Noel Berry, Programmer at Extremely OK Games, discusses developing Celeste and Earthblade, gameplay engineering, C# vs. C++ for game dev. Joe Nash shares insights on game development, coding languages, and exploring new technologies. Topics include Celeste 64, Pico 8, XNA framework, open-source platform game engineering, Celeste 64 development, transitioning to 3D gameplay, design of platform games, and game development tools for indie developers.
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Quick takeaways
Development of Celeste 64 and Earthblade signifies a milestone for Extremely OK Games.
Noel Berry's journey into game development started with GameMaker, showcasing his evolution as a programmer.
Embracing limitations in game development fosters creativity and problem-solving, as seen in tools like Pico-8.
Deep dives
New Projects at Extremely OK Games
Extremely OK Games recently released Celeste 64, an open source project to honor the original Celeste's sixth anniversary, and their next major game, Earthblade, is currently in development. This signifies a milestone for the company, with Noel Barry, a programmer at Extremely OK Games, providing insights on developing Celeste and Earthblade in the podcast episode.
Noel Barry's Journey into Game Development
Noel Barry shares his journey into game development, starting with GameMaker at a young age. Initially lacking coding knowledge, he gradually honed his skills by experimenting and modifying existing code, eventually transitioning to coding independently. This transition marked his entry into the world of game development and programming.
Incorporating Limitations in Game Development
The discussion includes Noel Barry's preference for limitations in game development, highlighting the appeal of tools like Pico-8 for their creative restrictions. Embracing constraints, such as those in Pico-8, encourages creative problem-solving and exploration within a confined framework.
Technology Behind Celeste and Earthblade
Noel Barry provides insights into the technology behind Celeste, featuring the deprecated Microsoft game framework XNA for development. The transition towards using C# allowed for greater flexibility and compatibility, facilitating the development of Celeste on various platforms. Furthermore, the open-source ports of XNA, like MonoGame and FNA, enhanced accessibility and support for the game.
Approach Towards Game Development and Tools
The podcast explores Extremely OK Games' approach to game development, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, excitement for the projects, and enjoying the process with a team of like-minded individuals. The team's inclination towards creating their own tools and frameworks stems from a desire for creative control, learning experiences, and a deeper understanding of the systems involved.
Celeste is a critically acclaimed action platformer developed by Extremely OK Games. They recently released Celeste 64 which is an open source project to commemorate the 6th anniversary of the original Celeste, and development of their next major game, Earthblade, is underway.
Noel Berry is a programmer at Extremely OK Games and he joins the show to talk about developing Celeste and Earthblade, gameplay engineering, the state of C# versus C++ for game development, and more.
Joe Nash is a developer, educator, and award-winning community builder, who has worked at companies including GitHub, Twilio, Unity, and PayPal. Joe got his start in software development by creating mods and running servers for Garry’s Mod, and game development remains his favorite way to experience and explore new technologies and concepts.