On making Xbox 360 games.

Having my Windows PC connected to the internet is fantastic. That said, I’m still not fully up-and-running yet. Needing to download everything again is a slight PITA.

However, once things are downloaded (Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition has a whopping seven-and-a-half hours to go at the current rate) I can start coding again. This is something I’ve been looking forward to for ages, i.e. since I stopped having a Windows-based PC connected to the internet.

Now, this summer for me presents a real opportunity to develop my programming skills. I’m working full-time in web development which will provide a fantastic platform to become proficient at XHTML, CSS and PHP with the opportunity to throw some Javascript in there too. But that’s not the only thing.

Microsoft have got an initiative called Dreamspark. Essentially, it’s a way for students at high school, college and university to get their hands on free copies of their proprietary software. We’re talking everything from Visual Studio (2005 and 2008 editions) to their Robotics software, Server software and one particularly interesting piece of kit: XNA Game Studio 3.0

This allows people to develop games for Windows Live. That includes Xbox Live, by the way. It provides full support for achievements, Xbox 360 game controllers and all sorts of funky multiplayer stuff. Admittedly, the free subscription that you get from Dreamspark doesn’t allow you to publish the games you make, but as a learning experience I think it’s fantastic.

It’s also possible to make these games in any language that supports the .NET framework which means I can develop my skills not only in the language that I am fluent in (VB.NET) but also in the one that i’m not so confident with (C++).

I’ve got a real buzz though, am really looking forward not only to working but also to actually being able to code again within a good environment.

~ Godders

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Comments

Emad (Jul 19, 2009)

Surely the NHS have a helpline you can call in case you become addicted to WoW again?
=P

Godders (Jul 20, 2009)

Haha, it wouldn’t surprise me.