Prep Work

ArmchairArmada on 2008/09/03 02:39

I usually just stumble through these sort of things at the last minute, but I thought maybe I should use this week for a little bit of preparation. What sort of suggestions do any of you have for getting ready for PyWeek? I think I should be doing something, but I don't know exactly what.

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Comments

richard on 2008/09/03 03:12:

Write a space invaders clone.

RB[0] on 2008/09/03 03:28:

I just did that! LOL but a good idea none the less ;)

claxo on 2008/09/03 03:57:

These are very basic, probably you have done those:
. Check that the libraries you will use are installed and working ( pygame, pyglet,etc)
. Check that the tools you will use ( svn, code editors, image editor, format converters for image and sound, sound editors, etc) are working.
. Exercise the tools in small chains, to have fresh the steps you will need to do. By example do a two cell animation, code to show that. Do some sound fx and code to hear. If you intend to do 3D, make a simple model and code to show.

Seems silly, but can save some hours ( and sharpenes ). By example, doing animation with current Inkscape, there were some defects with alpha. Working on it, I now know to use page color (0,0,0,0), dont use color pure white, and it will work. It took some time.

. Probably looking the examples comming with the libraries you intend to use its worth. Thinker with them so you are refreshed in the basics for that library: resource handling, animation, sound, events, initializations, etc.

my two cents, hope it helps.

richard on 2008/09/03 04:17:

Oh yeah, then there's the official pyweek help :)

ArmchairArmada on 2008/09/03 04:30:

I guess I'm just a little antsy. I think I have everything I need working correctly ... but I don't want to just be sitting here waiting for the competition to begin! Patience is hard sometimes! I guess I could fool around with making some simple games.

nihilocrat on 2008/09/03 15:56:

Write a space invaders clone.
Do this, and use the Tyrian sprites or some other free sprites if you want to practice sprite-related stuff. Make a clone of some sort of game with very simplistic rules which still incorporates things such as automated enemy movement, projectiles, enemy/player respawn, that sort of thing. Throw in some sound, and if you are somewhat more intermediate, manage the game events with proper event handling.