Newest Questions
57,720 questions
6
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2
answers
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Tips for developing 3D games on newer engines targeting old hardware [closed]
I see a lot of examples and tutorials for 3D engines like Unity3D, UDK, Source etc. They all seem to be under the assumption that you are making a game for current(ish) hardware.
I would like some ...
72
votes
7
answers
46k
views
What to consider when deciding on 2D vs 3D for a game? [closed]
How much "harder" is 3D than 2D in terms of:
Amount/complexity of the code
Level of math skills required
Time involved in making art assets
Original title: How hard is 3D game development versus 2D?
- 1,655
5
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Where should I go looking for low-polygon 3D assets? [closed]
The biggest problem for me as a game programmer (who isn't also an artist) is getting good quality 3D models. I have checked out some of the 3D model market places like The 3D Studio and Top 3D Models ...
20
votes
7
answers
7k
views
For 2D games, is there any reason NOT to use a 3D API like Direct3D or OpenGL?
I've been out of hobby Game Development for quite a while now. Back when I did it, most people used Direct Draw to create 2D games. By the time I stopped people were saying OpenGL or Direct3D with ...
20
votes
3
answers
8k
views
In XNA, how do I dynamically load parts of a large 2D world map?
I want to develop a huge world map; at least 8000×6000 pixels in size. I have broken it into a 10×10 grid of 800×600-pixel PNG images. To avoid loading everything into memory, the images should be ...
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10
votes
3
answers
501
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Why does Farseer 2.x store temporaries as members and not on the stack? (.NET)
UPDATE: This question refers to Farseer 2.x. The newer 3.x doesn't seem to do this.
I'm using Farseer Physics Engine quite extensively at the moment, and I've noticed that it seems to store a lot of ...
- 21.3k
11
votes
3
answers
861
views
How can I implement a command system for a point-and-click style adventure game?
I'm making a point and click adventure game, and I'm currently trying to figure out the best way to implement a command system.
Assume a Monkey Island or Maniac Mansion style interface, with a ...
- 311
2
votes
4
answers
940
views
How can I add a Silverlight menu/hud/interface to an XNA game?
There are some programs that allow you to design some menus/hud/interfaces in flash and then insert them into your game. But is there something similar for making all of this stuff in Silverlight and ...
- 319
12
votes
4
answers
1k
views
How much extra power is required for a stereoscopic 3D game?
If we use Cryengine 3 for game development and make the game 3D compatible. Because 3D sends out two pictures, will this mean that you need a computer with twice the "power"? So if you get 30 fps when ...
- 525
75
votes
13
answers
132k
views
What is the fastest way to work out 2D bounding box intersection?
Assume that each Box object has the properties x, y, width, height and have their origin at their center, and that neither the objects nor the bounding boxes rotate.
- 6,558
30
votes
4
answers
18k
views
What is the cost of distributing through steam?
We are in Pre-alpha stage of a game development project and haven´t yet got reply from Valve about how it works to distribute through Steam. We need this information to do a business model with all ...
- 525
5
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Which 3D Engine for iPad development? [closed]
I have built a couple of games on the iPad using core animation, but for my next project I would like to built a 3D game. I am not really comfortable with programming OpenGL directly and would also ...
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54
votes
7
answers
12k
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Automated testing of games [closed]
Are there methods of automated testing of games?
Specific experiences are appreciated, with relevant information about the project such as platform and type of game if that helps with clarification....
- 868
13
votes
7
answers
2k
views
Domain-specific languages for scripting [closed]
As most of you know, embedded interpreters for languages like Lua and Python are widely used for scripting game logic, but I haven't seen much information on people going with domain-specific ...
37
votes
6
answers
12k
views
Implementing a wrapping wire (like the Worms Ninja Rope) in a 2D physics engine
I've been trying out some rope-physics recently, and I've found that the "standard" solution - making a rope from a series of objects strung together with springs or joints - is unsatisfying. ...
- 21.3k
10
votes
6
answers
23k
views
Make pygame's frame rate faster
By profiling my game, I see that the vast majority of the execution time of my hobby game is between the blit and the flip calls. Currently, it's only running at around 13fps. My video card is fairly ...
- 375
11
votes
3
answers
17k
views
Synchronizing clients with a server and with each other
What is the best way for keeping all clients synchronized with a server and with each other?
Currently, we have two approaches in mind:
When a client sends something to the server, the server ...
- 375
19
votes
7
answers
6k
views
Blender For Game Development, Pros And Cons [closed]
Blender is one of those applications that you either love or hate. I know it is great for 3D modeling and and animations and there is a lot said about the UI and its steep learning curve.
I am more ...
- 343
9
votes
2
answers
7k
views
How to structure a simple game server for a multiplayer game?
I would like to create a simple multiplayer game server for a simple game:
The game is supposed to be similar to Command & Conquer, you have a few tanks and a few soldiers. You can select one ...
- 195
76
votes
26
answers
65k
views
Recommended 2D Game Engine for prototyping [closed]
What high-level game engine would you recommend to develop a 2D game prototype on windows? (or mac/linux if you wish)
The kind of things I mean by "high-level" includes (but is definitely not limited ...
5
votes
4
answers
2k
views
How to become a Game Artist?
If I understand correctly, there are two major kinds of artists involved in game development - 2D and 3D.
I think I somewhat understand, that if I want to go 3D, I should learn some 3D modeling ...
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9
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Do any 3d engines natively import Google Sketchup models [closed]
Google Sketchup is about the only 3d cad program I can use, because I suck. Do any 3d engines natively import Sketchup models? Are there any major caveats when doing so?
- 2,508
3
votes
5
answers
690
views
Where is the time spent?
Game development is a large process. In your experience, how are the total hours for releasing a game divided over the following major areas. I believe this is useful because few people (none?) are ...
- 149
23
votes
6
answers
8k
views
What are some methods to represent train tracks?
I looked into this a while back for a small project, but didn't get too far. I'd like to create a small program that lets a user draw a train track and then allows a "train" to follow said track on a ...
- 2,508
91
votes
16
answers
111k
views
Good game design books? [closed]
I have some experience in creating, however I like to have some well written reference material to help me produce better products. Are there any game design books that are not aimed at a particular ...
62
votes
8
answers
39k
views
How can I get involved with open source game projects? [closed]
I have a limited experience in game development and would like to get involved with open source game project. Where should I look and how should I begin?
7
votes
3
answers
1k
views
For a 2D game on the iphone would I better using OpenGL or CoreGraphics?
I am planning on developing my first iPhone game, and I was wanting to know whether I should use OpenGL or CoreGraphics for a 2D game. An outline of the benefits would also be helpful.
Edit: Set ...
46
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Effective marketing strategies for independent game projects [closed]
I would really like to hear how other independents generally approach marketing their game with limited resources. I know how critical marketing is since I've seen it first hand on several fronts. I'...
- 4,081
102
votes
12
answers
72k
views
What are some good podcasts for game developers to listen to? [closed]
This could include specific game dev, general dev or general game podcasts.
Please provide a brief description along with links.
114
votes
6
answers
45k
views
Version control for game development - issues and solutions? [closed]
There are a lot of version control systems available, including open-source ones such as Subversion, Git, and Mercurial, plus commercial ones such as Perforce.
How well do they support the process ...
5
votes
2
answers
3k
views
OpenGL equivalent of .fx files in GLSL or Cg?
There's a lot of learning material in the DirectX world that uses .fx files to manage shaders, and .fx seems to be well integrated with 3D packages such as Maya and 3D Studio Max
What do larger ...
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8
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Networking in Flash games. Socket or Stratus?
Working on a prototype for a Flash game that will use networking communication. It would be better to use Peer 2 Peer connection, since it will be a multiplayer game.
Has anyone used Stratus or tried ...
- 3,663
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
anyone knows any open skeletal/bones 2d animations framework for java? [closed]
Some examples could be the animations framework used in Aquaria, or in Crimson Legend.
- 345
6
votes
3
answers
377
views
What middle tier and backend libraries exist for handling player matching and out of game information? [closed]
Are there any libraries or frameworks readily available that handle player metrics, rankings, matching, tournaments, etc? Anything for managing the player community? (Please don't say DotNetNuke)
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106
votes
11
answers
40k
views
Good resources for learning about game architecture? [closed]
Are there any good resources for learning about game architectures? I am looking for high level overviews of different architectures. I tend to find information about the various pieces of a game such ...
20
votes
6
answers
12k
views
What are some ways to prevent or reduce cheating in online multiplayer games? [closed]
Punkbuster exists just to prevent cheating, and yet cheating is common in punkbuster enabled games. Modern Warefare 2 is seriously locked down from the end user running their own server or making any ...
- 4,516
27
votes
14
answers
11k
views
Why is there a lack of games for Linux? [closed]
What is wrong with the Linux/*nix family for games? What makes the development of games for this platform too slow compared to Windows or even OS X?
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45
votes
7
answers
48k
views
How were 8-bit and 16-bit games developed? [closed]
We have a lot of information on the internet out there on plenty of engines, SDKs, fancy IDEs, etc.
But how did people manage to develop games in the past? Are there 'famous' tools? What was the most ...
79
votes
11
answers
42k
views
How do I determine my games minimum hardware/software requirements?
With me going it alone in development I only have limited resources at my disposal i.e one pc with which I develop and test the game. so I only know for certain my game works with that setup.
What ...
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12
votes
3
answers
2k
views
What is a good way to measure game virality?
I have added some social features to an iPhone game (Lexitect if you're curious), such as email, Twitter, and Facebook integration for sharing high scores. Along with these features, I am measuring ...
- 390
58
votes
9
answers
38k
views
Is the TCP protocol good enough for real-time multiplayer games?
Back in the day, TCP connections over dialup/ISDN/slow broadband resulted in choppy, laggy games because a single dropped packet resulted in a resync. That meant a lot of game developers had to ...
- 4,516
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Is it possible to develop a game with Lua/Löve and have the source code compiled? [closed]
I've been looking at Lua and Löve for developing simple 2D games. But since Lua is interpreted and I know it can be compiled to some point, but how secure is that to decompiling. Or is there a better ...
- 3,663
19
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Feasibility of an XNA game on PC
A friend and I are doing a 2D XNA game. Thus far, the API seems really cool and performance is acceptable. My question is more towards the release of it though. As other developers how have done ...
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28
votes
2
answers
31k
views
How do you add a scripting language to a game?
Let's say I have a game written in C++. But I want to add some modding or scripting functionality to it. How would one go about adding a scripting functionality to your game?
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33
votes
6
answers
12k
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Should I be using Lua for game logic on mobile devices?
As above really,
I'm writing an android based game in my spare time (android because it's free and I've no real aspirations to do anything commercial).
The game logic comes from a very typical ...
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9
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Patterns for racing AI behaviour
So let's say you've got a spline-based racing AI. Assume it can already handle the basics of braking and steering around the track.
How would you structure and implement collision avoidance, ...
5
votes
3
answers
7k
views
How do I load Collada models into a WebGL app? [closed]
I have written some simple apps following the tutorials on http://learningwebgl.com. What is the simplest way to load and display Collada model files, particularly the files available from Google 3D ...
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40
votes
4
answers
20k
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How does Flow Field pathfinding work?
Supreme Commander 2 has something called flow field path finding. How does it work? Is there some article available I can read up on how it works?
- 1,461
2
votes
7
answers
575
views
Which frameworks are system agnostic? [closed]
I'd like to have as little portability issues as possible but supports hardware acceleration. The main priority is on PC and having a game run on Windows, Linux and MacOS. Porting to consoles would ...
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82
votes
10
answers
27k
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What are the challenges and benefits of writing games with a functional language? [closed]
While I know that functional languages aren't the most commonly used for game writing, there are a lot of benefits associate with them that seem like they would be interesting in any programming ...