SkyWay Prototype Video

So here's a short video of what I've got so far for my project code-named "SkyWay". The collision detection is broken, jumping isn't the way I want it to be, and I only use a short map. But, for now, I'm pretty pleased considering this is my first hard coded 3D game, and only my second hard coded game ever. Quite a testament to XNA in my opinion.



This week (since my last post) has mainly been spent doing research. The prototype will be somewhat improved for my prototype demonstration of it next week.

Goodbye Breakout, Hello SkyWay

So once again my main idea for my final year 3D XNA game has changed. If you've been reading my blog, you'll know that I originally began with the idea of creating a game similar to Microsoft's Hover. Well, that was before I knew what 3D programming really involved. I think decided a 3D Breakout clone would be a better idea, due to it using simple shapes and only plane collision. Upon doing a few 3D tutorials (from Riemer's Excellent Tutorial site) I realised that Breakout was going to cause problems for me as well (mainly indoor lighting which I struggled with attempting); that and the fact Breakout is predominantly meant to be played as a 2D game. I wanted to make something that worked best in 3D, as well as would be fun.


Last night, thanks to insomnia, I was brainstorming, and remembered an old DOS game I used to play and enjoy constantly: Bluemoon's excellent Skyroads (now available for free download). The basic idea of the game is to drive your small space craft along an obstacle course whereby you must avoid hitting the obstacles or falling off the track, whilst maintaining enough speed so that you finish the track before you run out of time. I have decided that this game would be very suitable for my project: its fun, its 3D, and most importantly, I feel its within my ability.

Working from Riemer's XNA Flight Simulator tutorial, I am beginning to construct the game. I have included some work in progress screenshots below. Bare in mind almost everything you see in these shots is going to be changed: the skybox, the ground textures, the spacecraft model. At the moment I have a very primitive gravity acting in the world, and collision detection which barely works. Expect at least one more update this week to the blog.

Screenshot in solid mode (click to enlarge)
Screenshot in wireframe mode (click to enlarge)

Games of 2006

So since my final winter exam was yesterday, I thought I'd take this weekend to unwind before diving right into my project prototype on Monday. I've been meaning to make a post about my favourite games of 2006 and what I'm playing now, so here goes!

My Games of 2006

• 1. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess [Wii]
  
• 2. Guitar Hero I & II [PS2]
  
• 3. Elite Beat Agents [DS]
  
• 4. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion [PC]
  
• 5. Gears of War [360]
  
• 6. New Super Mario Brothers [DS]
  
• 7. Ghost Recon: Advanced Warfighter [360]
  
• 8. Half Life 2: Episode 1 [PC]
  
• 9. Viva Pinata [360]
  
• 10. Wii Sports [Wii]

So there you have it. Viva Pinata could possibly had ranked higher had I had more playtime with it, but since its my final year, spare time has been rare this year. Also, an honourable mention goes to 42 All Time Classics on the DS; I only managed to pick it up after Christmas but since then its brought a multitude of multiplayer joy, as well as a great game to play when you can't sleep!

My "currently playing" games list consists of:

• NHL '07 [360]
• 42 All Time Classics [DS]
• Rainbow Six: Vegas [360]
• Pro Evolution Soccer 6 [360] (usually only local multiplayer)
• Frogger [Xbox Live Arcade]
• Gears of War [360]

Blog Seasoning

So I've added some features down the right hand side of the blog. Nothing of interest really, or to do with my 3D project, more just to make this feel a bit more like a home page for me. So now you can find my Xbox Live gamercard with gamertag info, my Nintendo DS and Wii codes, and a live feed from what I'm listening to right now, courtesy of Last.fm.

This is what happens when I'm supposed to be revising for exams with Powerpoint slides on my laptop. :-(

EDIT: I've also added links to my dj mixes along the right as well, just in case people are still coming to my site looking for them. Sorry, no tracklistings anymore, at least for now.