Delphi Graphics and Game Programming Exposed! with DirectX For versions 5.0-7.0:The Lure of Game Programming
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New Arrivals
Delphi Graphics and Game Programming Exposed with DirectX 7.0
by John Ayres
Wordware Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 1556226373 Pub Date: 12/01/99
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Board and Card Games
Perhaps the most common category for casual game programmers, this category is composed of games that could be played with cards, dice, or similar real- world gaming instruments. Typically, they simulate well-known games such as chess, checkers, or poker. These games are typically the easiest for first- time game programmers to create, as they tend to have well-defined rules that translate into well-structured algorithms, and their graphical requirements are not as severe as those of other games. Games such as FreeCell and Monopoly are in this category.
Simulations
More a software toy than a game, these are applications that attempt to simulate some real-world process as precisely and accurately as possible. They tend to be very detailed, and while fun, typically require a long-term commitment from the player in order to obtain maximum gaming pleasure. This commitment is required in order to see the simulation grow from a beginning or newborn stage into a mature, elder stage. Games such as Sim City and Sim Tower fall under this category.
Windows, Delphi, and Games
It goes without saying that Windows 95/98 is the most popular platform for computer games. Delphi, as we’ve discussed, is as powerful and capable as C/C++ when it comes to making games (or any type of Windows application, for that matter). Given the fact that there are many open markets as yet untapped by the big names in the gaming industry, there exists a huge potential for the enthusiastic and dedicated Delphi game programmer to compete and make a profit. Although this book won’t show you how to design or market your game, it will show you the basics of game and graphics programming that will serve as a starting point for a future in game programming.
Summary
In this chapter, we discussed several aspects about game programming in general and Delphi in particular as it relates to game programming. When contemplating a game application concept or analyzing Delphi as a game development platform, it is important to keep these points in mind:
• As is true with just about anything in this world, the gaming industry comes with a light side and a dark side. There are many things about the gaming industry that would make most programmers cower in fear, yet there are just as many alluring attributes that serve as a powerful seduction towards pursuing a career in it. In general, the game programming industry is plagued by difficult learning curves, long hours, and an unstable business environment. However, programming games can be a lot of fun and very rewarding, and can earn the successful individual a substantial amount of notoriety and wealth.
• When most people hear about Delphi, they think of rapid database application development. They think of its uses in the corporate environment as a wonderful tool for making myriad database accessing applications, a task for which it is indeed well suited. However, in the game programming industry, the dominant language in the U.S. is C/C++. If the most important attributes for a language to be considered a viable game development platform are fast, natively executable code, true pointer access to memory, memory allocation, and access to operating system resources, Delphi easily meets or exceeds all of these requirements. Ultimately, Delphi is as capable a game development platform as any other language, including C/C++.
• As a whole, Delphi offers many advantages over other game development platforms. Every language has advantages and disadvantages over every other, which is why there are so many languages to choose from. In general, the Object Pascal language is much more readable than C/C++, and its strong typing typically results in decreased debug time. There are also many free resources available to the Delphi programmer, and several enthusiastic mailing lists, web sites, and organizations dedicated to helping Delphi programmers at all experience levels. Unfortunately, most of the current game programming knowledge exists in the form of C/C++ examples, requiring the potential Delphi game programmer to have at least a passing knowledge of C/C++ in order to grow and learn new game programming algorithms. Delphi programmers also typically do not have immediate access to new technologies introduced by Microsoft due to lack of type libraries and Object Pascal import units.
• The game programming industry is as competitive and hostile as the movie production industry. Venture capitalists and investors are quick to throw millions of dollars—more than $2.5 billion a year—at promising startups in hopes of grabbing a piece of the pie. Fortunately, the gaming industry is one of the few industries in which someone can compete from their garage or home office. Games such as Solitaire, Deer Hunter, and Tetris are very popular and successful, even though they don’t push the envelope of current technology. With the global distribution available in the form of the Internet, and third-party companies offering the ability to take credit card orders for your software (for a nominal fee or percentage), it is possible for even the most remote programmer to compete with the big boys. Untapped markets such as the homebound, children, women, and casual gamers represent a potentially huge opportunity for enterprising Delphi game programmers.
• There are almost as many game type categories as there are games. Limited only by the imagination of the programmer, a game can take literally any form, as long as it is entertaining and interactive. In general, games can be segregated into the following categories: real-time strategy, turn-based strategy, first-person shooters, adventure, action, puzzle, sports, board and card games, and simulations. Delphi is suited for creating games that fit into any of these categories.
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