Monday, September 24, 2007

Mentor Contacts

Conversations:

Date: 8/05/07
Question: Introduction to mentor.
Method: Face to face contact
Answers/Conclusions: On this date, I met an individual named Timothy Morgan, who I found to be a major in computer sciences. I informed him of my senior project and he seemed eager to learn more, since he had never heard of a high school student with such high school. I later asked if he would be willing to provide farther assistance via E-mail contact, to which he promptly agreed.

Date: 8/23/07
Question: General question about mentor’s knowledge of computer languages.
Method: E-mail contact.
Answer/Conclusions: My mentor described his familiarity with the C++ Language. He informed me of its widespread use in various fields, and due to its pliability would be ideal for video game design.

Date: 8/25/07
Question: I asked my mentor to recommend some research material on the C++ Language.
Method: E-mail contact.
Answer/Conclusions: I was presented with a series of books, including. This allowed me to go to the library in order to gather these materials, to gain some basis from which I could successfully create a computer program.

Date: 8/31/07
Question: What is the “Hello, World!” program?
Method: Email Contact
Answer/Conclusion: The “Hello, World!” program is a basic C/C++ exercise that one can complete to form a basic understanding of the language. It creates a window in your operating system that displays the text, “Hello, World!”. Since windows are the basic vessels of a program, this simple exercise will familiarize the user with the process. It is performed with the following string of code:

#include main()
{cout << "Hello World!"; return 0;}
Date: 10/14/07
Question: On this day, I asked about the best compilers that could be used to code in C++.
Method: E-mail
Answer/Conclusion: My mentor responded by providing me with several programs, including:
➢ Microsoft Visual C++
➢ Bloodshed Dev C++
➢ Borland C++
➢ Paradigm C++

Of the above choices, the best are Microsoft and Bloodshed, since both programs can be obtained for no cost.

Date: 10/20/07
Question: What alternate programming languages can be used along with C++
Method: E-mail
Answer/Conclusion: My mentor recommended a myriad of programs including Java and Flash.

Mentor Info

Student Name: Joseph DiMarco
Project Title: TSA Gaming Competition

Mentor Name: Timothy ******
Address: 21 ********** Rd.
New *******, ** *******
E-Mail Address: *************@******.com
Webblog Site: ????

Employer Name: ********* County
Address: 11 ********8 Rd.
******************
Phone: ********************

Position: Software Programmer
Job Description: Maintaining the city's database

How was the person located? Online.

Specs: Redux

Specifications:

  • The program will be written in C++ using Microsoft Visual C++
  • The program will utilize DirectX 9.0 “Direct3D”Ø Will be rendered in two dimensions using Sprites
  • Utilize MS Paint/Photoshop to create visual renderings
  • Program will be of superior quality for entry into TSA competition

Design Brief

To design and create a video game, to be entered into the corresponding TSA Competition in April of 2008.

Limits: Redux

Limitations:

  • Program must be completed by March 15, 2008
  • Project must make use of available programs
  • The skill level of creator
  • Game must be appropriate for a Teen - Mature audience but also must be appropriate for school.

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Works Cited

Aitken, Peter and Jones, Bradley L. SAMS Teach Yourself C: in 21 Days. Indianapolis: Fifth Edition, 2000

Bateman, Chris and Boon, Richard. 21st Century Game Design. New York: Charles River Media, 2005

Hansen, Augie. C Programming: A Complete Guide to Mastering the C Language. New York: Aaddison-Wesley, 1990.

Harbour, Jonathan S. Beginning Game Programming. Boston: Course PTR, 2005.

Vine, Michael. C Programming for the Absolute Beginner. New York: Thomson Course Technology, 2002.



Task Analysis

Task Analysis:

Cost - Time to complete

Aesthetics - Game will be composed of two-dimensional sprites to be animated. It must appear lifelike aenough to be engaging but not overly cmplex so as not to be comleted in time for the competition.

Function - To offer entertainment through hand-to-eye coordination, reflex, as well as logic based challenges to the player.

Quality - Not overly complex as to be impractical for more than one personto complete within the span of five months.

User - A teen to mature gamer. Must not be overly "sugar-coated" to be unengaging nor too extreme as to exceed the boundaries of classroom acceptability.

Environment - The game will be competing in a world laden with visually-stunning, corporate amalgamations and thus will exist as an amusing curiosity rather than a groundbreaking work.