Introduction to Development Articles

From Pong to Platformers – An Introduction to Game Physics – Part 4 {06-21-2009}

Acceleration for Better Goomba Stomping So now we understand positioning an object on a screen, moving the object around using the principles of velocity, and how to handle collisions with walls and other simple objects. While we can do quite a lot with these simple fundamentals, there is one more that is key to modeling [...]

From Pong to Platformers – An Introduction to Game Physics – Part 3 {06-21-2009}

Thinking Inside the Box However, now that we have movement, we run into an issue. When we think of a classic video game, we think of boundaries, such as the edge of the screen, or floors/walls/ceilings, or other objects. In many games, such as platformers, these boundaries will stop the object from moving. In games [...]

From Pong to Platformers – An Introduction to Game Physics – Part 2 {06-21-2009}

Velocity Velocity is a fancy word for speed with a particular direction. Going 88 MPH would be speed. Going north at 88MPH would be velocity. But forgetting the direction component for a moment, speed is measured in distanced traveled over time. For example, when we say 88 Miles per Hour, we’re saying the object is [...]

From Pong to Platformers – An Introduction to Game Physics – Part 1 {06-21-2009}

Before we get started, I feel the need to point out that this entry will in no way even begin to approach the territory of being comprehensive in the study of video game physics. This is targeted toward those who have little background in physics and is very much a starter tutorial. In general, the [...]

An Introduction to Recursion {12-22-2008}

I remember the first time I formally encountered recursion – it was sophomore year of high school and I was watching as my CS teacher, Mr. Kendall Chun, was explaining how instead of using loops, a function could repeatedly perform an action by calling itself. The concept at the time just completely blew me away. [...]

What Language to Choose, What Compiler to Use? {03-18-2008}

Whether you’re completely new to programming, or have been out of the game for so long that you’re completely lost, an important first step in becoming a coder is choosing your first language. While it is true that learning the principles behind Computer Science is what is truly important, in practice one needs a way [...]

Play Adventure Games, Be a Better Programmer {03-09-2008}

> Open trapdoor > Go down > Turn on lantern I can’t count the number of times I typed the sentences above on my faithful Commodore 64 immediately after getting home from school every weekday afternoon. An explanation to the uninitiated: these simple statements were a way of communicating with a style of game known [...]