Maintainer: John Champaign
Contact: john.champaign@acm.org
Version: Revision: 1.7
Last modified: Date: 2002/2/28
The web-based version is available at http://champaign.shorturl.com/GameDesignWebsite/.
The complete Wargames Handbook at http://www.hyw.com/Books/WargamesHandbook/Contents.htm
This one came up last term when I was doing a project on the history of computer games and book marked it as something that might be useful for the thesis. The author seems to be a die-hard historical gamer who's been sucked into the computer world. It's a great site from a design perspective (i.e. what makes a game play well). It's very thorough and goes from an assumption of the reader knowing nothing up to some worthwhile ideas. It doesn't even try to touch on technical issues.
MARK GALLEAR'S GAME DESIGN PAGE at http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Arena/8461/index.html
Describes itself well as: ?This guide attempts to give insights into what makes a great computer game. It is not about programming games but concerns itself with design issues. It includes sections on the development of different game genres. This looks at how seminal games in each genre have added to it or taken it in a new direction. Design issues such as using real-time or turn-based systems are examined in depth. Examples include a comparison of Steel Panthers and Command & Conquer. Even if you are just interested in playing games, you will hopefully find it interesting and give you some idea of what to look for in a great game.?
Adventure Game Toolkit (AGT) (by David Malmberg and Mark J. Welch) (Generic Adventure Game System, GAGS) at http://www.markwelch.com/agt.htm
I came across this product many years ago in casual browsing, then found it again recently while doing research. Their package assists with the creation of text-based, adventure games with limited graphic and sound support. If my project eventually takes on the dimensions I hope and it is something I can pass on for others to salvage ideas and code from, their model might be a valuable example of one approach to doing this.
Converting Boardgames for the Computer at http://www.gamesdomain.com/gdr.cgi?depart/dec98/bgmp.html
An article taken from Games Domain Review that focuses on the conversion of board games to computer from a VERY high level.
The Game AI Page: Building Artificial Intelligence into Games at http://www.gameai.com/
A brilliant site put together by someone who is really fascinated by AI and the many ways it can be applied to games. Gives a rundown on the AI strategies currently in use by commercial games, some of the theories that could be adapted to games and small freeware/shareware games that demonstrate AI concepts well (like genetic algorithms). Has a very earthy, personal tone to it that may or may not be your cup of tea (about the same as mine, so if my comments are annoying you, you might not love his site).
RPGMaker.net at http://www.rpgmaker.net/
Formerly RPG Warehouse (or they assimilarted it or something). Big collection of downloads, tutorials and design suggestions for making your own RPGs. Also has tile sets which I'm especially interested in. Currently undergoing serious reconstruction and only forums are available.
Designing Games: rec.games.design FAQ at http://www.cs.queensu.ca/~dalamb/Games/design/design.html
Maintained by my supervisor (breath on nails, polish on shirt) who took it over from Travis Casey.
GameCoding UK at http://homepage.ntlworld.com/paul.gerfen/new_page_2.htm
"The purpose of this site is to gather together everything you will need on one site to write top selling games. I hope this site will meet the needs of tomorrows programmers, whether your a complete beginner or an advanced coder, there's something for everyone. " Pretty ambitious purpose, I don't think he quite pulls it off, but that's just my 2 cents. Really neat menus (for what it's worth).
Game Design Documents at http://www.ihfsoft.com/
This link was sent to me by Christian Lynfs, the maintainer, and is focused on all things game design. Has actual design documents on the site, which I'm sure would be useful.
Creative Gaming at http://www.creativegaming.com/
A hobby site devoted to helping game developers ?write their own games and source material?. Has polls, links (organized by age and popularity, far better then this pitiful potpourri), a newsletter and discussion forums.
How do I make games? at http://www.lupinegames.com/articles/path_to_dev.html
Great page answering this favourite question of aspiring games developers.
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The "Influence Mapping" Thread (Summary) from comp.ai.games at http://www.gameai.com/influ.thread.html
A collection of messages posted to comp.ai.games that seems to be a very reasonable approach to evaluating which force ``controls'' what area of the battlefield and from this allow the A.I. to make some tactical decisions. It is of particular interest to me, as it seems like something that would be easily implemented on my tile-based battlefield and might make the A.I. a bit more playable. Like any collection of message from a newsgroup, the quality of post varies, but from a first skim this looks to have a high signal-to-noise ratio.
Welcome to Gamedev.net, Game Dictionary, and Demo News at http://www.gamedev.net/
A potpourri of game design goodies, this is a frequently referred to site in the game design newsgroups that delivers with more solid technical articles and forums than I have seen elsewhere. Describes its own content as ``theory, design, art, music, physics, graphics, OpenGL, news, Source Code, AI, Sound, Assembly, Discussion Forums, and more!'' Nice design with a slightly chaotic feel to it.
generation5.org at http://www.generation5.org/
Claims to be at ``the forefront of Artificial Intelligence''. Seems to have some essays on general AI principles that I hope will be useful when I get seriously into developing the AI component for a game. Interview section looks like it might be interesting to browse through. Site is difficult to navigate as a whole.
The Ishpeckian Network at http://come.to/ishpeck/
Has a programming section with collections of resources for general game programming, Basic, C/C++, Java and code.
Josh's Programming Page - Links at http://members.tripod.com/~sakajmh/links.htm
A collection of links for programming tutorials in C++ and game design/programming.
Amit's Game Programming Information at http://www-cs-students.stanford.edu/~amitp/gameprog.html
Great site for ideas on implementing issues that comes up often in games (e.g. shortest path, tiles, AI, etc.). I especially like his rants, but then, I'm a rant-loving kind of guy...
An optimal pathfinder for vehicles in real-world digital terrain maps at http://www.student.nada.kth.se/~f93-maj/pathfinder/index.html
A paper on finding the shortest path.
A* Demonstraton at http://www.ccg.leeds.ac.uk/james/aStar/
Information and demo for the A* path finding algorithm. Neat demo applet.
Allegro - a game programming library at http://www.talula.demon.co.uk/allegro/
Allegro is a library of functions for use in computer games, written for the djgpp compiler in a mixture of C and assembly language
Java Games Developement Center at http://www.electricfunstuff.com/jgdc/
This was a hard one to categorize. There's definitely some design meat on this site, but their vision seems to be first and foremost providing code, tutorials and more technical assistance, with design following from that. Regardless, if you're into java game development, this is the centre for you (ergo the name!).
java programming source code and tutorial resource at Gamelan.com at http://www.gamelan.com/
``Gamelan's primary mission is to serve as a central registry and directory of Java resources,'' says the site also claiming ``Most serious Java developers visit our site every day to keep up with breaking developments and new techniques.'' I've definitely seen it referred to in the newsgroups, but I'm not 100% convinced that they are the centre of the caffeinated universe they claim to be -- Maybe I'm just cynical though.
Cplusplus.8m.com - C++ and OpenGL programming at http://cplusplus.8m.com/
Seems useful if you're programming in C/C++ and need tutorials or code mining. Quite a bit of advertising which is a turn-off. The rush of pop ups actually crashed my browser last time I visited.
VB Tutorial Main Page at http://markbutler.8m.com/vb-tutorial.htm
Takes a programmer with minimal Visual Basic knowledge and walks them through the creation of a tile based RPG ala Zelda, Might & Magic or Ultima.
Games Programming at http://www.cbel.com/Games_Programming/
A whole bunch of links for people who want information hard and fast. Seems to have a 3D-shooter bias.
Reliable software at http://www.relisoft.com/
Technical collection (C/C++ tutorials, etc) with bias towards games and open-source.
Simkin embedded scripting language at http://www.simkin.co.uk/
Simon Whiteside sent me a link to his scripting language called Simkin that works with C++ and Java and which, he claims, is well suited for games. Simkin uses a lightweight interpreter to drive C++ and Java applications from scripts that can be embedded within XML. The language syntax is a simplified version of Javascript.
WildTangent at http://www.wildtangent.com/
Useful for game developers wanting to make web based or stand alone games. The HowTo page in their developer section is loaded with tutorials and ideas. Todd Zircher was good enough to send me this link.
Blitz Basic at http://www.blitzbasic.com/
Blitz a programming language, based on basic, designed for the sole purpose of writing videogames.
CFXweb at http://www.cfxweb.net
Ohad Barzilay sent me a link to his site, which focuses on the creation of demos and game development. It features daily news, a Sources archive, files, links and articles.
Scrolling Game Development Kit at http://gamedev.sourceforge.net/
Ben Marty's site is a development kit for creating scrollers. Apparently useful for anyone from a beginner who doesn't want to (or can't) code, or the more advanced developer who just wants it to handle the graphics and whatnot.
Robocode at http://www.alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/robocode?open&t=gr,png=Robocode-HP
?Robocode is a fun programming game that runs great on all Windows systems, Linux, other Unix systems, and the Mac. It teaches Java by style='mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt'>letting you create Java "Robots," real Java objects that battle it out onscreen against other robots. While playing Robocode, you will learn how to write Java code, how to handle events, how to create inner classes, and more.?
Nullsoft (SuperPiMP|Scriptable) Install System at http://www.nullsoft.com/free/nsis/
Seems like a free alternative to programs like InstallShield that make getting your software onto a users system easier. I?d be reluctant using software with Pimp in its name, but you?re probably more open-minded then I am.
Clickteam at http://www.clickteam.com/English/
?They make a number of game creation programs - no programming required. They JUST came out with a new version of "Multimedia Fusion" which is very much like a popular Macromedia product for a fraction of the cost. They also have a forum at the site.? was the description given in a newsgroup posting. Looks ok from when I quickly checked it out.
Clockwork Game Engine at http://cwgames.org/
Basically this group is working on an engine which can be used by anyone to make 3D persistent worlds. Sometimes these projects are more ambitious then they can deliver on, but I wish them the best of luck and would love to see what they produce!
Dark Basic Software at http://www.darkbasic.com
This is another gaming-specific programming language. This one seemed to generate a fair bit of attention in the newsgroups.
Back to the Table of ContentsGamasutra - The Art & Science of Making Games< at http://www.gamasutra.com/
After seeing frequent references to this site in many of the newsgroups I was quite anxious to finally get to see this Mecca. It's a site very focused on all professionals working in the gaming industry and combines news, articles, job searches, making connections, message forums, contests and surveys. Very slick and professional layout with some areas off-limit until you become a member (free). Seems more focused on broader topics, so if theirs something specific you need to know, you might be better off looking elsewhere, but if you want to while away some time reading, this is the place to come.
developium at http://www.developium.com/
A smaller version of Gamasutra or GameDev.net this promises to eventually link together designers, provide articles, forums, news and a thriving community. Still in the early stages of growth.
GIG -- Get In the Game! at http://www.gignews.com/
Another gaming industry site with job sites, articles by and for gaming professionals and lots of fun info.
Makegames.com: launch your career in computer game development at http://www.makegames.com/
This wasn't advertised in a post, but I grabbed it from Diana (the woman behind the whole show I think)'s signature. The site looks -- kind of -- well, ugly. But I never judge a website by its graphics -- nope, not me -- never -- ever. Regardless, this is the first site I've seen 100% devoted to careers in gaming, so worth looking at just for that. Diana is also wickedly funny.
flipCode - Game Development News & Resources< at http://www.flipcode.com/
Name says it all; this is another site with `` gaming/multimedia news and information site with an emphasis on development''. ``Also has daily news links to the latest happenings in the industry, interviews, tutorials, documents, (and) features''.
Perlin Noise at http://freespace.virgin.net/hugo.elias/models/m_perlin.htm
Useful for randomly generating maps. The basic idea is using combinations of frequencies to get random distributions. Interesting.
Gamepad: The e-commerce launch pad for game developers at http://www.gamepad.com/
?You code it, they?ll sell it?. My link to them does not necessarily indicate an endorsement of their services.
Sloperama's Game Biz Advice page at http://www.sloperama.com/advice.html
Devoted to the game business and strategies on how to get in to it. My favourite piece of advice comes from the first article that basically says ?implementation of an idea has more value then the idea itself.? I VERY much agree with this and think it can be one of the most important concepts anyone approaching a creative or business endeavor can learn.
Game Tutorials at http://www.gametutorials.com
?This site is here to alleviate some of the frustration that comes with programming. The site is broken into two main venues, general programming and game specific programming.? Has forums, tutorials, demos, code and job postings.
Game Developer's Refuge at http://boards.swoo.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi
?a place for indy game developers to sit around and talk about their current projects, ask for assistance, etc.? Seems to be mostly a couple of forums.
Academic Gaming Review at http://www.gis.net/~pldr/index.html
?AGR publishes freeware educational simulations, articles on using classroom games, and web site and game reviews.? They link to me as "a thorough listing of game design sites" so they obviously have both discerning taste and valuable content ;-).
Neuron Bulletin Board at http://www.neuronentertainment.com/cgi-bin//Ultimate.cgi/
Forums at a game design companies websites. Seems to have a reasonable amount of traffic. Seeing as they're a commercial entity, there must be SOME ulterior motive for community building, but then... don't we all really have ulterior motives for the things we do?
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GDT: Game Development Thingy - Online Game Development Projects at http://gdt.virtualave.net/
This is a site that links together people who want to work on programming a computer game, seems to be focused on a "Sonic-esque" game called Pyromaniac. Part of their philosophy is that its open source game development for anyone, so it looks like a good location to find code or possibly distribute my code later on. Has pop up banners that are quite annoying.
Linux Games - Even Penguins Like To Have Fun at http://www.linuxgames.com/
I assume that if they're programmed for Linux at least SOME will have bought into the open source concept.
Grant's Home Page at http://skyscraper.fortunecity.com/apple/230/
Has Gomokuse (your guess is as good as mine, and I played it!), Checkers and Othello executables (dos/win) along with source code. Grant Castillou presents them as an introduction to board game programming. These games are the limit to his site. His request to be sent ``a few bucks'' leaves a bit of a sour taste, but that could just be because I?m a cheapskate.
ANTIMETA at http://www.antimeta.com/
Collection of projects Marc Lepage is working on. Minions is a RTS he is playing with. Also has YAGE, which is a dead project, envisioned to be an engine for Java turn based wargames. This promises to have some worthwhile code.
BURKS 4 Online at http://burks.brighton.ac.uk/
Claims to be a useful resource for computer science students with tutorial and reference material along with hundreds of megs of software (including some source code). Can also be ordered on CD instead of downloading.
Open Directory - Computers: Programming: Games at http://dmoz.org/Computers/Programming/Games/
A yahoo-esque collection of links. Apparently human editors look over each site. Geez, who'd do nothing but post a collection of links!?!?! <wink>
Game Development Search Engine at http://www.gdse.com/
Another collection of links to game development sites.
Game Developer Magazine at http://www.gdmag.com/
The website for a paper (non-e) magazine. Contains a source code section. I met the former editor-in-chief (and got his business card to prove it!) at LinuxWorld, which was one of the high points along with peaking shyly at the Loki team from behind the exhibitors' booths.
CodeBrain.com - Free Java at http://www.codebrain.com/index.html
Focus of the site seems to be to suck you into viewing their banners, but has a wide variety of code from which you might be able to dig up some goodies.
CodeUniverse.com - Source Code Archive at http://www.codeuniverse.com/
This is code pure and simple; if you're looking for foreplay first you'll have to look elsewhere. The first thing that greets you on opening it up is a list of code posted with the language specified in front. You can comment on code you grab, submit your own code or look just at specific languages.
Freeciv - Open source project at http://www.freeciv.org/
Some people say that the best way to become a master programer is to read quality code. I've heard positive reviews of both the code and design followed by this mature product. If you're interested in doing a management sim this would be an excellent springboard. Many say this is the best open sourse game yet produced. Great AI (tough!). GPL licensed.
Nethack - Open source project at http://www.nethack.org/
Another mature product for people who treat code like a good novel. Might be worth looking through. I got somewhat negative vibes from the community working on it, they seemed a bit bitter about something, but maybe that's just me being sensitive. GPL licensed.
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Character Pack #1 - Visual Basic Explorer at http://www.vbexplorer.com/charpack1.asp
A collection of portraits and tiles by artist Hermann Hillmann that you are free to incorporate into any non-commercial game. I'd love to use the tiles in my game.
http://sua.virtualave.net/ at http://sua.virtualave.net/
Shareware United Association. Apparently has a good collection of sprites you can download. Don't know if there are any pixies available though?
Blade's Textures and Tiles at http://www.bladestextures.com/
You can buy collections of textures and tiles on CD from this guy. Some demos available for free on his site.
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KuesterLaw Technology Law Resource - Patent Copyright Trademark at http://www.kuesterlaw.com/index.html
Gives the basics of intellectual property so you can make sure the creators of your ``inspiration'' don't sue you.
GamesBasic.Com - The (free!) art of games creation..Higgh Speed!! at http://www.gamesbasic.com/
A gaming-specific programming language that uses modular basic.
3D Rad at http://www.3drad.com/index.htm
The Rapid 3D Application Development System - Interactive 3d worlds and 3d games creator. Costs about $200 then you can do whatever you want with what you produce.
COMMAND DECISION MODELING: at http://www-leav.army.mil/nsc/warsim/reason/assess/section2/section2.htm
From the military, this is a very serious thorough outline of some heavy-duty wargame AI techniques. Very dense. You have been warned.
Swedish Defence Wargaming Centre (SDWC) at http://www.fksc.mil.se/
If you're into Command Decision Modeling and the hard-core military stuff, you might like this.
Xtreme Games LLC Web Site at http://www.xgames3d.com/
Helps amateur game designers sell their product for a 50/50 split. Neat site layout and also has some technical resources and industry news (not the focus of the site though).
Games-JOBS.com - games recruitment jobs in USA, UK, Eurrope. at http://www.games-jobs.com/
Pretty self-descriptive title.
International Game Developers Association at http://www.igda.org/
Professional association for developers of interactive entertainment. A variety of resources anyone can access, and some member-only services such as event discounts and networking (local chapters and whatnot)
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Please feel free to e-mail me if you find any dead links or have suggested additions.
Please feel welcome to visit my homepage at http://champaign.shorturl.com/.