Language Choice Part 2

Derek has finalized the decision on the language choice, we will be using C# and XNA. I am happy about this because of having tried XNA before and thought it was easy to create games with.

C# final decision with XNA MM

Today we have finalised the decision to program Space Invaders in C# using XNA. We are very happy with this decision because we already have a completed version of space invaders using XNA. We have moved on to stage two this week, we have analised the risks of the project and listed possible action if any of the risks happen. We will soon be assessed and start writing the user requirements.

Corleone Diaries 18/09/2009 WB

Just a mention about the Perforce PV.4 version control. This really is a good version control package for us to have as it allows different persons to use the same source files whilst at the same time It isolates work that is not ready to be shared by the rest of the project. Also each time content is changed and checked back into a content management system, a copy of the content is saved and its identifier (version number) is incremented to indicate its difference from the previous copy.

Corleone Diaries 16/09/2009 WB

This week went really well, with our team keeping ourselves on schedule. Firstly we had a discussion on quality priorites in relation to our game project from a list of fourteen requirements. After a group discussion we came up with what we felt were the top six requirements these being the following;

1. Simplicity
2. Understandability
3. Usability
4. Playability
5. Consistency
6. Originality

The results of our discussion and subsequent list was borne out y the other two groups whose top nine answers were the same but in a slightly different numerical order, allied to the top 4 answers being very much the same.

We also had a management discussion and it was decided to assign John Stewart as Software Assurance Manager (SAM). I feel this was a goood appointment as it brings John into the project and gives him a sense of belonging into our class instead of just being a helping hand.

The last thing to mention is that 'Don' Michael and his sidekick 'Il profosore' Ashley (Corleone Clan) managed to get the Perforce PV.4 version control up and running along with our Tutor extrodinaire Derek 'The Brain' Peacock.

Language Choice

After a debate with the whole class, we have decided to program the game in C#. This is because that most of the class prefered to use Visual Studio 2008 than Netbeans. Other advantages of Visual Studio 2008 over netbeans are :

• It is installed on all of the machines
• XNA support
• Friendly Interface
• Detailed error checking

However there are advantages for netbeans over Visual studio, which are:

• It is multi platform
• Can run in a web browser
• The code can be printed to HTML
• Derek knows Java better than C#

Last week we decided roles for each team member, first we listed 10 qualities a good team leader should have then decided who we think would best fit that role.
We decided on a good team leader needs to be;

Organized
Good at keeping dealings
Experienced with software
Motivational skills
Experienced with planning
Creative Outlook
Communication Skills
Good social skills
Punctuality
Good co-ordination skills

We decided that I should be the team leader. Ashley is now web master and Wayne is Secretary.

At class last Thursday night our team Topaz (Team consists of Wayne, Ashley and Michael) after a discussion on who would be the project manager selected Michael as project manager. This was based on his ability and communication skills. We also discussed which programme language and which game project we would like to work on. In the end we decided on C# as the language and Space Invaders as the game.

2D Game choices

The options that have been discussed for the final 2D game include;

• Frogger
• Snake
• Space invaders
• Breakout

Snake

We first decided snake might be the simplest choice of game because there is only one moving sprite however once the snake has eaten a block it must add a block to its length which could cause a problem. I also think it would be a harder choice because the snake moves automatically and you change the direction and the body must follow the first block. We have decided against this game.

Advantages

• Simple design
• Simple game play
• Small game
• Few sprites

Disadvantages

• Difficult code
• Few additional features

Frogger

Frogger was suggested but I think with several different moving sprites at different speeds and a multi-directional sprite (frog) there would be a lot of code. The game might also include a random function which takes up move time. I think frogger was too big of a game to complete in the time scale while learning a new language.

Advantages

• Creative images
• Interesting game play
• Many extras
• Few sprites
  

Disadvantages

• Lots of code
• Lots of different sprites
• Copy write
• Repetitive game play

Breakout

Breakout was suggested to be an easy game to write however we could not think of many features you could add to create a more interesting game. I think the movement of the ball alone would take time to perfect and making it bounce off a moving platform I think would cause further problems. We also struggled to think of any additional features to enhance the game.

Advantages

• Simple game
• Attractive layout
• High score challenge
• Few sprites

Disadvantages

• Scoring code

Space Invaders

We have decided that space invaders is the best choice of game, we know it is not the simplest game but because of the duplication of images and code I think we can complete a simple game in the time given and enhance it without too much effort. By making a simple game we can add several features which will improve the game play without taking up much time.

Advantages

• Interesting game
• Duplicate code
• Lots of simple extras to add
• Simple graphics
• Left and right keys only
• Interchangeable colours, spaceships and background
• Easy score feature

Disadvantages

• Lots of moving sprites

We have decided as a group to create space invaders as a 2D game because it seems to have more advantages and less disadvantages than the other game choices.