I've been playing around with the idea of making a computer game for a while now, and I've got a question about the planning stages.

Is there a "best" software to use when outlining the framework? For example, if I were to start writing down interrelationships between objects: setting up class inheritances, outlining functions, etc.

Is there a software package which easily allows you to keep track of each class, perhaps setting up links or popups or such to other interrelated objects?

... or do most people just use paper/pencil?

enigma

One thing I like to stress though is having a clear set of requirements. In defense you typically see this as the list of "shalls". More specifically it's a list of what the software "shall" do (e.g. The software shall process wave forms within 0.1 seconds). Now defense is pretty admin heavy, but this basic idea applies everywhere. Having very clear requirements of what your software will do can help immensely with keeping you on track and building a balanced product.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but it's an impulse for me to get my $0.02 in there. I wish you the best of luck!

One consideration to keep in mind:
-Scalability.
This means make your routines as generic as possible. From things such as screen size, object creation, sound, etc. For example, if your program works great in 1024x768, will it look right in 800x600? If you use sound, what happens if the user has no sound card? Maybe you should check.
Scalability enables you to (1) reusable code, (2) prevent some machine dependent errors, (3) make the app look right independent of the resolution.

Specific example:
Suppose you are drawing a graphics sprite 10 pixels wide and high. You want it to be initially placed in the center of the screen. You are using 800x600 resolution. You could program it to be displayed at x = (800 - 10) /2 and y = (600-10)/2. However if the person using your program is using 1024x768 resolution the sprite will appear in the upper left quadrant of the screen. It would be better to program it to be displayed at x = (screenwidth - spritesize)/2 and y = (screenheight - spritesize)/2. This will allow any screen resolution and sprite size to be positioned correctly.

Hope that helps. I might add more later.

http://www.microsoft.com/office/visio/default.asp

Also, if your into .Net programming, Visual Studio.Net keeps track of everything for you.

A game is a behemoth of a project. Programmers spend months just planning it's structure before even touching code.

The days of a single person making games in their bedroom are long since gone.

You could always make a simple game if you had the time, but I stress, even this will be a harrowing experrience.

It would be a lot easier if you were working in a group of some sort.

quote:

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Originally posted by ObsessiveMathsFreak:
Forget it.

A game is a behemoth of a project.

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Oh, come on!

No, actually, I'm fully aware of that fact. Making a game is just a pipe dream of mine.

I'm frustrated by the types of games which are being developed in the US. I don't like FPS, and I got tired of RTS after Red Alert. The last three games I actually enjoyed for more than a day were either made by German companies (mainly for European release) or released online only.

For me now, the real underlying reason why I'd like to do something (even if it's just a shadow of what I've built in my mind) is because I'd like to teach myself how to do some things with CG. I'd never have the time to actually finish a game as well as finish my degree, but I could probably learn some basic OpenGL and not fail in the process.

enigma