Games? Is something like this possible with processing?

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gerleone73

Games? Is something like this possible with processing?

in General Discussion • Other • 4 months ago

I am quite new to processing yet hope to make a mobile game for my masters project this summer

I appreciate that other programming languages might be better suited to the task but processing was the only multimedia programming language we studied, so it at very least has "first refusal" , so to speak...

The best way to explain the type of game i have in mind is to share links to these 2 animations.
(neither are games but they show the type of 2D gameplay environment I am planning).

My hope is that both the gamplay environment and the music will be (partly) generative.

I am concerned that perhaps Processing (and moreover my lack of experience with processing) may not be up to the task.

Is this possible with Processing? If so, how difficult/advanced would be it? Other technologies required?

http://vimeo.com/39135278
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkQoCCsu_fA

Any words of wisdom appreciated.

G

Replies(4)

amnon.owed

Re: Games? Is something like this possible with processing?

4 months ago

Yes. You will need 2D rigid body collision. For this you can use JBox2D. There are three Processing wrappers for JBox2D:

The first two are well developed and contain plenty of examples. I have only used PBox2D myself, but I can recommend it. It has as extra unique selling point that you can read a chapter explaining it in Shiffman's Nature of Code book, which is available online (or just buy the book).

The difficulty level of working with PBox2D is at least intermediate. It's not very intuitive and you have to work with parallel processing and real-world coordinates. However with wrapper libraries, examples and even a book chapter, there are many resources.

The difficulty level of a game really depends on the game, but is most likely to be advanced in this case (or at the very least intermediate). Because you also mention generative music. Implementation on mobile. If you don't know object-oriented programming at the moment, this will probably be too ambitious. Under the right conditions, this may very well be possible however.

To summarize, you shouldn't be too concerned about Processing. Your biggest concern should be yourself. Only you can determine if you are at the level for the job. Maybe you can also adjust the scope and complexity of your project to match your current skill level.

gerleone73

Re: Games? Is something like this possible with processing?

4 months ago

Thanks for your reply and advice. I have deferred my Masters Project until September (to be completed for end of November).

This affords me the possibility of considering other languages and game engines.

There are so many alternatives though that difficult to know which one would best suit.

PS the only game I've made so far is a retro styled Pong with processing ( limited OOP)

GoToLoop

Re: Games? Is something like this possible with processing?

4 months ago

Here are some alternatives. Although I'm not familiar w/ any of them:

http://love2d.org

http://love2d.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=4270

http://www.pygame.org

http://pygame.renpy.org/

But there'll be lotsa to learn anyways!

PhiLho

Re: Games? Is something like this possible with processing?

4 months ago

Löve is cool, indeed, and despite the different language (Lua, very simple to learn and powerful), will look familiar to Processing users.
libgdx is nice too, and runs on many platforms, including Android!
GameSalad is interesting too.
On the Lua world (quite crowded too), Moai seems good.

All these frameworks offer more possibilities than Processing for making games, at least because they are of higher level (managing scenegraphs, sprites, sound, etc.).
Now, people has made great games in Processing, so it is possible too. (But, as mentioned, choosing appropriate libraries can help!)

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