We apologize for the lack of a post last week, the writer... ahem I was sick and really didn't feel like doing anything but finding replacement tissue boxes. So here is the overdue post.

When starting a game project the first thing a developer has to do is pick the programming language they will use. Many times this decision is influenced by what helpful libraries or pre-built code is available for a language. For us C# combined with Microsoft's XNA libraries seemed the best choice.

XNA's features for game creators are nearly limitless, and help speed along nearly every part of the programming process. Here are a few of the features provided by this helpful tool.

  • XBOX, ZUNE, PC gaming compatibility
  • Integration with Windows Live Gaming
  • Network tools
  • Sound Bank Creation and Cue driven audio programming
  • Resource Compiling and optimizing
  • Install packaging
  • Helpful Forums with many other Indie Game developers
  • Save files and Live profile integration
We aim to take advantage of this free tool to speed along our development process and allow us to bring this game to players faster, with greater stability. Hopefully this library will also allow us to join PC and XBOX players together reaching a greater audience of gamers!

Well I have menus to program, I'll see you next week.

You just have to find the right one. For the world of Gunslingers to be how we intend it needs to have a physics engine. Now we have two options we could build one ourselves , or we could use an ‘off the shelf’ one. Well why go through the trouble of building one yourself when and ‘off the shelf’ one will do fine, So to simulate the physics in Gunslingers we will be using the Farseer Physics engine. The extent of its integration into the world has yet to be determined, but for now its is going to be used for

  • Character movement
  • Collision detection
  • Particle Physics

We will be endeavoring to use it as efficiently as possible to leverage what we need out of the

Farseer Physics engine. We will be using it’s tools to properly simulate the world of Gunslingers.
Below is a video that demonstrates some of the features of Farseer.
In todays news, Novabox studios gets a purpose for its existence. Seriously, we would like to announce the commencement of our first project, a game called Gunslingers.

To begin our introduction here is the specs and target system requirements.

Gunslingers
  • Platforms - Games for Windows, XBOX 360
  • Rating - Teen(This is the target, No official rating yet)
  • System Requirements - Windows XP, .NET 3.5, and Direct X 9
Description

Gunslingers is a Side-Scrolling 3rd-person shooter with intuitive control schemes and over the top gunslinging action. A tribute to the thrilling gunfights and gunwielders of Eastern and Western film and fiction, Gunslingers allows you to take control of a skilled gunslinger and fight to protect the world or prove your skill.

Story

As terrorism grows in popularity so does its threats. Now a group claims to have an American nuclear warhead and plans to use it against the nation of Japan. Fearing political fallout as the least of their problems, America sends in the troops to secure the rumored warhead and prevent a disaster. However more than one group has its eyes on the warhead.

Key Features
  • Intuitive Controls - Short and simple control scheme makes it easy for you to pick up the game in a moment. The built-in stunt system allows players to make their way across the map without worrying about timing jumps or catching ledges, simply push the stunt button and the game does the work for you.
  • Full Avatar Customization - Create your own Gunslinger with a variety of clothes and accessories to make your multi-player persona unique. Don't like our options? Upload your own textures to create an incredibly personal and unique appearance.
  • Environment Interaction - Let the environment fight for you! Many objects can be used to create effects, explosions, hiding places and more!
We are excited about this project and hope to hear feedback and comments. We want to build a game that's fun and meets the needs of the online community. Hope to hear from you soon!