Gamedev Events Around the World

krisjanis  GameDev  , ,  Leave a comment

HTML5 game developers need to be immersed within the culture. It is all well and good to understand the programming but due to the constant evolution within the industry, it is critical that any aspiring professional seek the counsel of other like-minded individuals. Traditionally speaking, and still the norm, is the participation in conferences and other events held around the world. While there are many great game development conferences, here are a few exceptional ones.

HTML5Devconf

This conference is held yearly in the San Francisco area. The HTML5 conference boasts to have the largest meeting of programmers, developers, software engineers, and leading technologies than any other conference held throughout the year. Focusing mainly on the programming language and technologies around HTML5, the conference has attracted both game developers as well as computer developers such as Intel.

For game developers, the HTML5Devconf provides an avenue for understanding the technologies which are emerging in the year to come. You should be aware that this conference is not primarily focused on game development but on HTML and web based coding and technologies.

For more information about this conference visit www.html5devconf.com .

Ongamestart HTML Game Conference

While many conferences are focused on the programming or the execution of the game development, there are few conferences, which are totally oriented to the game developer. This conference is held in Poland and not in the United States, China, or one of the other major centers for game development, so there are still questions as to whether or not gamer developers will flock to Poland for this first ever major gaming conference.

The gaming conference is scheduled for March 2015. Although details are few, you can learn more at: http://www.ongamestart.com/

GDC

The GDC, or Game Development Conference, is another one of the major world conferences held for game developers within the San Francisco area. The conference is one of the most well-known in the world for game developers. The GDC has become the industry-standard for game developers looking to obtain information, new technologies, and practical strategies to implement in the following year.

If you cannot attend the GDC annual conference, there are many summits, which are offered throughout the year at various locations and on various topics. It is highly encouraged that any serious game developer become part of the GDC, in an effort to better understand the industry.

More information about the GDC can be found at www.gdconf.com

ComicCon

Overlooked by many gamers are the aspects of the game development, which are not found within a gaming conference. Take for example the leading games on the market are based off of comic books, graphic novels, or movies. You have only to look at the booming market (dominated primarily by Marvel comics) to understand that this is a critical influencer in game development.

ComicCon is the leading comic book conference in the world. Every year thousands of people flocked to the conference in order to see the latest trends in the graphic and visual storytelling world. As a game developer this information can help you get the upper hand on what trends are going to be set for the next year. Furthermore, understanding the stylistic qualities of the graphics which are coming out and associating your game’s visuals with those characteristics will greatly enhance the odds of you producing a successful game.

SIGRAPH

One of the most beneficial conferences for anyone within the technology, animation, HTML, or gaming industry would be the SIGRAPH conference. The conference is held every year in the California area; however the conference has been known to have summits in other locations throughout the world.

The industries top professionals at this conference give both training and lectures. From Apple computers to the implementation of Nvidia technologies into the latest games, a game developer can clearly see the advantage of attending this conference. What’s greater still is that SIGRAPH is the primary conference for technology developers to test out new product designs and technologies with members of the game development, HTML, technology, and software community prior to being released to the public. Understanding where the market is in a shift prior to it happening is definitively a strategy for any successful game developer.

While these are only a few of the many conferences held throughout the world, you would be wise to seek out conferences (even if they are only speeches from a local college or graphic artists guild) in order to obtain a broader scope of your understanding of the gaming and HTML industry.

Books Essential for HTML5 Game Development

krisjanis  Javascript  , ,  5 Comments

Game development technologies are constantly evolving. Where you might of been a master in a particular field in the past, you can quickly start to question the simplest tasks as technology continues to change. Therefore it is crucial to always be reading and learning about your craft.

At the moment, it is critical to have a firm grasp upon HTML5 principles and specific game development procedures. Having a core understanding in HTML 5 as well as CSS (and perhaps a little bit of JavaScript) will greatly help you in your game development career as we progress through the 21st Century.
There are many amazing books that will help you stay up to date on this fairly new gaming development platform. Here is a list of the few more important ones that we recommend you pick up for your library.

HTML, XHTML, and CSS Bible

HTML Programming

When making HTML5 games, you need to know HTML. If you’re like many people just getting started in the game development you may have very little to no knowledge about how HTML is constructed for functions. HTML, XHTML, and CSS fourth edition Bible by Stephen M. Schafer covers all aspects of HTML from head elements to dynamic HTML CSS and everything in between.

What is great about this book is that this establishes a core from which any game developer can branch out. The book is not software specific, so you are learning how to incorporate HTML5 into any software. This goes a long way in today’s game development world where software is constantly changing but the principles remain.

Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide (Big Nerd Ranch Guides)

Creating Android Games

The majority of games created for mobile devices are based on Android programming. There are several reasons for this, however, the easiest explanation is that Android platforms are in high abundance and therefore supply and demand requires more products to cover the market base. In Android Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide the book lays down the methodology used in programming android games. They break it down in a simple process so that both the novice and the professional can get a firm grasp on the concept presented. The book covers not only HTML5 concepts but also how to integrate your game within the Android program.

HTML5 Games: Creating Fun with HTML5, CSS3 and WebGL

Developing HTML5 Games

Graphic designers and artists may perceive game programming as being somewhat technical and dull in comparison to other animation and multimedia options. This is not the case, however, and in the book HTML 5 games: creating fun with HTML 5, CSS3, and Web GL the emphasis is given to the fun and creative side of game development with HTML5.

Since the book is specifically oriented to mobile game development, the reader will be more capable of creating Phaser Framework based games, HTML5 games, and highly interactive games for mobile devices. The book even helps prepare the reader for team management and delegation of tasks within the game development process.

The Animators Survival Kit

Creating Game Animations

Have you ever wondered why some games look realistic and others don’t? There are some games where the characters are especially fluid while another games the characters look choppy and the movements look fake. The reason for the latter has to do with not giving the animation side the attention it deserves. Richard William’s book The Animators survival Kit has long been the industry standard when it comes to animation and creating characters for your game.

By understanding the principles of animation (such as squash and stretch or follow through) the game will have a more fluid look and feel. Also, by understanding how a character is intended to move, the HTML5 can be coded in such a way as to ensure the best results for your character and user action.

Core HTML5 Canvas: Graphics, Animation, and Game Development (Core Series)

HTML5 Programming

For those of you who prefer to read instructions and learning material from a more Scholastic point of view, then Core HTML5 Canvas by David Geary is for you. The book approaches HTML5 in the same manner that one could expect Game Development 101 in college would. The principles and the foundations are laid down but it’s done so in a tactical manner and without much of the glamour and glitz that you see in other books. The book is extremely helpful for those whom are transitioning from the design world to the technical world

These are just a few of the books that you can find on HTML 5. There are many more books, which are available on game development, HTML 5, CSS, JavaScript, and animation to help you with becoming an expert in game development. When doing research, it is always best to assess the weakest area in your understanding of a particular subject and then to build upon and strengthen that weakness.

Of course, a foundation in HTML is essential before you begin doing this. Apart from these books which can be found on Amazon.com, you are encouraged to seek out any information you may find useful to help you in your game development whether that be in a book, an online video, or structured instruction. The key is to never stop learning. Continue to evolve or else you run the risk of waking up one day and not recognizing the world around you.

Top 10 Games Based on the Phaser Framework

krisjanis  Games  ,  6 Comments

As a game developer, it is always great to have a bit of inspiration when starting a project. Whether you are making a retro game such as centipede or a newer game such as diner dash, seeing how other game developers have tackled user interactivity and functionality will help you in your own game development. Here are 10 of our favorite games which are based upon the Phaser framework.

# 10. Pong and Variations of It

Perhaps the most classic of all games is the game that started it all. Pong has been mimicked and enhanced millions of times by game developers. The basic principle remains, don’t lose the ball. Where some have also added in extra graphics and enhancements, a game developer seldom fails when going with the Pong design.

#9. Labyrinth

A game collection would not be complete without a maze/puzzle game. Labyrinth is your typical get the circle into the hole type of game. You have a bright blue marble like character which has to get to a duller blue circle (hole). The game functions by tilting the mobile device and therefore rolling the ball to the desired location. Be careful, touching a black circle ends the game.

#8. Wolfblood

This game was developed around the TV show “Wolfblood”. Normally, I try to stay away from the game based on the movie which is based on the book which is based on the comic type of thing, but this game is really engaging. What is particularly ideal for this game is the different screens within the game. There is the navigation map, the RPG type of interface, and then there is the gameplay. For a phaser framework game, this is quite a complex game. As one may guess, Wolfblood is centered around the werewolf hype.

#7. Sky Legend

A classic game of racing that incorporates dragons. Sky Legend makes the Phaser framework game list due to the graphics and the structure of the game. Much like a typical racing game, the sky legend has replaced the car with a dragon graphic. Like racing games of the past, one has to avoid obstacles and (of course) try to finish the race within time.

#6. Honda Fit Challenge

The Honda fit challenge, is not a fitness game as the name suggest. It is a driving and parking game. The game requires both hands to navigate your Honda around the screen. Once a parking space is found, you have to parallel park without hitting anything. Sound easy? You may find this a bit more difficult than it sounds. With a very retro look, Honda Fit Challenge offers the complexity of modern gaming with the “throw back” look of 80’s gaming.

#5. Sort Bird

If you like Angry birds and puzzle games, then this is an inspirational game for you. This Phaser framework game definitively has the graphic similarities to the popular angry bird characters. However, the birds are in tile form. Sort Birdx gives the user a set of birds and a set number of moves. It is the user’s job to get the bird to the nest within the number of moves provided. Complete with the nests and the large stars which (again) are typical of the angry birds market, this game shows how a popular game can be mimicked and modified to provide a new and entertaining game without being redundant.

#4. Master of Arms: Sword, Staff, Spear

Addicting games has created a fast paced action game. The graphics are what really sell the game. As you will note, the game is designed around a series of “enemies” which must be defeated. These graphics appear on the screen and the user is given the option to defeat them with a sword, staff, and spear. All three of these weapons are located at the bottom of the user interface and remain present during the game. In other words there is only 3 buttons, which control the entire game. Like any great action game of this sort, as you progress the characters come at the screen faster. Reaction time is the key for this game.

#3. INTS

Simple yet engaging, INTS encourages the user to push those mental skills to the limit. Specifically, the game targets math and critical thinking skills. INTS focuses on giving the user a set of 4 numbers which they must add or subtract to get a specific answer (for example 5593 must be added or subtracted to get the number 1).
Design wise, the game has a very modern look. The numbers are placed upon scrabble like tiles, the formula which you construct is displayed in a calculator like box, and the keys are easily manipulated.

#2. Runner Fox

If you thought that all Phaser framework games had to have a minimalistic style, then Runner Fox by Numidia Games is sure to inspire you. The game is based upon feeding a fox. It is a typical platform game (meaning that you go from a graphic platform to another graphic platform) yet disguised somewhat by the merger of the platforms to form a sort of tier graphic. The point of the game is to collect meat while avoiding the rocks and other obstacles. This game was chosen because of the high level of the graphics as well as the user interactivity.

# 1. [115]

This game was chosen not for the name (which could use a bit of enhancement), but for the wonderful association with the game asteroid. For those of us who spent hours upon hours at the arcade playing this classic, the 115 proves to bring that game into the mobile world. Notice the use of primary shapes mixed with a dynamic foreground and frame to the game. This tie has made the game both relevant for the older gamer as well as the newer target audience.

Regardless of the type of game which you are developing, you would do well to look into various games which are on the market. For one, if you develop games then more than likely you are a gamer. Secondly, by knowing the competition you know what sells and what fails. Finally, games give inspiration. Where you may be stuck in an area of development another game may have the solution. So look and see what Phaser games are available and game on.

 

Animation editor

guntis  Animations, Editor  , , , , ,  8 Comments

We have pushed a new update to MightyEditor. Beside minor bugfixes the most important feature is keyframes based animation editor. From now on you can switch from spritesheet animations and create much more smoother tween animations. Reduce file size and add more skins to character. Add animated user interface.

There are 2 different timelines: one big – for project in general, second one seperate for objects. If you want to create the game – you won’t need main timeline as it meant more for a movie clip creation.

Check out a tutorial how this works: http://mightyfingers.com/tutorials/animation-editor/animation-basics/

character_body_parts_animation_editor

Adding movie through code editor:

var character = mt.create("character");
mt.createTweens(character);
character.mt.movies.run.start() // assuming you have animation named "run"

In this case movie.run is special TweenCollection instance – bascially array of tweens that starts playing at the same time
atm. TweenCollection has only start / stop / pause / resume methods.

Recently Phaser had update to 2.2 where tweens have been improved very much and has built-in support for timeline. We are going to have new version of phaser in next update. Currently editor uses 2.07 version and projects can use any 2.0 – 2.1 version – by default projects have same version as the editor.

Another changes:

  • All new projects will start with a demo state ( js/state/demo.js )
  • Added rotation and “move anchor” (actually it moves group while keeps children in a place) gizmos for a group object
  • Now it’s possible to add children to the sprites in the objects panel
  • Added grid opactiy option
  • Added keyboard shortcuts 1-5 for tools: 1 – select tool, 2 stamp tool.. etc
  • Added cmd + S – as “save file” in source editor for osX users

Changes in mt.helper API:
mt.create will now return phaser object – sprite / group / tilemap layer – depends what you have created in the map editor
now all mighty editor data will be assigned to the created sprite as mt property. e.g.

var character = mt.create("character");
character.mt // from now on all editor data will be here

mt object structure:
{
   self: // refernece to the Phaser object
   data: // data used to create the Phaser object
   children: // cildren objects tree
   movies: // movies created
}

mighty_game_editor_background