|
The Xbox? Kit is an add-on library of building
blocks specifically geared to Xbox? game development. A new interface
within Virtools Dev manages communication with the Xbox? console,
putting the power of Virtools Dev in the hands of Xbox? development
teams while also simplifying data conversion and overall optimization.
With Xbox? Kit high-level behaviors, Virtools Dev users get access to
console technology without ever leaving Devfs intuitive graphical
development environment. The Xbox? Kit facilitates seamless prototyping
as well as full production of Virtools-based games for the Xbox?
platform.
|
|
Develop With
Virtools, Play on Xbox?
The Xbox? Kit is an add-on package that expands Virtools Dev
capabilities to facilitate game development for the Xbox? platform. 19
new building blocks enable developers to manage game pads, memory
units, saving and loading games ? all directly in the Virtools
Schematic View.
The Xbox? Kit supports nearly all standard Dev features and building
blocks and can be used in conjunction with any of the Virtools Dev
Add-on Packages. With Virtoolsf innovative graphical programming
process at the core of the authoring platform, developers using the
Xbox? Kit are able to focus on gameplay and optimization, for Xbox?
games with fantastic graphics and cutting-edge interactivity.
Hassle-free
Game Development: Quit Worrying About Data Conversion and Optimization
The Xbox? Kit includes an exclusive editor, accessible in the Virtools
Dev interface, which offers numerous possibilities for exporting
Virtools compositions, media and more in accordance with specific Xbox?
features.
Once a game has been created in Virtools Dev, the testing process is
simple and straightforward. Transfer data in just a few mouse clicks.
Export to the Xbox? with your choice of media formats. Using these
high-level features, developers have powerful, cutting-edge technology
at their fingertips to drive playable prototypes and run time games to
the Xbox?.
Author
Shaders in Your game Environment
If your composition includes shaders, you can edit them on the fly and
make instant updates to the Xbox?. No need to reload the entire
composition ? simply update new shader parameters. This precious
feature lets developers tune shaders in real gaming situations and see
visual enhancements immediately. Hardware skinning shaders with up to
four bones per vertex are supported, freeing up the CPU and maximizing
Xbox? GPU usage.
Develop
Low-Level Features and Custom Players with the Xbox? Kit SDK
Developers can build their games using the unique Virtools Schematic
high-level programming process, but gameplay can also be scripted via
Virtools Scripting Language (VSL). JIT compilation to native x86
assembly code makes it possible to maximize VSL performance on Xbox?
consoles. Other benefits include development of custom low-level
features using the Xbox? Kit SDK, and the Virtools Dev Shader Editor
for creating programmable vertex and pixel shaders. All these features
are designed to provide developers with sophisticated control over the
rendering pipeline, stunning visual effects and valuable
post-processing techniques.
Profile your
Game Content
Xbox? games made with Virtools can be accurately profiled using Xbox?
profiling tools. Both debug and instrumented Virtools run time let
developers analyze execution timing for individual objects, scripts and
building blocks. Also keep track of time used for rendering Virtools
objects, animations and application-drawn primitives. Profiling your
Xbox? game can even help you diagnose potential bottlenecks for the PC
version of your game.
Ready,
Set...Publish
The Xbox? Kit SDK comes with
complete source code for all standard building blocks. A generic
Virtools Player is also provided with corresponding source code. It can
be quickly and easily customized to run your game loop, custom
behaviors, managers and necessary plugins. The Xbox? SDK lets you
package your game as an Xbox? application ready to submit for Xbox?
technical certification.
Key Features
- 19 New building blocks dedicated to Xbox? specific tasks
(gamepad handling, memory units detection, game saves c)
- A user interface in Virtools Dev used to communicate and
transfer data between the host PC and the Xbox?.
- The Virtools SDK compiled and optimized for the Xbox?
platform.
- New SDK classes to expose specific Xbox? features.
Technical
Requirements
- Virtools Developer
- Intel Pentium III or AMD Athlon XP
- Windows 2000/XP
- 256 MB of RAM (512 MB recommended)
- DirectX 9 Compatible 2D/3D accelerator with 1.1 hardware
vertex and pixel shaders or better
- The Xbox? Development Kit Version 5849 (December, 2003) or
higher
- A green or silver Xbox? Development Kit console
- DirectX 9 specified as Virtools Dev rasterizer for creating
shaders
NOTE: Xbox Kit is only
accessible to Xbox Microsoft Certified Developers.
|
