Getting started with DirectX/C++ Gaming

Getting started with DirectX can be daunting, but there are a couple of new resources out that can help you!

You won’t master DirectX/C++ game development in a day, but if you want some good resources to help you get rolling, there are two great resources you should check out:

• Introduction to C++/DirectX Game Development on Microsoft Virtual Academy
• DirectX/C++ Game Project Template and Getting Started Kit
• If you do watch or build…you could get rewards!

Introduction to C++/DirectX Game Development on Microsoft Virtual Academy

Microsoft Virtual Academy offers a variety of live and recorded sessions on a variety of technologies. Tomorrow, Thursday December 5th, 2013. The session will be available on demand after the event, so if you miss the live date, you don’t have to miss out! Mickey Macdonald and Bryan Griffiths will be doing an introduction to C++/DirectX Game development.

Mickey & Bryan are well equipped to help you learn about building games from the ground up. They’ll cover topics such as game loops, input detection, basic shaders, and state management.

Mickey is an indie game developer and also a technical evangelist at Microsoft. Bryan is a video game design instructor at triOS college and has also worked on AAA title as well as smaller indie and web based games.

Find out more about their session and register here

DirectX/C++ Game Project Template and Getting Started Kit

If you are interested in building a DirectX game for the Windows Store, check out the DirectX game learning template. You will find links to download, information about the template and the Getting Started Guide here.

The learning template extends the basic DirectX app template and adds additional components such as

• InputManager: Consolidated input from touch, mouse, keyboard, and Xbox controllers. 
• Virtual analog controls: A basic virtual controller with tracked-touch analog control and digital buttons. 
• OverlayManager: Add and manage multiple Direct2D overlays for a Direct3D scene.
• SoundPlayer: Add rudimentary sound effects and play music as background audio. Updates to Direct3D resource management.

Thanks to Jim Galasyn for the blog post with the information on this great resource!

If you do watch or build…you could get rewards!

If you are in Canada, register for Developer Movement and you could get rewarded just for watching the session on Microsoft Virtual Academy!

Publish a game to the Windows 8 or Windows Phone store and earn even bigger rewards!

Developer Movement is a loyalty program that can get you anything from a t-shirt to an Xbox One or Surface 2! This year’s theme is Code Kwon-do and we want you to earn your belt promotion through coding (in my opinion anyone who is building a DirectX/C++ is obviously going for their black belt!)

Get all the details and Register today to start earning your rewards! The program expires June 1, 2014.

Comments

• Anonymous
  December 05, 2013
  Hello Susan, I have missed the online telecast, Do you have recorded videos please share to me... If no please let me know any related weblinks for DirectX. My mail Id: damacharlanaresh@gmail.com Thanks & Regards Naresh

• Anonymous
  December 05, 2013
  Hi Naresh, All the sessions presented live on Microsoft Virtual Academy are available afterwards as recordings at www.microsoftvirtualacademy.com but it can take a few days to get the recordings posted. So I would suggest visiting the site next week. When it is available on demand I will add a link to this blog post. Happy coding!