Some basic query about XNA Game Studio Express
Hi,
My question might be little irrelevant to this forum, but I could not stop but ask since the XNA Game Studio Express Beta2 has been released.
I was thinking how relevant the game development expereince in XNA Game Studio Express? I was thinking od writing a new engine in my part time and was looking for some option for game development Api.
I have good knowledge in OpenGL and now was thinking od writing a game engine using Managed DirectX. While considering different options the idea just popped into my mind that why not using XNA express?
Now my question is how relevant the expereince of XNA Game Studio Express in professional game development world? If someonw developed a game in XNA express is this expereince count into XBOX 360 development experience? What is the different betwen the Professional XNA studio and the XNA express? Is it only the deployment limitation or there are other issues also?
I'll appreaciate a good explanation!
Thank you
[1012 byte] By [
pixelord] at [2007-12-26]
In terms of algorithms and learning the best way to use DirectX - its relevant
In terms of being able to say 'I finished a game/game engine' - its relevant
In terms of language - its not so relevant. Today almost all the development is done in C++ (you can make your own prediction on if/when/how much any kind of managed languages will move in becuase it will cause a very long thread).
In terms of learning the XDK - its not relevant becuase GSE gives you little exposure to how xbox development works beyond what you learn about DirectX. XInput and XACT are the only bits you really see.
Right now nobody knows the difference between express and pro becuase there is no information about Pro. We are assuming it will be something you have to pay for and we are assuming it will work with the other Visual Studio products but other than that who knows. I would hope there is an upgrade path from express to pro - it would make sense.
Hi Zman,
Thank you for your kind reply and clear explanation.
I think you are right. If the experience in GSE doesn't help for the Pro version there is no sense of using XNA GSE, keeping in mind to get the expereince in console development. If the Pro version is going to support all the .net language like C++ (which is more relavant in game development) for the performance, managed C++ doesn't make sense as well.
So in case of XBOX 360 development, we are going to need native C++ support (I don't know if the Pro version is going to support that or not). But I need a professional advice that is, to get prepare for XBOX360 development, what should be more relevant before we get hand into a XBOX development kit. Is it the XNA GSE or Managed DirectX or the pure DirectX using native C++?
I would appreciate your decesion in this regard much! :-)
Thank you.
 pixelord wrote: |
| So in case of XBOX 360 development, we are going to need native C++ support (I don't know if the Pro version is going to support that or not). |
|
We are? Why? Part of the purpose of GSE is to provide the ability to do development for the 360 without having to resort to native C++.
| pixelord wrote: |
| But I need a professional advice that is, to get prepare for XBOX360 development, what should be more relevant before we get hand into a XBOX development kit. Is it the XNA GSE or Managed DirectX or the pure DirectX using native C++? |
|
How are you going to get a 360 dev kit? Do you work for a developer that is planning to become registered? If not, you've not much chance of getting one. Go with GSE.
Hi Perry,
I think my point wasn't clear. My question was ...which experience would be more valuable in case of developing a professional game for XBOX 360 with a professional xbox development team? Is it the knowledge of pure DirectX with native C++ or Managed DirectX or the new XNA GSE?
Your answer might have two aspect (I am not sure though), in respect to crrent available xbox development kit or the future Professional XNA game studio.
Waiting for your comment. :-)
| pixelord wrote: |
| I think my point wasn't clear. My question was ...which experience would be more valuable in case of developing a professional game for XBOX 360 with a professional xbox development team? Is it the knowledge of pure DirectX with native C++ or Managed DirectX or the new XNA GSE? |
|
In this case, you'd want to learn unmanaged C++ and DirectX. Realistically, though, you could also learn C# and XNA in order to get some basic understanding of game development (assuming you don't have any already). Many of the concepts will be the same - loading and handling content, managing game states, handling input, etc.
Hi Perry,
Thank you for your valuable advice. I have professional experience in unmanaged C++ and OpenGL. Wrote a mid-level game engine for in house game development. I have very little experience in DirectX and the DirectX effect system.
So, according to your advice I am going to explore DirectX with the unmanaged C++. I I would like to explore te XNA framework occassionally which might help me to get updated with the XNA framework.
Is that a good idea? What do you think?
