So I just heard that the compo’s this weekend. Might as well join, I guess.

My previous experience with *rapid* game development is limited to having coded up a simple shmup in Java with 3 enemy types (graphics courtesy of MSPaint) in approximately 6 hours. This was when I was on the graveyard shift and bored out of my mind. With any luck I shouldn’t have too much trouble cooking up something for this round.

The other problem, though, is that I have no idea how to do sound. Music, maybe, but not sound. I guess I should go find out about those two free audio tools that everyone’s raving about…

I’m thinking about making a custom library for simple management of assets and 3D models in XNA – probably built upon Michael Schuld’s tutorials (http://www.thehazymind.com/XNAEngine.htm) – I’ve done that twice in the past, so it should go pretty smoothly. Will see how that goes. In any case, if I do do that, it’ll be made available to everybody before start time.

Tools I’m using:

- XNA 3.0

- Photoshop 7 – yes, 7! I’ve never really felt the need to upgrade…

- Milkshape, if I do decide to do 3D graphics

- Possibly some audio stuff – what’s that one audio tool that everyone says is awesome?

- I may compose music using Daigasso! Band Brothers DX for the Nintendo DS, provided I have time. Since I have prior engagements during the compo period, the commute time should allow me to bang out a quick track or two.

Anyways, in my local time zone, the compo runs from 11am on Saturday morning to 11am on Monday morning – may actually take a half-day off work on Monday to finish up, but otherwise I fully intend to go at a relaxed pace. This probably means I’ll only have about 24 hours of working time – should be interesting.

Edit: Just downloaded sfxr. Thanks, DrPetter! Will play around with it when I have a bit of time.

Edit 2: sfxr is awesome. I’ll probably want to use Audacity to post-edit the sounds though, tweak the frequency or add echoes and stuff. I managed to produce a decent steam-valve effect in less than 5 minutes! Of course I’ll have to try and remember how I did it, since I can’t use it for the compo ><

Tags: LD #14 - Advancing Wall of Doom - 2009, tools, xna

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