Getting Started

General Advice

 * 1) Imagine the game you want to develop. We suggest keeping it simple and focusing on making it work really well. You can discuss your ideas with us on the SwinGame web site.
 * 2) Get a team together to work on the game. Remember it's good if you can put a team together that can cover software development as well as resource creation for your images, music, and sound effects.


 * 1) Decide on which language you will use to implement your game(see below).
 * 2) Download the SwinGame SDK for your language from the Downloads page
 * 3) Get to work creating...
 * 4) * Outline the Vision for your game.
 * 5) * Experimenting with the SwinGame API
 * 6) * Design and Develop your software, images, music, and sound effects
 * 7) * Use the SwinGame forum to get assistance and advice on your game development.

Choosing a Language
SwinGame has been designed to run across a number of languages. You can choose to implement your game in any of the following languages.


 * Pascal
 * C#
 * Visual Basic .NET
 * Visual Basic 6

You can produce great games with any of these languages. The following table lists some of the advantages and disadvantages of the different languages. If you are learning one of these languages at the moment then stick with that, otherwise feel free to choose...

 Language Platforms Compilers Pros Cons Pascal Windows, MacOS, Linux Delphi, Free Pascal Cross platform, Native executables, Fastest games, Great language for learning

C# or Visual Basic.NET Windows, Mono Mono, Visual Studio 2005 Cross platform, Great code editor Not native Visual Basic Windows Visual Basic 6 Easy to learn language Windows only, Slightly slower execution

Installing SwinGame
Once you have chosen the language that you want to use you need to download the appropriate SDK. Each of the SDK downloads as a set of instructions that can help you get started. The instructions will tell you want you need to install, and the steps to run the basic "game" that comes with the SDK.

Designing Your Game
With the SDK installed you can move on to designing and implementing your game. You want to make your game fun, and playable. The SwinGame API can be used to create a variety of 2D games from classic arcade games, role playing games, scrolling shooters, you are really only limited by your imagination ... and time!

To succeed with SwinGame we recommend that you:


 * Start with a simple idea. A basic version of the game with only the essential features.
 * Get this version of the game working, and make it work really well.
 * Then expand your game. Start adding those extra features, testing as you go.

If you focus on the essential features first you will be able to create a playable version sooner. Get it working, then show it to your friends, announce it on the forums, and start getting feedback. You can then begin adding features, and the extras that make the game truly awesome!

For a quick tutorial that will get you up and running have a look at First Step. This quick tutorial walks you through creating a small game, and will help you become familiar with the basics of the SwinGame API.

Distributing Your Game
SwinGames are designed to be shared. The instructions on the SDKs will tell you how to distribute your game. In most cases its just a case of packaging up the files in the bin folder... If you want to share your games on the SwinGame site send your game to Andrew at acain@swin.edu.au (use You Send It to send the files) and we'll promote your game on our site.

Getting Help
Need help with your SwinGame? Use the forum to post up questions about your game design, to report bugs, or to get any general programming help. You can also use the forums to let us know a little able what you are doing with your game and any ideas you have for extending the SwinGame API.