GAME PROJECT - A Simple Graphics-based Game in C++
Introduction
The goal of this assignment is to allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the following game related topics in C++:
i. Steps within a Game Loop: input / update / draw. ii. Role of Class Hierarchies (and use of abstract base classes) for simplifying the game loop.
ii. The use of Container Objects to store the entities used within a game and their implementation and use within the game loop.
iii. How to implement basic Interactive Game play Elements such as user input (mouse and/or keyboard) that result in changes to the game scene.
iv. Capacity to read, interpret and modify (somewhat complex) existing code projects.
You are provided with a C++ project called ArcadeGame that implements a basic 'framework' for a game. This framework code implements the basic game loop, a base abstract Sprite class and a demonstration of a Box class that is derived from the base Sprite class.
You are asked to extend and/or modify this code base to demonstrate your proficiency in C++ coding and game element programming.
Stages -
To achieve the goal of demonstrating a sufficient understanding of the C++ language, the submitted game software should achieve these incremental stages:
Stage 1 - Deriving from the Sprite base class
Based on the current 'Box Sprite' class, design and implement additional derived classes for 'Circle Sprite' and 'Bitmap Sprite' - which use the lower level API of the WinCanvas class.
Use these new classes to create a picture with each of these primary sprites types. Note: The positions of these sprites can be hard-coded into your program and can be static.
Stage 2 - Moving Sprite objects
Now that you have the ability to place various sprites within you scene, provide velocity to them and have them move around the screen. This can involve simple movement such as moving in the direction of the x- or y-axis (across or up/down the screen, respectively) and when they leave the edge of the screen they 'wrap' around and return on the other side.
Stage 3 - Scene containing a variety of moving Sprite objects
Extend and use the 'Scene' class that provides a container for an arbitrary number of Sprite objects (Note, this is a container of base-class pointers, which allows you to store pointers of various derived classes and access them through the base class pointer!). The Scene object should allow Sprite pointers to be 'added' and 'removed'.
Use this container to iterate over and for each element call the objects' respective update() and draw() methods.
Stage 4 - User Input
Allow the user to interact with the sprites through simple user input (keyboard and/or mouse input). For example, allow the user to enter 'C' for the creation of a new Circle object, or use the mouse click to alter the state of objects (or even remove them from the scene).
Stage 5 - Controllable Player Sprite Class
Design and create a Player class that can be controlled from user input (keyboard W, A S, D for example). The player can be represented by one of the Sprites you have already created, or be altered depending on the input used (for example a different Bitmap for an player moving left to that of a player moving right).
Optional Game Features/Functionality - Bonus Marks
If you wish, you can provide additional functionality or features that further demonstrate your understanding and knowledge of the C++ language. Areas that could be considered (but not limited to) include:
- Improved interaction/collision detection/resolution between objects
- File system interaction - for the loading of game scene description data
- Bitmap sprite animation
- Implementation of appropriate design patterns (eg. object factory, object pools, command pattern, etc.)
Attachment:- Arcade Game Code.zip