It is important that you gather around you as many resources as possible to enable you to make a sound start on your project proper when we return in September.
Ensure you look for the following sort of things:
Web forums related to your chosen project
- XNA development, Web development, Android development, Simulation, Physics, AI, Card games etc...
Programming forums related to the language you will be working in
- C#, Java, PHP, C++, etc...
Text books, these can be rapidly out of date so make sure you locate some relevant ones towards the start of September and I will source some of this for you and add them to the Library in E19.
Assets, these may involve graphics for your interface or game and possibly sounds. If you organise these over summer it will save you a lot of time next year. You can create your graphics own or find appropriate ones(you need to give credit to any sources). Make sure your graphics have transparent backgrounds. If you are going to use the Game Engine then you should take a look at this link
You may wish to download tools and software and have a go at some simple taster projects found on the web to help you get used to the language and environment before we start in September.
In the student shared folder (under Computing) you will find a folder called: DreamSpark downloads (LARGE), here you will find the following:
Visual Studio Professional 2008 (DVD ISO image)
XNA 3.0
Daemon tools (image mounter so you can install VS2008 without burning to a DVD)
Both of the Microsoft apps need keys from the Dreamspark website .You will need to register with a Windows Live account (hotmail, msn, xbox etc...) using your Athens account to verify you are a student.
You may contact me over summer for advice by either leaving a comment on this post or sending me an e-mail. I won't check my e-mails or the blog every day but I'll try to respond to your questions as soon as I can.
Have a good summer.
Eric
