Heyo, Ive been wanting to make a program that could run on Pandora. It's basically going to be a Parody of Gang Garrison 2 (which in turn is a parody of Team Fortress 2) And will be a 16-bit 2d sidescrolling shooter that has multiplayer and server-hosting capabilities, all solely for the pandora. (maybe a different program for pc to do server stuff though). Now, I have VERY basic experience with C++, but what programming language is best for this sort of stuff? Best for pandora? Is my idea even pheasable? I mean I know GG2 isnt portable to Pandora but I believe that's only because it was made in a game maker that doesnt support Pandora or something, and that's why I want to remake it.
Where to start for programming?
- Thread starter Snoa
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gang garrison 2 is open-source and there's a cross-platform reimplementation of game maker (enigma + lateralgm)
you might be able to just port gg2 / enigma to the pandora
you might be able to just port gg2 / enigma to the pandora
sswam
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I suggest to use C, or perhaps C++.
You can get help from some other coder (such as me) if you get stuck with it.
There is a C/C++ dev PND on the repo, it works well for compiling direct on the Pandora.
Enable the sshd service, and use ssh to connect in to Pandora.
Don't use python / pygame, it runs slow on Pandora for some unknown reason
(perhaps the python build was not optimized for OMAP3 / too much floating math).
Check the wiki for some more advice about development.
Several developers hang out in IRC.
You can get help from some other coder (such as me) if you get stuck with it.
There is a C/C++ dev PND on the repo, it works well for compiling direct on the Pandora.
Enable the sshd service, and use ssh to connect in to Pandora.
Don't use python / pygame, it runs slow on Pandora for some unknown reason
(perhaps the python build was not optimized for OMAP3 / too much floating math).
Check the wiki for some more advice about development.
Several developers hang out in IRC.
Last edited by a moderator:
erico
Advanced Member
Just install your OS to an SD card and install ("opkg install foobar") any compiler for any language you want. I'd recommend C or C++ with SDL.
http://pandorawiki.org/Will_X_run_on_the_Pandora%3F
According to the above link it says it can't be ported, but I don't know how old that information is ;-;
ekianjo
Hardcore Member
GLBasic seems to be a good option as well to get performance. I havent tried yet.
diligentcircle
Well-Known Member
Note, though, that ENIGMA is incomplete, so it might not work.
Not true. Python does just as good on the Pandora as any regular PC (relating to overall power of the device; obviously, full desktop PCs tend to be a lot more powerful). You can't be as lazy or fancy as with C++, but the Pandora is perfectly capable of playing a simple 2D Python/Pygame game at full speed.
I don't know how complicated this game needs to be, but if you don't need a constant barrage of animations all the time, I think you can make it work. I personally think it would be quite a fun exercise. Of course, if you don't think it would be a fun exercise, you would probably be better off using C++.
iprice
Certified Guru
It's not just good for performance - it's quick and easy to learn and actually develop with.
A fun exercise to use Pygame? And the animations for the sprites wont be complicated at all. It's mainly the bullet animations and the fire/smoke/gib animations Im worried about. Im also worried about controls, how to aim a crosshair on a 2d game with analog sticks mostly. And I dont even know where to BEGIN with server stuff. But Im not even there yet.
Linux-SWAT
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Or a TRON.
diligentcircle
Well-Known Member
It's not so much the amount of animations, but how much stuff on the screen moves at one time. That and the number of sprites active at any one time are the main bottlenecks (unless you use hardware surfaces, in which case only the number of sprites will be a significant bottleneck). For a platformer, this could be a challenge, mostly because there tends to be a large room with hundreds of objects, and there also tends to be a background that scrolls as you move. Anyway, I think it's going to be a fun challenge, and I also really like Python, which is why I'm doing my next game in Python even though it's not just a platformer, but a puzzle platformer (where moving things like enemies absolutely must continue to move off-screen). But it's something to keep in mind.
Instead of a crosshair, push on the right nub to shoot in the direction the nub points to, like Super Geometry Dust. So to shoot up, push the nub upwards. If you need precision, do this to aim instead and press a button (like R) to shoot.
erico
Advanced Member
Yeah it will be. And I was thinking the same thing, maybe doing Bejeweled or chess etc. Or just non-game related programs in general.
Yeah, I was thinking something like the latter, R to shoot, L to switch between primary and secondary weps, or maybe it'll be an alt-fire.
erico
Advanced Member
Beware of chess, doing the AI is quite difficult.
A spiced up pong could be a good call too.
A spiced up pong could be a good call too.
Yepyep. Sooo I've got a lot of different people saying different things here. Someone suggested GLBasic but I reaaallly want to do all of this in C++ as it's the only language I have ANY experience with, plus my best friend knows it pretty well so he could always help me out. So in that case I need C++ with SDL?
