I’m back again. I know it’s been a while.
It’s easy to say the blog is back for good now, but keeping to that is going to be tougher. First of all, I want to thank the people that emailed or messaged me prompting me to write again. I’m going to try my utmost to write regularly, and if I don’t, I encourage everyone to yell at me until I do. I have no idea how people with blogs that have lasted years manage to keep this up, suffice to say I’m impressed.
There will however be a few changes around here. I’m going to aim to write shorter posts several times a week, just to make sure I am writing something. When deadline time approaches I wont have much time to write articles but if I am used to giving shorter reflections then I should be able to keep up.
You may also notice the new theme. There are still a few kinks to work out but I think it’s far more professional and also much simpler than the previous theme. And of course, less pink. If you have any thoughts or suggestions about it, I’d love to here from you – just drop me a comment below.
Last time I blogged, I wrote about the ‘insane project’ I had planned. This was referring to my ideas for a piece of PS2 Coursework which actually turned out to be very successful. I wont say it went without a hitch, but I did get it completed by the deadline without preventing me finishing my other coursework too, so overall I’m very pleased with the result. I’m not really sure how to attempt to capture a video of it but as soon as I work it out, I’ll stick it up here.
You might also notice I’ve made some separate space for my projects on this website. I guess you’ll be glad to know that I have written more than four programs during my time at university, but I’m trying to offer a selection of my more complete work there. I’ll continue to add to it as I embark on more exciting projects in the future.
Thanks for sticking around – don’t forget to let me know what you think of the new look.
I’m Doing Science And I’m Still Alive
July 27th, 2008
Inferno – A PS2 Game
July 27th, 2008
Inferno was created as a piece of coursework for my second year in University. The task was to create a pseudo-3d Playstation 2 game using 2D sprites, such as Super Hang On or Space Harrier. I opted to take this a step further and create a software pipeline and camera which would allow me to create 3D scenes from 2D primitives. If you heard me mention an insane project before I mysteriously disappeared – this was it.
I had never attempted something along these lines before but I had a fair understanding of the maths that would be required. After hundreds of pages of scribblings in my notebook and many experimental programs I was in a position where I could generate a textured crate correctly in the middle of space on screen. After several problems, some minor and some that had me pulling my hair out, I managed to get rectangular rooms or random dimensions which I could move within working correctly.
I used this as a base to create a hack ‘n’ slash adventure where you travel through a series of rooms, defeating the enemies in one to move onto the next. There are many ways I would like to expand the game but most of all I am looking forward to experiencing working in 3D on the PS2 next year. I found developing for the PS2 to be more challenging than for the PC – there are far more constraints and it is not hard to crash the whole system. However, I learned a lot about the direct relationship between hardware and software which I hope I can expand upon in future.
This game also won me a prize from Sony which I was both surprised and of course very pleased about.
Unfortunately the game will only run on a PS2 with a hard drive and Linux kit installed. If you have this please email me and I would be happy to send you the application. I will hopefully be able to put a video of the game here in the near future.
Insane Project Time?
February 10th, 2008
It’s now about a month into the new term. Time to finalise my plans for my coursework. And everything was going so well, until a few days ago.
One of my pieces of coursework is set, I have a fairly solid idea of where I want it to go. The other however, is becoming slightly more problematic. I’ve been brainstorming ideas for a while now, and I had several potential games to decide between. All the while however, at the back of my mind, there was “The Idea”. “The Idea” is a crazy and insane plan for my project. One I’m not sure I’m technically able to complete. One which will deprive me of sleep from now until April. One which will most likely eat me up or leave me sitting in a corner rocking backwards and forwards. And yet… it’s so tempting.
Challenges always seem like a great idea until it comes to a fortnight before the deadline. Right now, I’m enthusiastic – making plans, drawing diagrams. I know I’ll hate myself if I choose to go along with this but deep down, I also know there’s little chance of me changing my mind now. So, you best wish me luck.
What is this project, you ask?
You’ll just have to wait and see 