XNA - Update

With the journey started not so long ago with XNA, i have done quite good of an improvement in this field. I have hit Chapter 4 in "Beginning XNA 3.0 Game Programming From Novice to Professional". It is a great book. Very well documented and the explanation is superb. It is also filled with countless coding examples so you can see what you learn in action. Another bonus is it teaches on top of XNA itself how to organize your game (or any other application) code by splitting it into smaller modules. In a nutshell, this book is a great way to start with this subject. If you feel like tackling some game programming just get a copy of this book and go for it.

XNA

My latest interest in the world of technology is Microsoft's XNA. XNA is a .NET based Software Development Kit that's geared towards game design. It's designed for hobbyists and independent game designers but once you start working with it, you will see that it has a nice professional feel to it as well.

To get started you need Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 (for XNA 2.0) or Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 (for XNA 3.0 and 3.1) and the XNA SDK, which can be found at http://www.xna.com.

If you feel like making a game or two, check it out. It can set you on the right path to professional game design.

Heavy Rain - Happy Ending

I finished with Heavy Rain for the first time, and was lucky enough to hit the Happy Ending of it. With that out of the way, I should revisit the game for a look at the darker endings. As a post-play review, the game is brilliant. The interaction system is new and unique, and needs a bit to adjust to. The character evolution (or devolution) that runs with the game is perfect. The non-interactive cut-scenes feel like watching a great film and the interactive fast paced action where certain button strokes are needed take that film into an action extravaganza. That is all i can say without blurting out any spoilers even though i feel like going endlessly about it. Again, if you are lucky to own a PS3, get Heavy Rain.

Heavy Rain

I borrowed Heavy Rain from my future brother-in-law, not knowing that the journey begins with the box itself. After opening the box you will find a pre-cut piece of paper that resembles the box-shot's origami.Once you slot in the blue-ray disc, and as you are installing the game, a step-by-step tutorial takes you from a square piece of paper to the origami itself. You have to admit, psyching players before the game start is a bonus. It gets you right in the mood. A must buy for any PS3 owner out there.