03-05-2010, 09:45 PM
I have some code I'm never going to really use and it'd be a shame to let it go to waste, so I had an idea: start an open-source group project. I'm sure we all have those half-finished games, and this'd be a great way to get those projects done.
Pretty much someone would put up their unfinished code and start a list of parts that are left to do. People would then sign up for parts - much like a sprite project - and program those parts. The project starter then puts all of everyones work together, slap everyone's names on, and distribute it as an open-source game.
Of course, not everybody knows every language, so it'd be up to the project starter to help teach the other group members how to do things in that language. Code isn't always crystal clear, either, so it'd also be up to the project leader to tell the group members what everything does.
I think this would be an excellent way to get new people into game development, having them work on various different types of programming (like programming the fighting system or developing the NPC dialogue system) with a mentor helping them.
And if anyone is at all interested, I have an XNA Pokemon engine I could do this to. I'd be willing to teach anyone XNA and the game's design isn't set in stone, so you'd have input on that.
Pretty much someone would put up their unfinished code and start a list of parts that are left to do. People would then sign up for parts - much like a sprite project - and program those parts. The project starter then puts all of everyones work together, slap everyone's names on, and distribute it as an open-source game.
Of course, not everybody knows every language, so it'd be up to the project starter to help teach the other group members how to do things in that language. Code isn't always crystal clear, either, so it'd also be up to the project leader to tell the group members what everything does.
I think this would be an excellent way to get new people into game development, having them work on various different types of programming (like programming the fighting system or developing the NPC dialogue system) with a mentor helping them.
And if anyone is at all interested, I have an XNA Pokemon engine I could do this to. I'd be willing to teach anyone XNA and the game's design isn't set in stone, so you'd have input on that.