Archive for March, 2009
Future Plans
As I mentioned in the last post, I could not move the Vectors/Scalars post over without too much issue, so I decided to drop it and instead rewrite it later, also taking into account suggestions I received about its contents. I am considering experimenting with presenting it in a video form where I can explain it better than in a written form.
I also intend to expand it into a series where I will cover the basics for 3D math/objects like what tangents and normals are, as well as an overview of Trigonometry. (Probably as a side video)
I hope to start on these soon, and I am also looking into working on some samples/tutorials for XNA, and maybe even native Direct3D10. I also have some plans for a game I would like to make, but that may take a backseat to everything else + University.
Finally thanks to the nice people at MS Press Australia, I have a copy of Windows via C/C++ 5th Edition to give away with an upcoming review of the same book. I need to consider how I will do this, but expect more information then. (Also if you have suggestions, feel free to contact me via comments, Twitter or email.
Blog Move
Update: It appears that there are some issues with the ISAPI filter and rewriting all the possible URL combos that Wordpress needs. I hope to move to an apache install soon, at which point this will be over. The current permalinks will always work, and hopefully I can have cleaner ones in future.
I have taken the time to move over my most valuable and still relevant posts (okay its just the Halo Wars review) to my new Wordpress installation. I needed to move from a .Net solution as I am not sure if I will be staying with this host in the coming months, and the Blogengine.net software was causing me too many issues to deal with at the moment.
I have already setup a redirect for the Halo Wars post, and am working on a redirect for the RSS feed in the meanwhile.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused, please be sure to update your RSS reader and any bookmarks.
I hope to rewrite the Scalars and Vectors tutorial some time soon, I had some issues with how I wrote it previously and wanted to add some more examples to it.
[Review] Halo Wars
Platform: Xbox 360
Developer: Ensemble Studios
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Rating (USA): T (Teen)
Rating (AU): PG (Parental Guidance Recommended)
Demo: Available on Xbox.com
(This review is based on a release copy of the game graciously provided by MGS)
Halo Wars is the final game to emerge from the venerable Ensemble Studios (Age of Empires series), and the first title from Ensemble to be exclusive to the Xbox 360 console. The game will be released in PAL territories on the 26th February 2009, and in North America on the 3rd March 2009. The title is available in Standard and Limited editions, with the limited edition contained in a plastic covering that holds a Steelbook case for the game, and an extras package for the bonus items, just like Halo 3.
The limited edition contains a code for a Honour Guard Wraith vehicle that can be redeemed on Xbox Live, and a code to download the upcoming Mythic Map pack for Halo 3. It also contains a rubber patch from the Spirit of Fire (the UNSC ship in the game), 6 leader cards that describe the leader powers, and a graphic novel set in the Halo universe.