XNA is a new tool set from Microsoft aimed at game developers. It is layered over the DirectX but instead of being only a managed wrapper, it encapsulates the low level details and allows developers to concentrate more on making games by taking care of repetitive, low level code.

I always support the code simplification and I’m ready to sacrifice some speed if framework allows me to skip low level details and concentrate on making the games. Managed DirectX was just as complicated in .NET languages as in C++. This was bad deal, mostly you gained nothing but in the process you lost the speed and native environment of C++.

Now I’m really interested in what XNA can actually do. I mean, tech demos and screnshots show that almost everything is possible but i want to find out what can be done the easy way.

To start making games with XNA one can use only free software (except Windows). Visual C# Express and XNA Game Studio Express are free to download. (XNA Creators Club Online)

Creating a new project in C# Express we can use Windows Game template which sets up the basic game environment, update and draw loops. Such project from the box already draws an empty window on the screen. This shows the main advantage of XNA. If you want to quickly draw something on the screen, you can do it immediately and setup the rest later. Culling mode, back buffer format and lightning can be set when needed. Managed DirectX required you to start a new project with bunch of presentation parameters and renter stares.

So, let’s build something:

• Terrain project
  • Part 1
  • Part 2
• Other
  • Camera calculations
  • Catching the mouse
• Finish
  • Rolling the ball

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