Dr. Longman`s News #00

Программирование

Games - How to write a computer game.

               How to write a computer game.


                      / PRO-GAME 4-95 /



    Games Industry is a very young field
show business. In it there is no gray-haired professional
and there is no school where it taught.


    As befits a young industry, it is experiencing rapid
growth. Each year there are games that have baffled even
experienced - is this possible? Yes, perhaps this is not
limit - in the near future, all we meet with even more
surprising, imaginative games.


    It makes no sense to give detailed advice on
programming in a rapidly progressing field, because they
so quickly become outdated. In the INTERNET on this subject
areas are usually arranged teleconference, where the
discussion generated files with the answers to FAQ (Frequency
Asked Questions - Frequently Asked Questions). Poprobyem and we
answer questions frequently asked about
creating computer games.


    Today, we try to understand how the game is born. In
The next issue we are together with the readers look at the
the process of direct creation.

The initial stage of the game.


    Q: What date for the developer is happy birthday
game?


    Answer: In contrast to the millions of gamers, who, though
and know that computer games do not grow on trees, but little
currently represent the process of creation, game developers, 
snaya vsyukuhnyu inside will tell you the dates of birth of the 
game few.



    The first date is usually associated with the emergence of 
design games, the second date - this is when the script is 
ready, and finally the third and primary day - is when the team 
is going and down to work.



    Whoever came up with the idea of ​​the game, rarely gets
remuneration. To do this, still need to bring to its embodiment 
in metal, and more precisely in the thinnest layer of aluminum 
on the surface Disk CD-ROM. Very rarely, but nevertheless the 
case that the main thing in game - it's come up with an idea. 
For example the much-loved old game ARCANOID - a computer 
variation on the theme of famous board games, just like Tetris 
- is a freestyle fantasy on the theme of falling rain in the 
form of pentamino. But more often entire idea of ​​the game 
must be put in the script - it is such document reading that 
you can imagine the game itself. In companies producing games 
that are professionally engaged in writers, young teams do 
programmers or Artists in combination and sometimes get a very

good result. Of course, between the script and the game is
a huge gap. And finally, when the working group meets
entirely and goes to work - this is the present day
birth, which, as expected, it should be noted champagne.



    Q: Who can be a project manager?


    A: It depends on the size of the working group. Until 
recently, were typical of the team of 4-7 people. In this case, 
direct project is one of the programmers or artists.



    Now the group have a tendency to increase and
managing such a team requires the project manager.
If the game requires a large amount of programming
(Strategy, real-time simulators), it is best to
manager's role will suit an experienced programmer, the task
which also includes the design of the game's code (but not
programming!). For priklyuchenchevkih, role and training
games, where large amount of graphic material, optimalznym
seems, if this work will lead writer or
the main artist. Special gift should have the head
in the manufacture of sports simulator games, interactive
movie or a three-dimensional shooter. Besides the head pulls
on myself and all the organizational problems. But it's so long
until the state does not exceed 15-20 people. At this point you 
can boldly entered the post of producer or director.



    Many useful things you can podcherpnut from the film 
industry. Young computer entertainment industry actively uses

positive experience in the adult film industry, and possibly in
future (you never know!) even swallow the last one.


    Q: What is the competition scenarios?


    A: In large firms producing computer games,
there is an unwritten rule: Scripting Games to be
more than produced games. And although the development of the 
script which is then placed on a "shelf", spent an additional

funds, the firm pays for these costs due to the fact that each
just choose the best of scenarios. Of course, on the basis of
a good script can make a bad game, but much
difficult to make a good game based on the mediocre
scenario.


                       Alexander County, Director of Development

                       company "Nikita".


                                       (To be continued)

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  C O M M E N T A p and D r. L o n g m a n 'a


    Firstly my apologies to the Chief Editor
Log PRO-GAME Mrs. Everett Rukhin, a brazen violation of
Copyright and reprint articles from it. But to get your
written agreement does not seem possible to me. (How?
Network based on the ZX-SPECTRUM? A what kind of Spectrum?
etc.) Are you with me not going to even talk. But at the same
Hundreds of people in need of information not being able to
buy your expensive magazine. And many do not even know that such
exists. You see, I have you at the same time give the ad. So 
that ethical point of view, my actions are pure. But Mr Parish,

I think, for me not offended.



   Now, strictly speaking comments:


   About the birth.


    It would not hurt to mention the fourth date, start date
official distribution. For all users, namely
it is a real birthday of the program. For example,
for my birthday WINDOWS'95 is 8-th of September, rather than
mid-1994. Day as the beginning of the general operations - this
excuse me, the day of conception, not birth. Well, champagne 
can be even celebrate each day of development.



   Over the head.


    It's all very well, I want only to emphasize the fact
that there should be once and for all certain functionary.
Those who cope with the conduct of the quest, can kill a 
simulator. In my opinion, for each project needs its own 
people, who future offspring would have doted and completely 
"laid out" for him. Only in this way and get a true masterpiece.



   About the competition scenarios.


    All limbs "FOR". " This idea would be nice to everyone
adopt. By the way, here's to all of you, my dear, the sentence:
as ready to distribute scripts sorry for those who can
organize the exchange of ideas. If you invented something, but
doubt that the "pull", send your ideas in the form
small text files on the BBS. And there too close to
"World game" idea which has recently poured a bucket of cold
water "INFORKOME. You can collect coders, artists,
musicians and have done it ....



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