Make Amazing Games in Minutes

by Darby, Jason

• ISBN13: 9781584504078
• ISBN10: 1584504072
• Edition: CD
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-10-14
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

Many game enthusiasts have aspirations to create their own games but don't know where to start. Make Amazing Games in Minutes introduces the game creation process to the aspiring game developer with no experience or programming ability. Taking the reader step-by-step through the various stages of developing a game and using the popular "drag and drop" game creation software included on the CD-ROM, the reader can build his very own games. Using the tutorials and step-by-step methods, the reader will complete a fully playable retro game, as well as platform, bat & ball, and side-scrolling shoot-em up games. Other chapters cover more complex game features such as adding effects and scoreboards, porting the game onto the Web, and installation script building. This must-have book is the essential resource for anyone interested in learning game creation and the retro game style.

Table of Contents

Dedication	v
Acknowledgments	xii
Foreword	xv
Introduction	xvii
Games, Games, and More Games	1	(14)
Why Make Games	2	(1)
2D or 3D Games	3	(1)
Game Types	3	(6)
Why Retro?	9	(1)
Software Tools Used	10	(5)
Game Design Methods	15	(16)
Why Design?	15	(2)
Product Design and Planning	17	(14)
Programming Concepts	31	(10)
Traditional Programming Languages	32	(1)
Traditional Programming versus TGF2	33	(1)
Programming Terms and Concepts	33	(6)
Peudocode---Programming in English	39	(2)
TGF Creation Basics	41	(6)
Structure of a Game	41	(3)
Game Creation Process in TGF2	44	(3)
Finding Your Way Around	47	(22)
System Requirements	47	(2)
Program Installation	49	(1)
Starting TGF2 for the First Tme	49	(3)
Toolbars	52	(7)
The Editors	59	(9)
Making More Space	68	(1)
Objects, the Cornerstone of Creation	69	(6)
What are Objects?	69	(2)
Objects in TGF2	71	(4)
Configuring Properties	75	(22)
Properties Explained	75	(5)
Application Properties In-Depth	80	(8)
Frame properties In-Depth	88	(3)
Object Properties In-Depth	91	(6)
TGF Coding Basics	97	(16)
Introduction to the Event Editor Screen	97	(2)
Coding Concepts	99	(5)
Code Comments	104	(2)
Code Groups	106	(7)
Backup and Game Recovery	113	(8)
Why Back Up?	114	(1)
What Systems are Available?	115	(6)
Movement	121	(14)
Movement Basics	121	(3)
Movement Type Examples	124	(11)
Graphics and Animation	135	(6)
Graphic Creation	135	(4)
Animations	139	(2)
Creating a Bat-and-Ball Game	141	(42)
About The Lab	141	(3)
The Lab---Initial Setup	144	(3)
The Lab---Main Menu	147	(2)
The Lab---The Game Screen	149	(3)
The Lab---Hi-Scores	152	(1)
The Lab---Programming	153	(28)
Bat-and-Ball Retro	181	(2)
Scrolling Game Concepts	183	(6)
Scrolling Techniques	184	(5)
Creating a Side-scrolling Shoot-'em-up Game	189	(34)
About Amazing Fighter Pilot	189	(2)
Fighter Pilot---Initial Step	191	(1)
Fighter Pilot---Main Menu	192	(1)
Fighter Pilot---Game Screen	193	(3)
Fighter Pilot---Hi-Scores	196	(1)
Fighter Pilot---Programming	196	(27)
Robin Hood, the Rescue of Lady Marian	223	(24)
About Robin Hood, the Rescue of Lady Marian	223	(2)
Robin Hood---Initial Setup	225	(1)
Robin Hood---Main Menu	226	(1)
Robin Hood---The Game Screen	227	(3)
Robin Hood---Hi-Scores	230	(1)
Robin Hood---Programming	231	(14)
Programming the Hi-Scorres	245	(2)
Alien Invaders	247	(18)
Retro Game Making	248	(1)
Alien Invaders Game	248	(5)
Alien Invaders---Programming	253	(12)
Additional Concepts	265	(16)
Menus	265	(8)
Web Browser Games	273	(3)
Icons	276	(2)
Advanced Games	278	(3)
Bug Finding and Fixing	281	(10)
What are Bugs?	281	(1)
Why Find Them?	282	(1)
Bug Fixing and Product Releases	282	(2)
The Debugger	284	(4)
Testing Run-Through	288	(3)
Product Creation Afterthoughts	291	(26)
Installers	291	(3)
Making an Install Program	294	(6)
Upgrades with Patch Maker	300	(1)
Making a Patch Program	301	(4)
Trial Periods and Demos	305	(1)
Distribution Methods	306	(2)
Publishing	308	(2)
Marketing	310	(2)
Taking People's Money	312	(2)
Copyright Issues	314	(3)
Getting Help	317	(16)
Who Needs Help?	317	(1)
TGF2 Help	318	(5)
Useful Web Sites	323	(10)
On the CD-ROM	333	(2)
Index	335