pyweek luke arntson [email protected] colorado game developers association nov. 6 th, 2007...
TRANSCRIPT
PyweekPyweek
Luke ArntsonLuke [email protected]@leviathangames.com
Colorado Game Developers Association Colorado Game Developers Association Nov. 6Nov. 6thth, 2007, 2007
Competitive Python/Pygame Programming & Development for Games
IntroductionIntroduction Who Am I?Who Am I?
Graduated ‘07 from Central Washington Graduated ‘07 from Central Washington UniversityUniversity
Moved to Colorado in JuneMoved to Colorado in June Game Programmer for Leviathan GamesGame Programmer for Leviathan Games
Areas of expertise?Areas of expertise? C/C++C/C++ Python/PygamePython/Pygame SQL/DB SoftwareSQL/DB Software
Urban NinjaCthulhu32 (me) – Pyweek #3 Entry
OverviewOverview Developing Games in Python?Developing Games in Python? Competitive Pygame?Competitive Pygame? Pyweek OverviewPyweek Overview Planning Your GamePlanning Your Game Realistic GoalsRealistic Goals Art, Audio, & LevelsArt, Audio, & Levels Gameplay & Time-ConstraintsGameplay & Time-Constraints Results!Results!
Python for Games?Python for Games? Rapid developmentRapid development
Python is dynamically typedPython is dynamically typed Pygame makes 2-D graphics easyPygame makes 2-D graphics easy Pygame.Mixer allows for easy audioPygame.Mixer allows for easy audio
Open source programmingOpen source programming Python runs in real-timePython runs in real-time Pyweek projects are open-source (mostly Pyweek projects are open-source (mostly
GPL)GPL) Extremely large communityExtremely large community
Take a look at the Take a look at the www.pygame.orgwww.pygame.org forums! forums! IRC: irc.freenode.net #pygame #pyweek IRC: irc.freenode.net #pygame #pyweek
#python#python
Pygame LibraryPygame Library http://www.pygame.orghttp://www.pygame.org – Pygame’s – Pygame’s
WebsiteWebsite
Competitive Pygame?Competitive Pygame? Can you make a game in a week?Can you make a game in a week?
Design, build, program, AND polish!Design, build, program, AND polish! Make it enjoyable from someone else’s POVMake it enjoyable from someone else’s POV Go solo or with a team?Go solo or with a team? Available first week of April or September?Available first week of April or September?
Solo vs. TeamSolo vs. Team Solo means you are in fullSolo means you are in full controlcontrol Team means everyone has to workTeam means everyone has to work togethertogether Ready for a week worth of mayhem/fun?Ready for a week worth of mayhem/fun?
Spirit of Pyweek!Spirit of Pyweek! No prizes, its just for the fun of No prizes, its just for the fun of
games!games! Large Pyweek community on IRCLarge Pyweek community on IRC
Fun pre-game warmupsFun pre-game warmups
Other competitors willOther competitors will
gladly answer questions!gladly answer questions!
Make contacts & friendsMake contacts & friendsWhich Way is Up?
Hectigo – Pyweek #4 Solo Winner
Pyweek!Pyweek!(Taken from www.pyweek.org)(Taken from www.pyweek.org)
Invites entrants to write a game in one Invites entrants to write a game in one week from scratch either as an individual week from scratch either as an individual or in a team, or in a team,
Is intended to be challenging and fun, Is intended to be challenging and fun, Will hopefully increase the public body of Will hopefully increase the public body of
game tools, code and expertise, game tools, code and expertise, Will let a lot of people actually finish a Will let a lot of people actually finish a
game, and game, and May inspire new projects (with ready made May inspire new projects (with ready made
teams!)teams!) Richard – Host of Pyweek
Planning PhasePlanning Phase Theme is chosen by Pyweek membersTheme is chosen by Pyweek members
Three weeks to vote on favorite themesThree weeks to vote on favorite themes
Game design to the extremeGame design to the extreme Original game?Original game? Revamp the classics?Revamp the classics?
My approach?My approach? Play some old-schoolPlay some old-school classicsclassics What makes simple games great?What makes simple games great?
Contra © Konami 1988
Realistic GoalsRealistic Goals What is feasible in just a week?What is feasible in just a week?
Do not try to make your own engine!Do not try to make your own engine! Think about game style/genreThink about game style/genre Dynamic vs. Static entities/environments?Dynamic vs. Static entities/environments?
Over-shooting & Under-shootingOver-shooting & Under-shooting Every developer has a unique styleEvery developer has a unique style Whacky brand new ideas are great!Whacky brand new ideas are great! … … but there is nothing wrong with but there is nothing wrong with
revamping classic games (Zelda, Mario, revamping classic games (Zelda, Mario, Tetris, Robotron, etc.)Tetris, Robotron, etc.)
Do not doubt your own talents and abilitiesDo not doubt your own talents and abilities
Team GoalsTeam Goals Bigger teams can take bigger risksBigger teams can take bigger risks
Resource building can eat up huge time Resource building can eat up huge time chunkschunks
Having a well split team will give amazing Having a well split team will give amazing resultsresults
Good team ratio:Good team ratio: (1-2 Programmers)(1-2 Programmers) (2-4 Artists)(2-4 Artists) (1-3 Designers)(1-3 Designers) (1-2 Sound Guys)(1-2 Sound Guys)
Mix of these talents is fine,Mix of these talents is fine,
such as an artist/soundsuch as an artist/sound
guy/designerguy/designer Bubble KongThe Olde Battleaxe – Pyweek #4 Team Winner
Gameplay Gameplay Puzzle, action, RPG, spelling challenge?Puzzle, action, RPG, spelling challenge?
Solid gameplay can make or break a gameSolid gameplay can make or break a game Fantastic art, great audio, and bad controls Fantastic art, great audio, and bad controls
can ruin a game!can ruin a game! Timer/no-timer?Timer/no-timer?
Games can be entertaining with or without a Games can be entertaining with or without a timertimer
Non-timing turn-based allows for strategyNon-timing turn-based allows for strategy Examples:Examples:
Timing: Dr. Mario, Tetris, Guitar HeroTiming: Dr. Mario, Tetris, Guitar Hero Turn-based: Final Fantasy Tactics, Chess, Othello Turn-based: Final Fantasy Tactics, Chess, Othello
Art, Audio & LevelsArt, Audio & Levels Large art resources can make a game Large art resources can make a game
greatgreat Take Megaman X as an exampleTake Megaman X as an example Enemies have same AI, same patterns, different Enemies have same AI, same patterns, different
art!art!
Music & sound effects enhance playMusic & sound effects enhance play Catchy music makes old-school memorable Catchy music makes old-school memorable Everyone knows Zelda!Everyone knows Zelda!
Strong level design keeps players goingStrong level design keeps players going Most judges will play a game Most judges will play a game
for for 30-9030-90 seconds seconds Its wise to have more than oneIts wise to have more than one
level designer in a team!!level designer in a team!!Death Tower
Cthulhu32 (me) – Pyweek #4
Time-ConstraintsTime-Constraints Gameplay & TestingGameplay & Testing
With so little time, its hard to judge “fun”With so little time, its hard to judge “fun” Post betas on Pyweek for others to give Post betas on Pyweek for others to give
feedbackfeedback Do not go for the “dream” features, go for Do not go for the “dream” features, go for
the essential functionality.the essential functionality. Determination to FinishDetermination to Finish
The last two days are the most stressfulThe last two days are the most stressful Don’t give up, showing something is better Don’t give up, showing something is better
than nothing!than nothing! Judging is purely for fun!Judging is purely for fun!
Putting it all togetherPutting it all together
SVN Control is vital for teamsSVN Control is vital for teams Everyone needs to be up to date!Everyone needs to be up to date! Lack of resources can ruin a projectLack of resources can ruin a project Artists need to see their work in-gameArtists need to see their work in-game
Keep timelines/diary entriesKeep timelines/diary entries Helps keep track of events/goalsHelps keep track of events/goals Make a checklist of things you wish to Make a checklist of things you wish to
accomplishaccomplish Sometimes non-vital gameplay aspects are Sometimes non-vital gameplay aspects are
removedremoved
Results!Results! Every entry is ranked by other Pyweek Every entry is ranked by other Pyweek
competitorscompetitors Ranked on Fun, Innovation, and ProductionRanked on Fun, Innovation, and Production Entries can be disqualified for unfair contentEntries can be disqualified for unfair content Updates are posted after judging endsUpdates are posted after judging ends
The Olde Battleaxe generally releases “Deluxe” The Olde Battleaxe generally releases “Deluxe” versions of their games after a Pyweekversions of their games after a Pyweek
Patches & Bug Fixes are veryPatches & Bug Fixes are very
common!common!
Disk FieldTigga – Pyweek #5 Solo Winner
Questions or Comments?Questions or Comments?
Feel free to contact me!Feel free to contact me!Luke ArntsonLuke Arntson
Work email: [email protected] email: [email protected]
Home email: [email protected] email: [email protected]
Side note: Leviathan Games is looking for testers & possible internship opportunities in the Boulder area. For more information, contact Wyeth Ridgway at [email protected]