Examples of well written works:
Unit 3 Part 1 | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
File Type: | docx |
A Unity Tutorial that I found to be pretty helpful!
Unit 1 Review
What do we mean when we say a programming language is "higher-level?" Why would a developer use a higher-level language?
- Higher-level languages use more abstraction by hiding data that is not relevant to the command the coder is writing. This increases efficiency and allows a developer to write code independent of a particular type of computer. The lowest level language is that which the computer understands...code broken into 1s and 0s. We cannot write binary code in any fast way. We write in a high level that is compiled to a lower level so the computer can understand our coding. Please see the compiler video in Week 3.
What does a compiler do, and why is it necessary when using higher-level languages?
- A compiler is a program that converts high-level languages into a form that can be read and execute by a machine. Computers need their ultimate instructions to be in a low-level language, so higher-level languages have to be compiled. Please see the compiler video in Week 3.
Name define three of the four common data types in programming.
- Integers: traditional numbers, their negatives, and zero; data that represent a finite set of mathematical integers which are numbers that can be written without a fractional component.
- Booleans: data type with two values, generally denoted as true or false.
- Floating-point numbers; approximations of "real" numbers like Pi; numbers that are rounded off to avoid insignificant figures.
- Alphanumeric strings: any sequence of characters, really anything you can type on a keyboard.
What were the necessary steps required to allow your cube to fire projectiles in the unit activity? What did each step actually do in terms of advancing you to that goal? (you didn't just "create object", you created rigid body object to act as the projectile and allow for physics components to be assigned to it).
- Create empty object to make a dummy object that would actually fire the projectile
- Nest that object under the cube so that it inherits the cube's transform data
- Create a projectile as a rigid body object so that it could be assigned physical properties through materials
- Create a material for the projectile and the collider component for it to define physics for the projectile
- Create a script that determines what the projectile will do when fired
- Use conditional logic to know when the cube should fire the bullet
What does the FixedUpdate loop do? Why do developers use it?
The FixedUpdate loop is a variation of the update logic that is called every fixed framerate frame. This is done so that physics simulations can be regulated by a specific framerate to ensure that the game runs smoothly and there are no absurd physics simulations.
Critical Thinking Review
Why is it useful to understand coding fundamentals even if you work in a game design role that doesn't traditionally write code?
- At the most fundamental level, any developer has to consider the limits of code--what is technically feasible in game design, period. One should work well with other developers by understanding what your programmers are talking about when they speak about code. Being able to decode or debug in a pinch and understanding how your requests could complicate or simplify the coding requirements for the project can only make you a more valuable team player.
Week 3 -- Computer programming concepts
I found this video that may help you understand the importance of a compiler.
yes...I skipped week 2
Week One
Let's be CLEAR. This class is a GAME DESIGN class. We DO introduce some programming concepts BUT you are not expected, or required, to become a PROGRAMMER.
Unity is a great FULL game application that, with a LOT of practice, can put your game into a MARKETABLE level...but, that will take a LOT of time...more time than the activities that are requested of you allow.
There are OTHER options to Unity:
Gamemaker--Using a single development workflow GameMaker Studio 2 allows you export your game directly to Windows desktop, Mac OS X, Ubuntu, Android, iOS, tvOS, fireTV, Android TV, Microsoft UWP, HTML5, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The TRIAL is Free. It does a fine job. I use the Pro version so I have some experience with this. If you want to switch to Gamemaker Free Trial...that is FINE with me.
Code.org -- This may FEEL very childish but it has a LOT of good coding information and you can create good games using the Game Design concepts we are learning in class.
Scratch -- This is a FREE programming language and online community where you can create your own interactive stories, games, and animations. DO NOT make the mistake of thinking that this is "just for little kids". It isn't. Below is a Scratch created at Harvard University where they use it for programming classes.
Code.org -- This may FEEL very childish but it has a LOT of good coding information and you can create good games using the Game Design concepts we are learning in class.
Scratch -- This is a FREE programming language and online community where you can create your own interactive stories, games, and animations. DO NOT make the mistake of thinking that this is "just for little kids". It isn't. Below is a Scratch created at Harvard University where they use it for programming classes.
Let's NOT FORGET that Game Design is about MORE than just creating a game... it's about animations and art and PLAYABILITY! If you are MORE interested in creating the art for games or animations, please check out Blender. It is a free application that is also very professional and found in many video games and even in movies!