Game-Development for absolute beginner

[tank69]

Hello, SFML-Dev community, i am new to programming, i only have basic knowledge in c++, yet i was tasked to create a simple text based game(for three days)...i have already set up SFML in my computer and is working correctly, im using Code::Blocks.

on game development-I really need some help because this is really new to me, i haven't even mastered c++ yet.

ok, here are the desciption of my GAME that i should create with the help i could get from you guys.

1. Title is "Battle Tanks"-2 players, turn based.(this is an artillery game)
2. Should be 2D, textbased, no special images, tanks should be drawn in ASCII Characters(I think ill just trick my teacher to use "sprites" using an ASCII texture to draw the tank.
3. there are 3 rounds. ROUND1-EASY, ROUND2-MEDIUM,ROUND3-HARD. the tanks are stationary, the only moving part is the turret.
4. between the two tanks is an obstacle, this is also fixed in rounds 1-3, the obstacle just gets bigger as the round progresses.

questions before i start:
1. with your help guys, is this possible to do in 72 hours tops?-less the few hours of sleep maybe 
2. can you please advise me the things that i should do?
3. and is it possible to ask all my questions (if they are not yet in the forum) that may arise regarding this topic in this thread?so i wont be creating topics every now and then?

--please i need help--

[tank69]

this is how far i have gotten, i have already coded how to get player names.

i will attach the screen shot..

[tank69]

i have been thinking if i could do it like this.

1. create 3 windows, for rounds 1-3.
2. Round1-easy draw the tanks and obstacle. game starts, when round ends, write name and score to text file, close round1 window, then open;
3. Round2-mediumdraw the tanks and slightly bigger obstacle. game starts, when round ends, overwrite name and score to the same textfile, close round2 window, then open;
4.Round3-hardagain draw the tanks huge obstacle. game starts, when round ends, overwrite name and score to the same textfile.

is this correct?can somebody suggest if there is a simpler way to do it?

[eXpl0it3r]

No, if have only.basic knowledge in C++ and no experience in game development, chances are very high, that you can't really create such a game in 72h.

Also since this is an university poject you should've learned everything you need to know. And if you get stuck, there are usually tutors/assistants who get paid to help you. And as a last resort, there's always your prof.

Of course if you got an SFML related question, don't hesitate to ask.

[tank69]

but is this correct if ever? just an advice if this is a good "storyboard"or concept.

i have been thinking if i could do it like this.

1. create 3 windows, for rounds 1-3.
2. Round1-easy draw the tanks and obstacle. game starts, when round ends, write name and score to text file, close round1 window, then open;
3. Round2-mediumdraw the tanks and slightly bigger obstacle. game starts, when round ends, overwrite name and score to the same textfile, close round2 window, then open;
4.Round3-hardagain draw the tanks huge obstacle. game starts, when round ends, overwrite name and score to the same textfile.

is this correct?can somebody suggest if there is a simpler way to do it?

[eXpl0it3r]

There's no need to use multiple windows. Just use some sort of state machine.

[tank69]

hi, I watched some videos on how to create state machines??but i don't understand how to do them yet, i guess i have to stick to multiple windows for now.

Now if i used multiple windows for the 3 rounds, will it be ok? i do not yet care much on efficiency of managing the screens, as long as i get what i need to do..

[eXpl0it3r]

You can use multiple windows.