It's been a long time. I've had a baby.
I've recently come back to one of my projects, the noir platformer, which I hope to start again (not the level editor, that works fine) But I've got a big decision.
I can either go the flash (and possibly iphone app) route using a piece of software called stencyl, or go back to blitzmax, which means the linux/Windows PC game.
Please, test out this initial experiment (which took all of 5 minutes, so don't expect anything good) and tell me if it loads, or is too fast/slow:
Flash Game Test
Behind the scenes of an independent games developer.
23 December, 2011
06 October, 2011
F1 Grand Prix Manager Style Game
Here's a quick first screenshot of my current experiment, a race simulator (possibly with management)
30 August, 2011
Free Fonts for commercial use
Have a read of this small article I wrote about a great resource for free fonts for commercial use:
Free fonts for commercial use
Free fonts for commercial use
26 August, 2011
Shop Part Two
Here you can see all my products,that I've added so far:
Please bear in mind that I'm an individual and not a multinational company, so every purchase does count! and will help me with developing more games or with buying the energy needed to live.
Make a personalized gift at Zazzle.
Thank you
Please bear in mind that I'm an individual and not a multinational company, so every purchase does count! and will help me with developing more games or with buying the energy needed to live.
Make a personalized gift at Zazzle.
Thank you
New online shop, (t-shirts/keyrings/mousemats)
Using zazzle.com, I've created my own shop at their site, with branded items such as t-shirts, mousemats, keyrings.
Here is a direct link:
http://www.zazzle.co.uk/sioncoshop?rf=238294253318969095
(www.zazzle.co.uk/sioncoshop)
Here are two examples:
Here is a direct link:
http://www.zazzle.co.uk/sioncoshop?rf=238294253318969095
(www.zazzle.co.uk/sioncoshop)
Here are two examples:
25 August, 2011
Youtube videos of my games and progress
I've currently been playing with xvidcap a program for the linux desktop that can capture videos of the desktop.
I've only done a few tests, but you can see the results on my youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/sionwales
I think the best one is this:
(Although it runs a bit fast)
I've only done a few tests, but you can see the results on my youtube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/sionwales
I think the best one is this:
(Although it runs a bit fast)
24 August, 2011
Change of operating system - Lubuntu --> Linux Mint KDE
After ditched the gnome environment in Ubuntu, I experimented with Lubuntu and Xubuntu. But for the last month I've been using Linux Mint KDE edition.
Now, I'm not new to KDE as a long time ago (about 11 years) I used to use openSUSE, but I switched back to Windows for a few years as I didn't think that Linux was up to my everyday desktop needs at the time.
But I've come back to KDE, and I am really enjoying it, it looks great, and despite hearing some stories about it being resource intensive, It's played fine with my hardware. Also, I love to customize everything I do enjoy the control it gives over every aspect of the desktop.
Now, I'm not new to KDE as a long time ago (about 11 years) I used to use openSUSE, but I switched back to Windows for a few years as I didn't think that Linux was up to my everyday desktop needs at the time.
But I've come back to KDE, and I am really enjoying it, it looks great, and despite hearing some stories about it being resource intensive, It's played fine with my hardware. Also, I love to customize everything I do enjoy the control it gives over every aspect of the desktop.
22 August, 2011
13 May, 2011
Day Nine, Play To Learn: Another Game started + more
Today, I've started work on the first game that the user will play on every planet. Actually, it's not really a game, but more of an introduction to the vocabulary, with one vocabulary picture appearing at a time on the screen, along with the word written and a audio clip of the word(Audio will be added in later/last).
I've also been trying again to reduce the memory 'footprint', as my target audience (schools, students in less well off countries,etc) will probably include a few old computers with low specs. So far I'm quite pleased with this, but at a later date I'll need to take a proper look in all the code files for the different games, to avoid repeated objects, data and memory leeks as I still have more resources to add such as sound and higher quality graphics.
I've also been trying again to reduce the memory 'footprint', as my target audience (schools, students in less well off countries,etc) will probably include a few old computers with low specs. So far I'm quite pleased with this, but at a later date I'll need to take a proper look in all the code files for the different games, to avoid repeated objects, data and memory leeks as I still have more resources to add such as sound and higher quality graphics.
27 April, 2011
Eigth Day: Optimization and Classic Word Game menu.
Today, as usual I have only been able to work a few hours. So, before my code get's to messy I've been trying to tidy it in both games (Play to Learn and Classic Word Games).
So bascially I've tried to incorporate similar variables from the different mini-games into one and commenting on my code.
Also, I've worked a little bit on the Classic Word Games game, I now have a screen where the user can select whether they want to play hangman, the memory card game or the soon to be developed third game, and also the difficulty. The next step for Classic Word Games is to create the third word game and add a 'subject select screen' where the user can choose which subject of vocabulary that they want to learn.
So bascially I've tried to incorporate similar variables from the different mini-games into one and commenting on my code.
Also, I've worked a little bit on the Classic Word Games game, I now have a screen where the user can select whether they want to play hangman, the memory card game or the soon to be developed third game, and also the difficulty. The next step for Classic Word Games is to create the third word game and add a 'subject select screen' where the user can choose which subject of vocabulary that they want to learn.
26 April, 2011
Seventh Day - Bitmap fonts and planning
Today, I've spent the morning working on using bitmap fonts to draw in game text. This is because apparently BlitzMax is slower or uses more memory to load and draw font's from font files than to load text from an image (such as the image shown below this text). This has been an interesting experience because I've never done this before or dealt with ascii codes, but after a lot of attempts and errors, the final code is quite simple.
Also, I've created two lists that will help me, the first lists all the tasks that need to be completed, there priority, the section of the game (such as graphics, sound, game engine) and an estimate of time it will take to do.
The second list is the same, but it's for fixes or improvements that I see and need to address in the future, which could be anything from improving the memory usage to how games work.
I think these will help me a lot in the development of the game, because I can clearly see and pick a task that will take a short time or long time depending on the amount of free time I have available on that certain day
Also, I've created two lists that will help me, the first lists all the tasks that need to be completed, there priority, the section of the game (such as graphics, sound, game engine) and an estimate of time it will take to do.
The second list is the same, but it's for fixes or improvements that I see and need to address in the future, which could be anything from improving the memory usage to how games work.
I think these will help me a lot in the development of the game, because I can clearly see and pick a task that will take a short time or long time depending on the amount of free time I have available on that certain day
22 April, 2011
Vocabulary
I've spent today thinking about the many different vocabulary subjects for the 'Classic Word Games' game. I've also made a start on the big task of entering the thousands of words.
Basically, I've decided to store the words in seperate files depending on the subject
such as there is a file called 'colours.wrd' for the colour vocabulary and 'pets.wrd' for pets vocabulary.
Each file basically looks like this:
This makes it easy to edit and easy to read into the programme quickly.
If anyone wants to help add vocabulary, you are more than welcome!
Basically, I've decided to store the words in seperate files depending on the subject
such as there is a file called 'colours.wrd' for the colour vocabulary and 'pets.wrd' for pets vocabulary.
Each file basically looks like this:
EASY
cat
dog
INTERMEDIATE
goldfish
ADVANCED
gerbil
cockatoo
ENDOFFILE
This makes it easy to edit and easy to read into the programme quickly.
If anyone wants to help add vocabulary, you are more than welcome!
16 April, 2011
Fifth Day (hangman)
Today, (well at 12am on Friday night) I started work on one more of the mini-games, which will be hangman
As said before I'm also considering releasing a separate computer game consisting of a few classic word games, that includes thousands of words of vocabulary categorised into subjects and English levels (Beginner,Intermediate,Advanced). One of these games will be a computerised version of hangman, so today I have been 'killing two birds with one stone'.
The Play To Learn game just loads the correct vocabulary depending on the planet the student is currently on. While the separate version loads the vocabulary depending on (As said before) the English level and subject.
I'm quite pleased with it even though it doesn't look great due to the fact that there are no graphics at the moment.
As said before I'm also considering releasing a separate computer game consisting of a few classic word games, that includes thousands of words of vocabulary categorised into subjects and English levels (Beginner,Intermediate,Advanced). One of these games will be a computerised version of hangman, so today I have been 'killing two birds with one stone'.
The Play To Learn game just loads the correct vocabulary depending on the planet the student is currently on. While the separate version loads the vocabulary depending on (As said before) the English level and subject.
I'm quite pleased with it even though it doesn't look great due to the fact that there are no graphics at the moment.
08 April, 2011
Just thoughts (again...)
Today I've been thinking about releasing two or three games at the same time, and how I will do this. I've come to the following conclusion of what I will release:
1. Play To Learn: The computer game that I'm working on, which is for very young learners of English to introduce them to new vocabulary.
2. A Collection of Word Games: This will include games such as hangman and 'the memory game'. I hope to include thousands of words of vocabulary sorted into subjects and English Levels (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced).
1. Play To Learn: The computer game that I'm working on, which is for very young learners of English to introduce them to new vocabulary.
2. A Collection of Word Games: This will include games such as hangman and 'the memory game'. I hope to include thousands of words of vocabulary sorted into subjects and English Levels (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced).
25 March, 2011
Fourth Day (Planning)
Today, I haven't done that much work on the game.
I've used most of the day planning, as I still haven't decided definitely what the 7 games on each planet will be about or if this first version will mostly be just about vocabulary.
The only new part to the game, was setting up a new empty level ready for the next mini-game to be started next week.
I've used most of the day planning, as I still haven't decided definitely what the 7 games on each planet will be about or if this first version will mostly be just about vocabulary.
The only new part to the game, was setting up a new empty level ready for the next mini-game to be started next week.
18 March, 2011
Third Day
Well, Yes I did miss one week of development due to personal commitments. But this Friday (my only real free day that I can work on the project) I have completed the first game, the memory game, where the user has to find two similar cards (one with the English word on it and the other with a picture of the object or subject).
I'm fairly pleased, as this game is ready to be used across the different planets, and just needs the graphics to be inserted for each planet, and a score system (which I'll implement across the whole game).
I'm even considering releasing a version of this game on it's own as a resource for teachers of the English language, with as many different vocabulary subjects as possible.
I'm fairly pleased, as this game is ready to be used across the different planets, and just needs the graphics to be inserted for each planet, and a score system (which I'll implement across the whole game).
I'm even considering releasing a version of this game on it's own as a resource for teachers of the English language, with as many different vocabulary subjects as possible.
04 March, 2011
Second Day
So, Friday is definitely my coding day, as it's the day I have free.
Today, I've been working more on the navigation from area to area.
I've included the current progress as screenshots below.
The user can select which planet they want to enter (such as number planet or animal planet) and then from there they can select which game they want. The red buttons will eventually be replaced with a nice picture for each game type (Well all the graphics will be replaced, as to increase productivity, I've just included the quickest graphics I could draw).
I've also started the first game which will be a 'memory' card game, where the user has to find pairs of objects from a set of cards. It isn't complete yet, but at least it's a start. If I can get at least one game completed a week, I think that will be good progress.
I'm looking for someone to do the cartoon graphics for my game, so leave me a message if you can.
Today, I've been working more on the navigation from area to area.
I've included the current progress as screenshots below.
The user can select which planet they want to enter (such as number planet or animal planet) and then from there they can select which game they want. The red buttons will eventually be replaced with a nice picture for each game type (Well all the graphics will be replaced, as to increase productivity, I've just included the quickest graphics I could draw).
I've also started the first game which will be a 'memory' card game, where the user has to find pairs of objects from a set of cards. It isn't complete yet, but at least it's a start. If I can get at least one game completed a week, I think that will be good progress.
I'm looking for someone to do the cartoon graphics for my game, so leave me a message if you can.
28 February, 2011
Learn English Educational Game Diary
Just a quick update.
In the first 3 hours.
I've starting creating the basic navigation system of the game.
version 0.01
-Created basic program structure.
-I've got a simple menu at the top of the screen for exiting the game, and returning to the main screen.
-I've created the navigation for entering the different themed sections (Currently they are badly drawn planets, such as number planet, colour planet, animal planet, etc..)
In the first 3 hours.
I've starting creating the basic navigation system of the game.
version 0.01
-Created basic program structure.
-I've got a simple menu at the top of the screen for exiting the game, and returning to the main screen.
-I've created the navigation for entering the different themed sections (Currently they are badly drawn planets, such as number planet, colour planet, animal planet, etc..)
27 February, 2011
New Start. New Game. A Project for 2011
Announcing: Project 2011
Today, I've decided to make an educational video game for young foreign learners of the English language.
The game will have different themed sections (such as a section on colour, a section on animals, numbers, etc..) and within each section there will be various fun games for children to play and learn.
About 2 years ago I did actually start making an identical game called 'Learn & Play' (as seen in the games section on my website) but it never got completed due to my lack of programming knowledge at the time, I've put it available to download on my website, although it is a bit of gamble of which games in which planets work, and which ones don't.
As for the new game, It will use none of the code from the old game (because basically, it was a mess and full of simple mistakes. Even though I'll keep it at the moment while I'm starting-out, I'm not sure if I'll keep the space theme for the final game.
My ultimate aim is to be able to sell this game.
Here are a few small screenshots of the OLD ORIGINAL game:
Today, I've decided to make an educational video game for young foreign learners of the English language.
The game will have different themed sections (such as a section on colour, a section on animals, numbers, etc..) and within each section there will be various fun games for children to play and learn.
About 2 years ago I did actually start making an identical game called 'Learn & Play' (as seen in the games section on my website) but it never got completed due to my lack of programming knowledge at the time, I've put it available to download on my website, although it is a bit of gamble of which games in which planets work, and which ones don't.
As for the new game, It will use none of the code from the old game (because basically, it was a mess and full of simple mistakes. Even though I'll keep it at the moment while I'm starting-out, I'm not sure if I'll keep the space theme for the final game.
My ultimate aim is to be able to sell this game.
Here are a few small screenshots of the OLD ORIGINAL game:
25 February, 2011
Return of the dead
Wow, It's been a hectic few months with my work and moving around.
But as of today, I'm back to programming, with a new game development environment and set-up.
Today, I've mostly been playing around with my three unfinished games from last year,( a racing game, platform game, and a educational game)
Today, I've been mostly trying to work out what certain parts of the code do (TIP: Everybody say's it, but commenting your code is one of the best things you can do)
I'm still undecided of which game to continue, or whether to start a new one. But I'll keep you posted.
But as of today, I'm back to programming, with a new game development environment and set-up.
Today, I've mostly been playing around with my three unfinished games from last year,( a racing game, platform game, and a educational game)
Today, I've been mostly trying to work out what certain parts of the code do (TIP: Everybody say's it, but commenting your code is one of the best things you can do)
I'm still undecided of which game to continue, or whether to start a new one. But I'll keep you posted.
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