GameDev.net @GDNet@mastodon.gamedev.place

Just your regular friendly reminder that games are for everyone, and development is for everyone too!

Welcome beginning developers, and encourage them on their journey! :)

<3 <3 <3

Latest featured article on building a save system in Unity:

https://www.gamedev.net/articles/programming/general-and-gameplay-programming/building-a-save-system-for-level-objects-in-unity-pt1-checkpoints-r5048/

Deep dive in the archives, in this 2003 article Steve Pavlina describes the differences between "shareware amateurs" and "shareware professionals". Other than the dated "shareware" terminology that has gone the way of the dodo, the advice is still pretty on point today!

http://gamedev.io/lFpOR

https://www.gamedev.net/articles/visual-arts/programmer-art-in-unity-7-techniques-to-achieve-impressive-visuals-without-an-artist-r5062/

A simple format for archiving design decisions:

https://www.gamedev.net/articles/game-design/a-simple-format-to-archive-design-decisions-r5049/

Thanks to our friends at Fishing Cactus for taking the time to share their approach! :)

Our latest featured article shows the workflow of creating a spaceship model for upcoming game Infinite Fleet:

https://www.gamedev.net/articles/visual-arts/xm-03-3d-model-workflow-r5051/

Got something similar to share with the wider #gamedev community? We'd love to provide a platform! You retain full rights to your work, everything is properly attributed, and we do not require exclusivity. :)

In our latest featured article, Matvey "MATov" Cherevko describes how he developed an isometric plugin for Unity. Includes a look at the isometric sorting logic, optimizations, and working with the Unity editor:

https://www.gamedev.net/articles/programming/engines-and-middleware/developing-an-isometric-plugin-for-unity3d-r5046/

https://www.gamedev.net/articles/programming/graphics/a-practical-approach-to-managing-resource-states-in-vulkan-and-direct3d12-r5027/

Discussion on the recent changes to Unity ToS, and alleged revocation of SpatialOS licensing:

https://www.gamedev.net/forums/topic/700639-unity-tos-changes-impact-improbables-spatialos-potentially-thousands-of-devs/

Planning to work with writers for your game? Here are some tips:

https://www.gamedev.net/articles/game-design/writing-for-games/getting-the-best-from-writers-r5044/

Latest featured article:

https://www.gamedev.net/articles/game-design/game-design-and-theory/how-dragon-quest-builders-brings-a-ludus-centric-design-to-a-paidia-centric-mechanic-r5029/

Are you a US-based developer with a complete or near complete PC title? Submit your game to Intel for testing and get in he running for amazing prizes:

http://gamedev.io/RGOI-Contest

Is OOP making your programs less performant and harder to reason about and maintain?

http://gamedev.io/qVF03

How to implement custom UI meshes in #Unity:

https://www.gamedev.net/articles/programming/engines-and-middleware/how-to-implement-custom-ui-meshes-in-unity-r5017/

Are you a US-based #gamedev with a complete or nearly complete PC game?

We're excited to have partnered with Intel to bring you a contest with awesome prizes including marketing, a distribution and publishing meeting, hardware, and more!

Check out the full details:
https://www.gamedev.net/contests/rgoicontest2018

Audio professional and GameDev.net moderator Nathan Madsen shares 5 things he wished he had in his contracts sooner. Mainly aimed at audio professionals, but largely relevant to any freelancer:

https://www.gamedev.net/articles/audio/music-and-sound-fx/madsens-musings-ep10-5-things-i-wish-id-put-in-my-contract-sooner-r5012/

From the archives - an introduction to octrees:

https://www.gamedev.net/articles/programming/general-and-gameplay-programming/introduction-to-octrees-r3529/

Model organic shapes (such as creatures) quickly and easily with the Skin Modifier in Blender:
http://gamedev.io/yhG9N

#gamedev

Flexible room layout algorithm:

https://www.reddit.com/r/gamedev/comments/9pyk94/flexible_room_layout_algorithm_projects_of_some/

#gamedev