly-lit Spaces, where it becomes difficult to see and avoid enemies. This increases the tension and the feeling of dread, which contributes to the games’ scariness and adds to the theme of the game.

Play Mechanics Play Mechanics are the things that players DO in games. If the Goal of the game tells the player how the player can win the game, the Play Mechanics provide the player methods for achieving that Goal. They are the action words, like “run”, “jump”, “shoot”, “trade”, “take cover” or “upgrade my equipment”. For example, in Mario, the player can run, jump, and throw fireballs in order to get to the end of the level, which is the Goal.

Let’s Get Started!

Coming After Lunch Object Oriented Programming

Writing a Program Writing a program is just like solving any other kind of problem What kind of steps do people use to solve problems? Example: How do you make a cake?

Steps for Problem Solving 1.Read and understand the problem 2.Design solution 3.Implement solution 4.Test solution 5.Revise as needed

Step 1: Read & Understand What is the problem you need to solve? What is all the relevant information? Do you need clarification? In Game Design: What is the goal of my game? What assets do you need? What rules do my objects follow? What variables should I have?

Step 2: Design Once you have all the information, you can begin to come up with an approach to solving the problem Design your solution carefully on paper before making the real thing Start with the overall big picture and then add in details We will be using the Game Design Document

Step 3: Implement Once you have your design follow it. Use the plans you have made for yourself. You may encounter the need to revise plans as you work If the problems get to big, you may need to rethink your planning In Game Development: Create the objects you listed in your design document Create a space and place the objects in it appropriately

Step 4: Test Make sure everything works the way you want/expect You may discover problems you had not considered Don’t wait until the very end to do this Go back and forth between steps 3, 4 and 5 many times

Step 5: Revise If at first you don’t succeed, try again Fix any problems you encounter Testing frequently helps you find the areas that need fixing In Your Game Think about what is wrong, and how that is represented in your objects or in your environment, and then go try to fix it You may need to try this many times