A Games Class Using A Games Class Using XNA Game Studio XNA Game Studio

ExpressExpressArt GittlemanArt Gittleman

California State University Long BeachCalifornia State University Long Beach

artg@csulb.eduartg@csulb.edu

• Enable students to program games with graphics and sound in both 2D and 3D

given a one-term course students with various backgrounds novice to experienced gamers perhaps some graphics or AI C++ or Java, but little C# (no problem) not artists or storytellers

GoalGoal

XNA Game Studio ExpressXNA Game Studio Express

• Wraps DirectX in XNA API• Adds to Visual C# Express (free)• Requires graphics card supporting pixel

shader model 1.1 or above (at least 2.0, really). Cards later than 2003 should work.

• See http://xnamatrix.com/xnareq.php for a requirements checker.

• Deploys to XBox 360 -- requires Creators Club membership -- $99/yr,49/4 mo

GraphicsGraphics

Graphics API

DirectX (Microsoft)

OpenGL (Cross-platform)

DirectX more popular for games.

Managed DirectX allows use of C# and .NET rather than C++

Still a lot to learn. Difficult in one term to achieve objective.

XNA makes it simpler.

XNA code templatesXNA code templates

Game class

• Initialize Called once• LoadGraphicsContent Once each refresh • Update Game logic every 1/60 sec. Draw Renders objects

Resources (Overview)Resources (Overview)

• XNA Documentation -- tutorials, examples

• XNA Development – tutorials, 2D games

• Creators Club Online – Main XNA site

• Riemer’s XNA Tutorials – Dozens, 3D

• My class site

XNA DocumentationXNA Documentation

• Getting Started -- simple examples moving sprites• Programming Guide –

Basics - loading content, drawing, camera, model, BasicEffect, sound Graphics 2D – draw, rotate, scale, scroll 3D – draw triangles, shaders (color,light)

XNA DevelopmentXNA Development

• Excellent 2D tutorials and games

http://www.xnadevelopment.com/index.shtml

Jellies A Plenty

The Wizard

Falling Blocks You Move to Make Lines

Drive Fast and Dodge the Oncoming

Obstacles

Creators Club OnlineCreators Club Online

XNA Team Site• http://creators.xna.com/• Download XNA, Games• Tutorials, Code examples

New video tutorial – Make a game in 60 minutes

create your own game: a top-down space shooter featuring 3D graphics, input, audio, collision, and scoring. (42 Minutes, 44.2 MB .WMV format)

Riemer’s XNA TutorialsRiemer’s XNA Tutorials

• Four series –terrain, flight simulator, higher-level shader language, advanced terrain. I did 2, 1, and 3 in that order.

• Great intro to 3D games using XNA

• He answers questions.

http://www.cecs.csulb.edu/http://www.cecs.csulb.edu/~artg/455/s07index.html~artg/455/s07index.html

• C#

• XNA

• Game Programming

• Game Design

• DirectX

• OpenGL

• Drawing Graphics

XNA BooksXNA Books

Professional XNA Game Programmingfor Xbox 360 and WindowsBenjamin NitschkeWrox (Wiley) 2007

He created Rocket Commander XNAand Racing Game, both available for Windows and

Xbox 360.

Other books to appear.

EvaluationEvaluation

• Gaming is a huge subject – can be an entire major

• Using XNA allows 2D and 3D game programming in one semester

• C# no problem for C++ or Java programmers• Want to add more on game design• Just scratch the surface in 3D• Use existing 3D models or collaborate