Coding With Algoid

 

Algoid, or rather Al, is a nifty “learners” programming language much like Scratch. The field of programming is expanding and with it so are new ways of learning how to break into the field, whether it’s for hobby or for money. Before speaking in regards to Algoid I must first explain its differences with the learning language Scratch. Scratch was developed with the idea of children in mind. It is a fairly simplistic language/IDE that allows the users to “drag and drop” code in order to develop small cartoons, games, etc. Although it is a fantastic idea, it is not totally appealing to a more teen-adult audience.

Now, Algoid is a programming language developed by CyaNn. The language was developed as a learning language for those of all ages wishing to learn how to code. Learning is done so through the use of “code snippets.” The neatest thing about this language is that the IDE is available for Mac, Linux, Windows, Android, Rasberry Pi and Web Browsers. I want to draw close attention to the Android IDE because this allows users to learn on the go with a tablet or smartphone as apposed to traditionally using a laptop or home computer to learn programming. The IDE is broken into two sections allowing users to run and view their code. Anyone wishing to learn more about Algoid can visit the main site at http://www.algoid.net. Tutorials can be found at AlgoidTuts and also in the Android app store.

Tweaking OpenSuse

There are people who sometimes get bored with their current operating system and wish to venture off and discover what others have to offer. Then they’res the particular group of people who wish they could develop their very own OS that came packed with all the programs they need. Well, thanks to OpenSuse, a Linux distribution, there is a way for users to essentially develop their own OS based off of OpenSuse & KDE.

Suse Studio allows users to customize the Suse distribution to their liking. You are allowed the chance to scroll through the database of known linux applications and install them. You can develop the OS around a single concept such as: music production, graphic design & web development and, of course, you can develop an entirely different looking OS all together. Suse Studio even allows for you to upload your own logo and wallpapers to officially make the OS “yours.” But the fun doesn’t stop there. What I found so unique about this was the fact that it isn’t only about building your own system, but it also has a sort of “social network” side to it where everyone can share and, essentially, show off their creations.

Linux has most certainly gained popularity over the years and is beginning to be recognized by a large community computer users. Not to mention the Linux Distro Ubuntu will be making its way into phones this year. If anything, Suse studio should be something that everyone is eager to try out, even if it’s just for fun!

Coding On The Go

For those who are well versed in programming, an issue has been being away from your computer. Not saying it’s bad to be away from your computer, however if you have a deadline to meet and you find yourself having to take the train or away on vacation and need to get some work done, what are you to do?

Well, there is DroidEdit!

Certainly not the first text editor developed for tablets and smartphones, however it is, in my experience, the most stable text editor with a nicely designed UI. There are currently two version of DroidEdit: Free & Pro. The free version, of course, comes with advertisements enabled.

Combining this and a cloud based service where your code is stored, like GitHub or Dropbox, would be the perfect combination for programming on the go!

Software To Keep An Eye On

We live in a world riddled with multiple programs that allow us to create video games, phone applications and many other projects as well. However, after some time, we may get fed up with the changes to the programs we have become accustomed to or the program may not suite our needs any more. So what do we do? Well, plenty of programs sprout up every year and deserve our attention!

Enide Studio Works as an Eclipse plugin, however, it is primarily an IDE for node.js development. Node.js is a fairly new programming language to me (first time I heard of it was when I signed up for my Ghost blog). Whether the language is entirely new or just making a rise on the programming scene it is good to have an IDE aimed at developing in that language.

Polycode I’m unsure as to how old the Polycode project is but it looks as if it will be an impressive piece of software. Although Polycode can be used for multiple projects, such as: video production and interactive video displays, what is most notable is that it doubles as a 2D game engine. The only issue I have with this program is that it requires you to perform a source code install. The website has a guide to installing the program and there are also plenty of YouTube tutorials for installing the source code and getting the interface up and running.

LimeText This project is amazing, in terms of who began developing it. Originally a user of the commercial text editor Sublime Text disagreed with the constant updates to the program and started an open source text editor project called Lime Text. Now, there are a few developers working to improve Lime Text. Currently Lime Text does not have its own installer and must be installed via source code.

Atom Text Editor A long awaited software developed by GitHub, the Atom Text Editor is exactly that, a text editor. It is an Open Source text editor that allows users to customize the interface with the use of CSS and there is also the ability to add other features with the use of HTML and Javascript programming. But it doesn’t stop there. The editor also allows for the integration of node.js programming as well as C++ and C. The only available installer, currently, is for Mac OSX. Other operating systems will require you to install via source code.

Teaching Children To Code

In today’s technological age application development and game development are on the rise. However, there is a shortage of people who actually know how to code and learning how to code can be like learning a new language. So, Why not teach your child how to code, giving them an early start with a profitable skill!

Introduce your children to Scratch! Scrath is a fairly new program that is aimed at helping children to code with simple functions. The program allows children to create their own animations, stories & games. Scratch has a fairly large community with over hundreds of completed projects. And what’s the best part of all of this? It’s free!

Also, feel free to fool around with this software if your an adult as well! We all have to start somewhere so it might as well be somewhere that’s simple.

Learning UDK: Unreal Development Kit

Learning a skill like game development, graphic design, audio production, programming, etc. can be excrutiatingly hard when you don’t know where to start. Most of the skills are better off learning at home in your free time, but the huge question is: Where do I start?

Finding tutorials isn’t as easy as it seems. Ever try to look up how to create a Side Scrolling 2.5D game in Unity? Near damn impossible unless you have years of experience in Unity. So why learn UDK, Unreal Development Kit, when there are plenty of other 2D or non programming engines you can start off in? Well sure UDK is a 3D engine, which can be the hardest to learn, but I have stumbled upon a FREE (yes I write that in caps because I’m literally amazed that it’s actually free) book that takes you in depth into game creation within UDK. It is very hands on and easy to keep up with for those who have no previous experience.

Want to know more? Check out the article & download site here: UDK Book

Free Game Design Tools 2!

I must really learn to stop saying I’m going to end certain posts. Literally two days after my last software post I discovered almost a dozen other free game creation tools. Well here we go:

Cry Engine 3

The Cry Engine 3 SDK is an all in one 3D game development environment. It is available for free if you use it for non-commercial games.This engine looks fantastic and can do some pretty amazing things.

Cry Engine 3 is available for Windows

Tululoo Game Creator

Tululoo is an HTML game creation software. It’s site states that it is an “advanced game editor” but sadly it doesn’t look as advanced as most free 2D game creation softwares. However, it is worth mentioning because it is a free game creator.

Tululoo is available for Mac, Linux & Windows

Pygame

Pygame is a game creator for those familiar with python programming. It is a highly portable engine and is made for ease of use.

Pygame is available for Mac, Linux & Windows

Enigma

This one got me excited and then disappointed. Enigma is derived from the acclaimed program Game Maker. Being able to do everything Game Maker can, one should be excited and especially when it is “cross platform.” However, although I’m sure Enigma is a fantastic dev environment, it is not really cross platform. For those of you who have Windows please let me know how this software is. Unfortunately even though they boast this program is cross platform, there is no Mac version & whether or not there is a Linux distro I’m unsure of.

Enigma is available for Windows (& maybe linux)

PlayN

This engine is created by Google developers. Play N is a game library which allows Java programmers to create games for HTML5, Android, Java & Flash.

PlayN is available for Windows

RPG Toolkit

RPG toolkit is a free and easy to use dev kit for those wishing to create rpg games. The toolkit has it’s own type of scripting code which is easy to learn with help from RPG Toolkits online community.

RPG Toolkit is available for Windows

Scroller Game Creator

Scroller Game Creator is self explanatory. This creator is for anyone looking to make 2D scrolling games.

Scroller Game Creator is available for Windows

RPG Maker

RPG maker is free to use but there is a paid version which I would recommend purchasing. This creator is definitely a go to creator if you are looking to make 2D RPG games.

RPG Maker is available for Windows

Adventure Game Studio

This is another title that is self explanatory. AGS allows users to drag and drop their artwork into the dev environment. This software looks like it’s used for children’s games and games made by kids who are interested in game creation.

Adventure Game Studio is available for Windows

SI02 Engine

SI02 Engine is a 2D & 3D game engine for iOS, Android, Mac & Windows game creation. This is a pretty advanced engine and requires users to learn the softwares coding.

SI02 Engine is available for Mac & Windows

Flowlab

Flowlab is unique. It is an online game creation software. Everything from creation to distribution is done from within your own web browser.

Flowlab is an online software

Arianne

Arianne is a multiplayer online games framework and engine. Any Java/Python programmer looking to create multiplayer games should take a look at this program.

Arianne is available for Mac, Linux & Windows

Shiva 3D

Shiva 3D contains a lot of similarities to the Unity game creator. I don’t know to much about Shiva so some outside input would be great because its website makes it seem like a dream software to have.

Shiva 3D is available for Mac & Windows

Software Spotlight: Stencyl

Stencyl is a game creation software where users can create games for Flash, HTML5, iOS, Android & Windows/Mac computers.

Why this software is receiving a spotlight will be revealed as we continue; for now let us start with the bad. GameMaker Studio, Construct 2, Game Salad, Game Develop, oh the list can go on for a while. These software, like most others, are a dime a dozen and their developers unfortunately do nothing to make theirs stand out from the competition. In fact most are highly identical to one another, especially these “drag & drop” “no coding needed” editors. GameMaker would actually be the one that should stand out above the competition for these game creators, but since it’s Mac version is dated when compared to it’s Windows version, it doesn’t.

So what makes Stencyl so special? For one it’s available on all three main operating systems, Windows, Mac & Linux.

For beginners, coding is very simple (shown to the left). Beginners are able to set variables in a very simple manner. Coding can be applied to everything: characters, stages, enemies, etc. This makes it very simple for users to jump right in and get started with the creation process. Although many game creation softwares offer easy coding for beginners, I feel as if Stencyl is the easiest I have seen.

Another great asset that comes along with Stencyl is the StencylForge Game Assets. These game assets are multiple different assets created and shared between the Stencyl community. Here users can find everything they need to help build their first few games. Assets include: fonts, sounds, tilesets (used to floors in stages), backgrounds, behaviors & resource packs (pre-set coding) and actor types (game sprites). Of course you can create all of this and import it into Stencyl, but it’s always great having access to free game assets.

Creating your stages are as simple as painting in Microsoft paint. As for your actor types, you simply drag and drop them onto the scene. Stencyl has provided an appealing environment and an ease-of-use environment in order to help the mobile game creation process simple. So why have I given Stencyl a spotlight? Because it is a software worth checking out for the indie game creators and since it’s free to download you can’t really go wrong.

If you are interested in giving Stencyl a shot please find them at: www.stencyl.com

Love Stencyl and having trouble getting your first game started? Check out these tutorials!

Free Game Design Tools!

You want to make video games but you’re totally unsure of where to start. Or maybe your an expert at coding and are looking for the perfect program to design things in. It really doesn’t matter why you want to design games. What does matter is being pointed in the right direction! (Note I’ve done a post similar to this one with game design tools but it is not as extensive)

**This will my last post on free tools! I can assume that I have covered every area of communications with free software. After this I will create posts on tutorials in regards to using some programs**

Free Game Design Tools

Blender 3D

As of its recent update release, Blender 3D is no longer just a 3D modeling software. It now features a game engine that supports python programming. Both the python language and blender are advanced so I would not jump in quickly without doing any tutorial research.

Blender is available for Mac, Linux & Windows

Game Salad

Game Salad is 2D game engine that is available free with limited capabilities. There are many other programs much like Game Salad that allow for drag and drop backgrounds, sprites, etc. Another great thing about this software is that it is for beginners who do not know to much about the programming side of game creation.

Game Salad is available for Mac & Windows

Stencyl

I can talk for hours about Stencyl. It is much like Game Salad & Game Maker Studio with a single difference. Rather than searching across the Internet for game sprites, Stencyl has its own game community that shares sprites, levels and even programming for re-use in other games. As far as 2D game engines go, Stencyl is definitely my go to choice.

Stencyl is available for Mac, Linux & Windows

Unity

Unity is a 3D game engine. Unity can do a lot of amazing things so don’t lack your lack of skills with Unity drive you away. There are a lot of fantastic tutorials out there that can turn you from a novice into a pro in no time.

Unity is available for Mac & Windows

Game Maker Studio

Game Maker Studio is a 2D/2.5D game engine. I have seen some great looking games come from this engine and not to mention a lot of friends have told me I should use Game Maker. I have also read that this is a great program to use in collaboration with Blender in order to create 2.5D games.

Game Maker Studio is available for Windows

Three.js

Three.js is a 3D javascript game engine for those who are use to writing in javascript.

Three.js is available for Windows

Flixel

Flixel is an open source flash gaming library. It is free for personal and commercial use and has been used to create various adult swim games. Any true beginner in game development may want to start here.

Flixel is available for Windows

LWJGL

LWJGL is abbreviated because its name is a mouthful. It stands for Lightweight Java Game Library. This is a collection of gaming libraries aimed at javascript users.

LWJGL is available for Windows

Construct 2

Construct 2 is another 2D game engine for beginners and experts. Construct is another great place to start in the gaming production.

Construct 2 is available for Windows

Engine 001

Engine 001 is a free 2D game engine that does all the game coding for you.

Engine 001 is available for Windows

ClanLib

ClanLib is a cross platform C++ SDK.

ClanLib is available for Mac, Linux & PC

Game Develop

Game Develop is a 2D game Engine. I can’t say much about this engine. Not because most free engines are the same. It’s because I’ve never gotten it to install. I always seem to get a corrupted download. If anyone has it installed please let me know how it is.

Game Develop is available for Mac, Linux & Windows

Kobold 2D

Kobold 2D is a package for developing i-phone apps and games using cocos2D.

Very similar to Kobold 2D is Alice

Both are available for Mac & Windows

Free Tools For Graphic Designers Part 2- Videography Edition

Shame on me. Why do I say that? Because I published a post about free graphic design tools and left some of the most important free tools out! The Video Editing tools! Well let us quickly cover what free videography tools are out there! I must warn though, most of the softwares on this list will not be as advanced as their buy-to-use rivals.

Videography

Avidemux

Avidemux is a very simple video editor. It was simply created for the simple editing, filtering and encoding projects. So if you are looking to do quick editing work without any extra graphics or text then this is the program for you!

Avidemux is available for Mac, Windows & Linux

OpenShot

OpenShot was just another simple editing program, however it is currently undergoing many different changes such as the addition of animation presets. Big things can be expected of OpenShot and is worth giving a shot.

OpenShot is available for Linux

Lightworks

Lightworks has a very sleek design that makes it an appealing program. It is very advanced for a free software but there might be slight learning curves. If you don’t mind learning how to use Lightworks then go right ahead and give it a try.

Lightworks is available for Windows

KDenlive

KDenlive is a very simple video editing software with no animation presets.

KDenlive is available for Mac & Linux

PiTiVi

Yet another simple video editor made for those who do not have extensive knowledge about editing videos.

PiTiVi is available for Linux

Cinelerra

Cinelerra is one of the more advanced video editors available for Linux computers.

Cinelerra is available for Linux

Ezvid

Ezvid is one of my favorites because it saved my life (well not really) at one of my student worker jobs. It is a lightweight application (as compared to most of the other mentioned her) and is quick to pick up. Ezvid is mainly for small time editing and slideshow creation.

Ezvid is available for Windows