Friday, December 13, 2013

Reverse-Engineer a Game

So this week we have been working on remaking an existing game.  The idea is that you can learn a lot of programming -- and a lot about what you don't know yet.

Today [Friday] I am at the doctor, so please work on your assignments.

Finally, please email me your deviantART address so I can grade your Photoshop projects!  (Which I should have done before grades were due yesterday)  :D

Monday, December 2, 2013

Photoshop: Java Game Cover Graphic

Today and tomorrow we will be creating a Title Page / Splash Page graphic and a "Game Over" page for one of your video games.

COVER PAGES:
  • To begin, find the size of your "World" in your program.  I typically use a 640x480 or 800x600 world, but (as in the Breakout example below) I do sometimes vary.
  • Open Photoshop and do FILE > NEW...
  • Enter the size of your document (in pixels NOT inches) with a resolution of 72
  • I usually start with a background color by choosing a color and filling the background with the "fill bucket".
  • Then I find a font that I like that fits with my game style.
  • Only then do I begin looking for royalty free graphics that I can use on my cover.


Sometimes I do game Title Pages and Game Over pages in sets:


Finally, here are two different examples of a Game Over screen.  The red one is a standard text screen and the green one has a "Winners Circle" platform where I move the winning tank at the end of the race.