Subscribe to Updates
Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.
Author: Jack
The mobile gaming market is enormous, but translating complex game mechanics designed for consoles or PCs onto a touchscreen presents significant hurdles. Successfully adapting game controls for mobile is not just about mapping buttons; it’s a nuanced process demanding careful consideration of user experience, platform capabilities, and, crucially, smart coding practices. This post delves into the code perspective of this adaptation, exploring various techniques and challenges developers face. Bringing a game to mobile often means rethinking the entire control scheme. What works with a physical joystick, d-pad, or mouse and keyboard rarely translates directly to taps, swipes, and gestures. The…
Walk through any mobile app store, and you’ll be inundated with hypercasual games – titles boasting millions, sometimes billions, of downloads. Many of these chart-toppers share striking similarities, leading to the term “Mobile Game Clones.” But how do these seemingly simple games achieve such massive success? The surprising answer often lies in equally simple code, streamlined design principles, and rapid iteration, allowing developers to effectively replicate and refine winning formulas. The hypercasual phenomenon hinges on accessibility. Unlike complex RPGs or strategy games, these titles demand minimal learning curves. They are built for short, satisfying bursts of gameplay, perfect for a…
Game development used to be the exclusive domain of those who could wrestle with complex lines of C++, C#, or other programming languages. But times have changed. The rise of powerful game engines like Unity and Unreal Engine has democratized game creation, and a key part of this shift is visual scripting. For aspiring developers, artists, designers, and anyone else hesitant about traditional coding, visual scripting offers a pathway to bringing ideas to life. This brings us to the core of our **Visual Scripting Showdown: Bolt vs. Blueprints for Non-Coders**. Which system reigns supreme when you’re just starting out and…
Developing a game, whether it’s a simple mobile puzzler or a sprawling open-world RPG, involves intricate layers of logic. How does an enemy react? What happens when a player interacts with an object? What are the win/loss conditions? Diving straight into coding these complex interactions without a plan is like building a house without a blueprint – possible, but chaotic and prone to costly errors. This is where the power of **Game Logic Flowcharts** comes into play, providing an essential planning step before a single line of code is written. Understanding and mapping out your game’s mechanics visually can save…
Starting your journey in game development? You’ve probably heard whispers (or maybe shouts) about something called Git. If terms like ‘version control’, ‘repositories’, and ‘commits’ sound intimidating, don’t worry. This beginner’s guide will demystify using Git for game projects, explaining why it’s an indispensable tool for solo developers and teams alike. Understanding Git isn’t just helpful; it’s fundamental for managing the complex assets and code that make up a game. Imagine losing hours of work on your game because of a file corruption or a bad change. Or picture the chaos of trying to merge different features developed by multiple…
Ever wondered how your favorite games keep track of your health, ammo, or score? It all happens in your computer’s memory, a complex world of addresses and values. While often associated with gaining unfair advantages, what if we told you there’s a way to “cheat” your way to a deeper understanding? This guide explores **using game cheat engines to understand memory**, turning a gamer’s tool into a powerful, hands-on learning experience. For many, concepts like memory addresses, data types, and pointers feel abstract and difficult to grasp when learned from textbooks alone. Traditional methods often lack the engagement factor. However,…
Ever marvel at the intricate systems driving your favorite video games? From sprawling open worlds with countless interacting elements to sophisticated AI opponents that seem truly alive, modern games are marvels of engineering. But how do developers manage the sheer intricacy involved? The answer lies in effectively tackling **complex game logic**. It’s a discipline that goes far beyond just writing lines of code; it’s about smart design, strategic simplification, and robust foundational knowledge. While specific famous developers have their unique methodologies, many successful creators rely on a shared set of principles to demystify complexity. This post delves into the simplified…
Many of us grew up mesmerized by the glowing screens of video games, lost in fantastical worlds or mastering complex strategies. But for some, the magic extends beyond playing; it sparks a desire to create. This marks the beginning of a challenging yet exhilarating path: the indie dev coding journey. It’s a transition fueled by passion, often undertaken with little initial guidance, transforming devoted players into determined programmers. If you’ve ever dreamt of building your own game, you’re not alone. This post explores the common trajectory from passionate player to fledgling indie developer, highlighting the hurdles, the breakthroughs, and the…
Landing your first job as a coder can feel like navigating a complex maze. Technical interviews are notorious hurdles, demanding not just coding skills but also sharp problem-solving, clear communication, and a demonstrable fit with the team. Who better to guide you than those who conduct these interviews? This post distills essential lead programmer interview advice to help aspiring coders like you stand out and succeed. Many aspiring developers focus solely on algorithms and data structures. While technical proficiency is crucial, lead programmers are often looking for much more. They want to build strong, collaborative teams capable of delivering results…
The indie game scene is bursting with creativity, offering unique experiences you often won’t find in the mainstream AAA space. What’s even more exciting is that many incredible **Indie Games Beginner Tools** empower developers, even those just starting out, to bring their visions to life. This means some of the most anticipated titles are being built using software that’s relatively easy to learn. Let’s dive into the world of accessible game development and spotlight some exciting upcoming indie games, proving that you don’t need a massive budget or overly complex software to create something special. The rise of beginner-friendly game…