caseydunham.net

After the XNA talk I saw by Michael Cummings at Code Camp 12, I decided to take a look at the XNA framework.  I picked up a couple of books on it and started taking a look at the tutorials and example code at the Creator’s Club.  I played around creating a few demos and am now working on an actual game. The game I am making is based on the Play With Your Peas game prototyping challenge from Lost Garden. The challenge was originally from 2008, but I really like the art style and the game concept. Here is a screen mock-up of how the game will look when it is done:

Screen mockup

The basic game mechanic is that you need to build the level by placing blocks to facilitate the Peas desire to jump and bounce off of things. The player doesn’t control the individual peas and must take care that they don’t fall too far.

The design will present a few interesting challenges of which the Physics involved will probably be the most difficult for me as I have not done anything that complicated. The artificial intelligence of the Peas will be another more complicated part but I think I have a few workable ideas.

I may play around with incorporating a 2D physics engine, of which I am looking at the Farseer library to use based on a few recommendations.

I am looking at having most of the basic game play elements in place by end of next weekend. I have a couple of things left to do for my Artificial Intelligence class which ends this coming Thursday.