Game coding contest on CodingMonkeys

[Michael Hartlef]

Hi folks,

at the CodingMonkeys community, they are holding a game coding contest:

http://www.codingmonkeys.com/index.php?topic=1777.0

Maybe this is a nice opportunity to work on your coding skills ( and promote thinBasic ;) ) .

Michael

[Petr Schreiber]

Hi Mike,

that is interesting. It would be nice to put together old TopDown team, but create something new, fresh, with both nice graphics, sound and music. And with complete design document on the begining :)

I don't know if you have 1.7.0.0 preview already, but I added TBGL_EntityGetAngle and TBGL_EntityGetDistance functions which might help with some UI design.


Petr

[Michael Hartlef]

Yes, that would be nice. But I'm not sure if a team could participate or if it is for individuals only.

I have the preview but didn't notice the new functions. Thanks for the info!

[Michael Hartlef]

I asked at CM if teams could participate and let you know when I have an answer.

[ErosOlmi]

Maybe TBGL working in a canvas area game.

[Simone]

Hi,

It's very intersting Idea.
I'm very attracted by the opportunity to partecipate.

Simone

[ErosOlmi]

... It would be nice to put together old TopDown team ...


:'( that spirit was great.

[Michael Hartlef]

Doooh, I'm so blind. It is stated that team entry are valid. So Petr, we could do it.

[ErosOlmi]

Because I can read the following from CM forum (http://www.codingmonkeys.com/index.php?topic=1777.0):

Entries must not have been released prior to the start of the competition.. (eg: you can't enter old codings that have been entered into other contests or distributed anywhere else including here on CodingMonkeys)

... I can create a private forum and a group team where users included in the group can work without breaking the above rule: no-one other the group team (and thinBasic community admins) will see the ongoing work. JUST LET ME KNOW.

Eros

[ErosOlmi]

Do you remember "thinStudio" team?

[Michael Hartlef]

Ok, then no TopDown but maybe something along the same lines. I would like to work either on

1) a 3D space shooter (where you fly inside the spacecraft)
2) a space explore/wisim thingy ala Master's of Orion
3) A WipeOut kind of racing game
4) An RTS (but without animation capabilities kinda difficult with TBGL atm)

and much more. So who's in?


Do you remember "thinStudio" team?

Eros, we would definately need a private forum then. But first let us see who is devoted to participate. And it could run under that name. :)

[ErosOlmi]

OK, count on me.
But because I'm not very good in 3D gaming and gaming dev in general, consider me for:

immediate fix any bug may be discovered
immediate development of any new neede functionality to achieve the target of the team
immediate setup in forum for any need
any other matter you will need
game testing


Eros

[Michael Hartlef]

Great! Eros "the immediate" Olmi ;D

[Simone]

Ok I'm in the group ;D

although I have not much experience I would try to help you if it's possible. :)

Ciao,
Simone

[Lionheart008]

hi all :)

first of all: VERY GOOD IDEA! :-) participate for this kind of contest...

why not: Catch the 'Gold medaille' with this engaged thinBasic TEAM ;D

my input: I can support/power you with ideas or

a) testing the game
b) making hints and good advices
c) as newbie how I can learn with such stuff

... with a daily good mood ;D

this group needs a special name... as "thinStudio team" ???

perhaps I can help... I would like to push you with positively forces,

lionheart

[Michael Hartlef]

@Lionheart008: Great. You forgot to mention, that you might be able to help with music and also could help with story writing!??!

@Simone: Great too. With what parts would you like to participate?

@all: Mainly we would need people in the following areas....

1) Coding... thinbasic but also maybe modules with other languages
2) Art... concept sketches, 2D art like gui graphics or images, 3D models or rendering, Desktop wallpapers, Font design, etc.
3) Music... background themes, intro music, sound effects (even when you click a menu button) voice overs, etc.
4) Story writing... setting a mood and a background for the game. Could be used for ingame scenes
5) Testing... we don't wanna enter a nonworking game.(that would be the nonegame category, or ? ;D )
6) im sure there is more to it...

[Petr Schreiber]

Hi,

that is perfect teams are allowed, so I am signing in :)

I can offer:

general programming
TBGL optimizations
adding features to TBGL for better speed as long as they would be not just project specific but with general use


I would like to say "and terrific game idea as well", but I am in idea crysis now.


Petr

[Simone]

Petr and Lionheart i' m very happy that you are in the team.

Michael: the part where I have more experience it's codifying with tbgl entity system, maybe i can help Petr in coding.
But may i can also apply in parts that team needs ;D.

This project is for me an opportunity to learn and improve :D

Ciao,
Simone

[Michael Hartlef]

This project is for me an opportunity to learn and improve :D


Correct. And you all should look at it like that. For fun and learning.

@Eros: Could you please create a new subforum with access for the people who showed their interest so far? There we can then start talking about ideas for the game.

@anybody else: If you would like to participate, then please raise your virtual voice. :)

[ErosOlmi]

@Eros: Could you please create a new subforum with access for the people who showed their interest so far? There we can then start talking about ideas for the game.

Added thinStudio forum in General category and added users that so far as asked to join it.
thinStudio forum is visible only to thinStudio users group.

If you have a nice ICON for the forum, please post it into thinStudio forum and I will use for the forum main page. Better if GIF colored icon.

Eros

[Michael Hartlef]

Thanks man!

[kryton9]

Thanks Mike for starting this and wow what a team you guys have so far, that is really great.
Count me in with anything you need. I would like to be part of the team but not anywhere near top ranks as sort of distracted now.
But I would love to contribute in anything that is needed. Go team Go!

[ErosOlmi]

Kent added to thinStudio team.
You should see a new forum called thinStudio in General category.

[Michael Hartlef]

Nice to have Kent on the board too. :)

[Lionheart008]

Good morning all ! :)

Yes, very good to see that Kent is in the red ferrari race boat too... :D

- thanks to mike manage the thinStudio forum...
- thanks to eros, push this idea and create the new subforum

best regards, roaring lionheart

[Michael Hartlef]

- thanks to mike manage the thinStudio forum...


Np Franko, just wanted to get the ball rolling. But I don't need to stand infront of the crowd. If someone wants to lead all this then I'm happy to step aside. :)

[Cameron]

You guys do realise that there aren't many prizes yet.. and that there will only be one of them per entry whether it be team or individual eg: there would be only one web hosting package awarded to the team.. (if you win that is) not one for eachmember of the winning team so you'd also need to think of a name etc..

but then again if you don't win you wouldn't need to worry .. (Joke..)

[ErosOlmi]

Hi cameron,

we have already setup a team group named "thinStudio" and an hidden forum visible only to the team members.

We are already talking each other about kind of game, tools to be used, game play, game strategy, media meterial, ... every member has offered his time in different areas of competence. So all stuff needed to start. And this is already great fun. What other prize do you think we need other than be together and have fun with what we like so much: programming, gaming and good friendship? Yes, of course if there will be some prizes, bet we will try to win them ! (not a joke ;))

Ciao
Eros

[Michael Hartlef]

Cameron,

I don't care for the prize. I see it more like an opportunity to get a finished game done in 4 months, learn about project work, working in a team and stuff like that. Most important is the fun factor but there could also be comming new functionality to thinBasic because of this project. And never less, it might drag other people to thinbasic once they see what it can do when it is in the right hands.

Michael

[ErosOlmi]

Forgot to say:

if someone would like seriously (making a game is a serious effort ;) ) give some of his/her spare time in the project, just ask here and he/she will be added in the thinStudio team and able to access thinStudio hidden forum (the place where thinStudio team is discussing about projects).

Regards
Eros

[Petr Schreiber]

Hi,

I am also happy this competition raised impulse for new ThinBasic game.
The games already done were based on older technology, this new one could be good successor.


Petr

[kryton9]

I agree with what Mike and Eros said about the prize, the prize-- is the fun of working on a team for a fun project like this.

Thanks for having the contest Cameron, a great idea and addition to the Coding Monkeys Forum.

[Michael Clease]

I dont know what time I will have but If you want some input from time to time I am willing to help when and where possible.

I do have a couple of gigs worth of texture files if someone is lookng for something.

[Lionheart008]

:) hi dear abraxas, kent, petr, cameron, michael... all others...

I have thought for a while about something like a money donation or a golden cup to win ;)

- but...my private prize should be to learn a lot:) that's enough motivation for me... see also other posts here... I agree with the content to learn, have fun and working in a team:)

- yes, of course, thinBasic will get a development (impulses) kick for games and new thinbasic versions... or things like tutorials... and positively advertising for thinbasic :D

- I am nearly a thinbasic newbie and catch the chance to learn with this tools... perhaps there is more than to learn even get closer in contact to the friendly users here... :D

salve, lionheart

ps: A new game to develop in 4 month, that's a hard job? the usual way is one year? I have no experience with it... :o

[ErosOlmi]

I dont know what time I will have but If you want some input from time to time I am willing to help when and where possible.
I do have a couple of gigs worth of texture files if someone is lookng for something.

Added

[Michael Hartlef]

ps: A new game to develop in 4 month, that's a hard job? the usual way is one year? I have no experience with it... :o


Sure it is. But it depends strongly on some factors:

- The team members have to be serious and motivated about it. If they get sidetracked to much, then this will probably not work.
- The game type and game features. If we would run for an adventure game with 100 scenes and corresponding artwork, then I would say forget about it. If we go for an easy to develop game with lets say 3-5 reusable levels, and maybe a multiplayer mode, then I say it is definately possible. It needs a good design. Things have to written down before the actual work is starting. Ok, some generic things can be worked on allready. But if we have no path or don't follow it, then we won't finish in time. I did a kind of test if it is possible for me to create a very small game part time in 3 weeks. It is. But it needs commitment.

[ErosOlmi]

For those having access to thinStudio hidden forum ...

I've added a CountDown javascript at the top of the page showing time remaining till CM contest 2009 will be over.

Just a little automatic pusher/remainder ;D

[Michael Hartlef]

For those having access to thinStudio hidden forum ...

I've added a CountDown javascript at the top of the page showing time remaining till CM contest 2009 will be over.

Just a little automatic pusher/remainder ;D



You bad guy ;D

[Simone]

aahhh.

Thanks Eros for the pusher ;D

Simone

[Petr Schreiber]

Thanks for that counter,

it is very useful and little scary :)


Petr

[Lionheart008]

Hi all:)

@michael:

If we go for an easy to develop game with lets say 3-5 reusable levels, and maybe a multiplayer mode, then I say it is definately possible.

such things sounds good for me, great! I am curious to see what models coming up...

@eros:
I am grinning about the countdown... good idea! and it will give us a kick more to push the game development :) when the countdown will be finished the lately new year 2009 (in january '09) fireworks start? ;D

nice day to all the thinStudio, lionheart

[ErosOlmi]

Please, from time to time chech COM contest post at http://www.codingmonkeys.com/index.php?topic=1777.0
Cameron has found more sponsors and updated contest info.

Thanks Cameron.
Eros

[ISAWHIM]

I know we got-off on the wrong foot, and I am still with a club-foot...

But can I take a gander at the project, and see if there is anything productive that I may be able to contribute?

Beyond codes, I am an artist, and a 3D developer. (Nothing super-spectacular, but I am well abled.)

As for my code, beyond the individual procedures, I can usually find ways to fine-tune things for speed, or unique ways to handle similar situations. (Eg, I might be able to provide method, or simple grunt-work optimization.)

P.S. I have no interest in the prize or the credits... Just participation, and insight to how this code works. (ThinBASIC code.)

[ErosOlmi]

You are now member of thinStudio group.
You should be able to see thinStudio forum.

Ciao
Eros

[Michael Hartlef]

Eros, I think we are pretty much complete now. As long noone will cancel their participation we should not take anymore into the team.

Jason, we have a very good working team there. I welcome you there but please remember what I wrote here before. Respect!

I don't wanna see other team members leaving because of a strange comment. So when you post, read it again before you press the send button. I have to write this here because I allready got warned that team members might leave if you act up.

[ErosOlmi]

Michael,

if there will be any problem, I can always rearrange it. Just let me know.

thinStudio team is a nice group of people kind each other, respecting each individualities and working hard to achieve targets (even if targets are just for fun). A kind of "auto controlled" brain storming is always running in the group and usually it brings a nice motivation and creates new features both to the project and to thinBasic itself.
Any interference will not be suffered.

Regards
Eros