Matts Ramblings

Here’s a list of some of the things I’m trying to do this year, I’ll be providing various updates as I go, maybe even some photos!

• I’m going to build a guitar fx pedal, as an excuse to learn how to solder. probably something  like http://www.buildyourownclone.com/reverb.html
• I’m going to write a mac client, and an iPhone application that will communicate over wireless networks. This is part A of SuperSecretProject number 3. Part B requires some actual hardware, a few gutted wiimotes, and some arduinos. This might take a little longer
• Im writing a PC Game, with my own technology. This is SuperSecretProject 1 The technology itself will be shared across the remaining SuperSecretProjects, and some of the other bits n bobs listed here.
• I’m also designing a iPhone game, this is SuperSecretProject number 2.
• I’m designing an iPad application, which uses touch input to generate MIDI/OSC output. The aim would be to run both mac/pc and handheld with editable interfaces for super awesome audio munging funtimes!
• I’m writing music, because my brain just cant take all this programming, all the time.
• I’m reading up on agile processes. The way we make games is broken, there has to be a better way.
• I still need to sit down and learn XNA/C#.

So, anyone have a time machine?

Here’s an old blog post from an old blog site, with some musings on XCode. A few people I know are starting to play with some iPhone dev, so hopefully they’ll find it useful!

After using visual studio for over a decade, moving to XCode has been somewhat, interesting. At first, I found XCode incredibly frustrating, but after reading the docs, and spending some more time with the editor, I’ve come to a point where I feel comfortable using it.

so, to aid other VIsual Studio converts, Im going to list some of the things functionality that I found useful, and that have helped me become a bit more comfortable with the editor.

Condensed View and Editor Grouping

Personally, I find the default XCode layout only adds to the lack of familiarity for VS users. So the first change Id recommend is switching the XCode layout to Condensed. This “un-docks”  the project window from the editor window, and also splits the tree view into three tabs, which makes things feel a little more like the solution tree view in VS.

The trick to using condensed view, is to tick the “Open counterparts in the same editor” in the General page of the XCode preferences. And to enable “Grouping” in the editor window. Enabling Grouping in the editor window, stops XCode spawning a new window for each file you open, something that is often a source of initial confusion.

Vertical editor splits

One of the most useful features of the editor is the ability to split the editor window along the vertical axis.  To create a vertical split alt/option click the “split editor” button.  Unlike VS, the drop down list of open files is global to the editor, as opposed to being local to the split in VS.

Opening the associated header/cpp file

In VS, a common trick is to use alt-h to flick between the header and the cpp. Its possible to bind a similar hot key. it can be found at. Menu Key Bindings -> View -> Switch to Header/Source File.

Open Quickly

One of the features I love the most about Visual Assist, is the file open dialog which searches through your files as you type. XCode has this functionallity hidden under the rather innocuously named “Open Quickly”.  Bind it to a hot key, use it, love it. I wish this feature had a more prominent name instead of being hidden in the docs.

Where do my build rules come from?

This is one that I scratched my head over until it was cleared up by Mike Cohen (cheers!). Its possible to define build rules at multiple points within the project.

The basic rule of thumb is that target rules override project rules. And overridden entries in the target rules will be highlighted in bold.

Don’t use the Project menu to change the project options.

its just confusing, I dont really understand why these appear to override the options for the selected target. One day i shall find out!

Well, thats my list of things, not a lot of changes to make me much happier with the editor!. The only thing that still bugs me on a regular basis is that the expression window doesnt open with (or is part of) the debugger. Hmm..

A person far wiser than I suggested that It’s worthwhile updating one’s resume every six months, or at the end of every project. Yet for some unexplained reason It’s something that I rarely do unless I absolutely have to, mostly because I hate doing it.

Im not even sure why I hate doing it? Why do I detest merely documenting my achievements?

Since I don’t have a suitable reason for my abject hatred of 4 page documents containing a plethora of adjectives and bullet points, I’ve decided to update my CV, and my linked in profile to contain what I’ve been up to at Krome (and not posting here) for the last 8 months.

So, drum roll please!
I have been working on a Microsoft XBLA title called “Game Room” which will let you play a whole stack of retro arcade, and console titles. At launch we’ll have 30 games, but we’ll be releasing more and more over time!.

You also get your own “Arcade” in which to place the cabinets you’ve bought. Our art team has put a lot of time and effort into replicating the cabinets as they were when the games were originally released!

Come the 24th of March, you will hopefully be able to find “Game Room” on an Xbox360 or PC with Games For Windows Live near you!

You can find my linked in profile here and a PDF version of my resume is now available upon request!