0.10 Xna0118-the xna framework and the game class  (Page 2/16)

Preface

This module is one in a collection of modules designed primarily for teaching GAME 1343 Game and Simulation Programming I at Austin Community College in Austin, TX. These modules are intended tosupplement and not to replace the textbook.

The modules were originally published for use with XNA 3.1 and have been upgraded for XNA 4.0. This upgrade had very little impact on earlier modules inthis collection. However, beginning with this module, we begin to see major differences between version 3.1 and version 4.0 ofXNA. In May of 2016, the modules are being updated for use with version 4.0 Refresh . This will have very little impact on the modules. Here is what Microsoft has to say about the newer product:

This course doesn't address Visual Basic or Windows Phone, but bug fixes are always welcome.

An earlier module titled Getting Started provided information on how to get started programming with Microsoft's XNA Game Studio.

Moving from C# to XNA

All of the modules prior to this one have been preparing you for this module. This is the module where we will begin applying what you have learned about C#and OOP to the XNA framework.

My objective

My objective is that you fully understand what you are doing when you write C# programs using the XNA framework. I don't want you to simply be filling inthe blanks and hacking something together in hopes that you can find a combination of statements that seems to work. If we can accomplish that, you will be prepared to go much further into the sophisticated use of the XNAframework on your own after you complete the course.

Fasten your seatbelt

This module may be a rough ride from a technical viewpoint, so fasten your seatbelt, arm yourself with a pot of coffee, and let's go.

Viewing tip

I recommend that you open another copy of this module in a separate browser window and use the following links to easily find and view the Figuresand Listings while you are reading about them.

Figures

• Figure 1 . Initial game window.
• Figure 2 . Raw image with an (almost) transparent background.
• Figure 3 . Cropped upper-left corner of the game window
• Figure 4 . Cropped upper-left corner of the game window without honoring alpha transparency.
• Figure 5 . Select New Project on the Visual C# File menu.
• Figure 6 . Select a Windows Game project.
• Figure 7 . Solutions explorer and properties window exposed.
• Figure 8 . The Load method of the ContentManager class.

Listings

• Listing 1 . Initial contents of the file named Program.cs for a Console Application.
• Listing 2 . The file named Program.cs for a Windows Game project.
• Listing 3 . Initial contents of the file named Game1.cs.
• Listing 4 . Beginning of the class named Game1.
• Listing 5 . Constructor for the Game1 class.
• Listing 6 . The overridden LoadContent method.
• Listing 7 . Beginning of the Game.Draw method.
• Listing 8 . Draw the sprite.
• Listing 9 . Call Game.Draw on the superclass.
• Listing 10 . The Game1 class for the project named XNA0118Proj.