UML diagram

It's a little shoddy, and was stitched together in GIMP, and my handwriting is atrocious, but here is the pseudo-UML diagram for the Graphics Engine of the platformer.



If you feel like you can implement a class yourself, go for it. Keep in mind, that the inputs and outputs of a method should be consistent across the engine, and we're using Java, with Swing as the base system. If you don't know how to use Swing, go through some of the tutorials on Oracle's web site.

Change in Platform: CrystalSpace

Ok, it appears that the development group is displeased with Python, due to unfamiliarity (and a variety of other reasons). Therefore, we will be switching to C++, with CrystalSpace as our graphics/input/audio/etc. manager, instead of Python with PyGame. While few of us are familiar with CrystalSpace, all of us are familiar with at least one language related to C++ (if not C++ itself) and the fundamental concepts of Object Oriented Programming.

The end of the semester is fast approaching, and I honestly don't expect us to finish anything significant. I do expect this project to be carried over into next semester, as it seems many are loath to abandon it.

DarkBASIC

This probably comes as no surprise to anyone who frequently browses the links at the right, but DarkBASIC Professional is now free for personal use (not commercial or educational though). For anyone who wants to take a more code-based approach to game design, but is too intimidated by the C-type languages and libraries that are widely available, this is a nice alternative to ease you into the methods of manipulating and managing game objects with code.


NOTE: The language used in DarkBASIC is, obviously, very similar to Basic, so if you're one of those people who firmly believe that learning Basic will inhibit your capacity to learn other programming languages, then maybe this isn't for you...