Spartan_X Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 Note: This is public information; it also helps to clarify some "misconceptions? about how the Xbox 360 works. Enjoy! [/size] Xbox 360 games are programmed using the Microsoft? Visual Studio? development system. The Xbox 360 development kit (XDK) supports development using either C or C++. We recommend the following software for writing Xbox 360 code using a PC: ? Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 or Visual Studio .NET 2003 ? Direct3D 9.0 Software Development Kit ? Microsoft Cross-Platform Audio Creation Tool (XACT) General Console Programming Recommendations[/size] Developing console games is very different from writing PC games. With this in mind, the following list provides some general recommendations for making an effective console game. ? Design for controller input, not for keyboard & mouse input. Console players press simple buttons?they don?t move the mouse or tap a keyboard. ? Design for the ten-foot experience. Use fonts that are readable on televisions. Use simple menus; avoid long scrolling lists. ? Consider using a television as an output device during development. PC-to-TV video adaptors are widely available. ? Minimize load times. Console games don?t install to a hard drive?they run directly from the game disc, so using the game disc effectively is important. Plan to stream data from the disc throughout the game, plan to compress game data, and offload decompression to a separate thread. Consider replicating data to avoid unnecessary seeking. ? Don?t assume the console player has a memory unit or that the hard drive is always attached. A game should have playable modes even if the detachable drive is removed. ? Be aware of the title-safe region on televisions?that is, avoid displaying critical UI elements or text in the outerReferenceseen. References Xbox 360 system specifications: http://www.xbox.com/en-US/xbox360/factsheet.htm Xbox 360 consumer site: http://www.xbox360.com/ Visual Studio: http://msdn.microsoft.com/visualc/ DirectX Software Development Kit: http://msdn.microsoft.com/directx/ XACT for Windows is currently in beta. You can apply for the beta at http://beta.microsoft.com/ using the Guest ID: XACTBeta. OpenMP: http://www.openmp.org/ Source: Xbox.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.KICK Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 Great info :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trix Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 nice read - now only if i could code :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shetland Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 thanks ive been looking for some specific details on what its capabilities with HLSL is, most of its common sense in that doc but its nice to have a print out stuck on the wall for ref. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramesees Posted September 4, 2006 Share Posted September 4, 2006 impressive set of guidelines there :) Reading them makes me weep a little though.... games development *shudders* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PL_ Veteran Posted September 4, 2006 Veteran Share Posted September 4, 2006 I so want to get into game development. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spartan_X Posted September 4, 2006 Author Share Posted September 4, 2006 I so want to get into game development. just do it! you have all the tools you need to learn... and they're FREE!!! XNA Game Studio Express and this will help a bit too... XNA Framework and XNA Game Studio Express Frequently Asked Questions what are you waiting for? JUMP IN!!! :woot: :woot: :woot: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PL_ Veteran Posted September 4, 2006 Veteran Share Posted September 4, 2006 just do it! you have all the tools you need to learn... and they're FREE!!! XNA Game Studio Express and this will help a bit too... XNA Framework and XNA Game Studio Express Frequently Asked Questions what are you waiting for? JUMP IN!!! :woot: :woot: :woot: Been there, done that, got the mug ;) But where can I learn C#? I'm scared! Oh, and... Q: What does XNA stand for? A: XNA?s Not Acronymed Lies! XNA stands for Xtreme North America!:rofl:l: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spartan_X Posted September 4, 2006 Author Share Posted September 4, 2006 Lies! XNA stands for Xtreme North America! :rofl: X - a reference to Xbox or DirectX / Crossover = X N - Next Generation A - Architecture :happy: :shifty: :whistle: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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