Tutorials

HELP WANTED!

This tutorial section is incomplete. And as much as I enjoy writing them, I really don't have time to finish them in the near future. So if you feel like you can help either by extending an existing tutorial or creating a new one, your contribution would be greatly appreciated.

How to write games - Part 1

 Tom Mulgrew

Aimed at introducing the complete beginner to programming, from a games point of view.

Part 1 introduces you to concepts such as:

  • Simple computer animation
  • Timing
  • Player input
  • Game rules
  • Simple collision detection

And basic programming concepts like:

  • Program flow
  • Variables
  • Conditional statements

While building a simple space invaders like game with text for graphics.

I hope to build this tutorial into a series, which continues building on simple techniques up to complete 2D smooth scrolling sprite based games.

How to write games - Part 2

 Part two of the series introduces the powerful concept of:
  • Arrays

And how to use them to create more complex games and animations with many moving objects.

It then applies these concepts to the simple space invaders like game extending it with:

  • Multiple aliens
  • That shoot back :)

Beginner's Game Programming Tutorial

 Pablo Lessa

A well written set of tutorials where the user is required to fill in the blanks to complete simple yet fun games. Aimed at the beginner.

"I started writing a game programming tutorial for beginners but my university courses took a higher priority and I won't be able to finish it in the near future.  I've already completed 6 simple games with corresponding text.  I was hoping maybe you can post it and somebody might volunteer to complete it"

The tutorials were written for Basic4GL version 1, but run equally well on version 2 (so long as it is v2.1.2 or above).

Please feel free to add to these tutorials. To share your contributions, you can email Tom Mulgrew , or post them in the discussion forum.
Note that some of the Basic4GL limitations referred to by the tutorials have been resolved in version 2 (e.g. 2D array support.)

An Introduction to OpenGL 3D Programming Using Basic4GL

 Tom Mulgrew

An OpenGL tutorial especially written for Basic4GL.
The first part of what will hopefully grow into a complete comprehensive OpenGL tutorial. Aimed at the OpenGL beginner.