libPainting - A Library for Code Paintings

As I mentioned in my previous post, I am making a library for "code painting" games. This library is being written in C++ using SDL, but will be ported to other languages and libraries. In particular, it will be ported to Python+Pygame.

Currently, I have some very basic functionality in place.

• Image wrapper that can draw itself
• Basic entity that can move and draw itself
• Application class that can update itself and handle SDL events
• Input state containers
• Container for a button state (down/changed)
• Container for a "joy hat" state (horizontal/vertical)
• Container for mouse state (position/movement/buttons)
• Container for all input states (uses other containers)
• Configuration container (currently contains screen zoom and key controls)

I am also developing a test/proof-of-concept game alongside this library. The game is titled "Little Fox" and it is about the titular fox hunting rabbits and bird in a procedurally generated forest.

I will also be working on an API specification for the library, and will find somewhere to host it (I'm writing it in HTML) once it is reasonably complete.

Peace, love, and a shared library object,

--- Henry

About My Future Projects

So, without posting specifics (mainly because I'm flip-flopping about the ideas that I have for games), I'd like to talk a bit about what kinds of games I will be making.

This was covered in a more philosophical way on my other blog, just in case you'd like the philosophy behind it. For those reading later on (IE: after I have posted more on that blog), the philosophy is in this post.

I have decided to take the title of that blog for the type of game that I will make. I've decided to call this type of game a "code painting."

I am working on a specification for this type of game but have only just started on that. I will probably put the document up on Google Docs and link to it when I have the first draft completed.

Here's a summary of it, though:

• Minimal interface, menus opened with key presses
• Game starts in play state, becomes idle when not playing
• Simple concept with no unnecessary elements
• Avoid traditional or cliche premises
• Use either procedural content or as little content as possible
• Prefer polish over technology or amount of content

I will, again, post more about this idea when I have a document that actually gives a specification. I will also be creating a library for these functions that will be written in C++ and use the SDL media library.

With PyWeek coming up, there may also be a Python/Pygame version of this library.

Peace, love, and a direction to move in,

--- Henry

Resurrecting this Blog

Wow, it's been a while, internet. How's it been going? Me? I've been drifting around.

LandFish Studios is back from the depths with its latest slew of projects. Here's hoping it goes okay, huh?

I have a new policy which will help me. I'm not posting the plans for a game until I have a demo for you fine folks out there in net-land. So, more about this slew of projects later on down the line.

LandFish Studios will also be participating in the upcoming PyWeek game development competition with my "LandFish: Foxer Delta" project. Here's hoping, huh?

Peace, love, and blogs reborn,

--- Henry