VB Developers?

[Megazoid]

Hi folks,

I'm new around these forums. I will start by introducing myself. I am a software developer from the UK and have you been developing applications within VB for over 4/5 years now. I have been part of various programming teams including a tools/tutorial author for a 3D engine and have also won various programming awards within the vb development world. I'm knowledgable in everything Win32! From basic API to sublcassing & hooking.

A few years back i moved back into developing windows applications and left the game development world in the dust. I've also been releasing some freeware system utilities and now looking into developing a higher-end DSP based host application with VST & DX Support. This is around 75% complete.

I'm working alongside two very talented developers and i've never felt better. However a curiousity streak came last night and i wondered what indie developers like yourselfs were doing and checked into this forum.

I wondered what had happened as the year's had passed. I keep updated on the freeware/shareware market place via download.com, tucows, fileforum amoung others. I am aware VB is not a popular game development language but i've seen some excellent freeware/shareware games developed using the language. Most which either are Win32 GDI applications or DX8 wrapper application, though their has been the odd OGL game/application too!

Their are some excellent 2D engines in development for VB which make it viable to create high-quality applications still to this day without requiring the huge .NET framework. However i am curious to see who is actually using the language and if their any games being developed using the language?

So far the best games (i know of) developed within VB are:

RoX
Zombie Smashers X2
Dovez 2

I'm trying to compile a list of the best VB games, so hopefully their will be more to add.

So anyone using it?

[Surrealix]

I use VB 6 for development.

I think the main problem with VB is it's reputation : It's Slow

With interfaces for directX8 and OGL, It's really not that bad. Tidying up your coding style and using certain work-arounds make it fast enough for most small games. It's a great language to learn in, but most people jump to C++ (etc) before too long, simply because it's more powerfull, and much faster (and that's what I hope to do as well).

Anyway, I've recently finished Radia (http://www.surrealix.com/radia.htm), it's programmed in VB6, and directX7.

[Curiosoft]

Yeah,

I also use VB6 for now. I think Pretty Good Solitaire also uses VB? Not sure.

In any case, you can add the following titles to the list...
Jr. Doctor
Jr. Vet

Later,
Curiosoft

[Megazoid]

First off thanks guy's for the input.

Looks like their could be alot more games out their done in VB! To my knowledge Pretty Good Solitare is a VB game also. I downloaded and knew straight away with the interface control set.

Hopefully more will come...

List so far:

RoX
Zombie Smashers X2
Dovez 2
Radia
Pretty Good Solitare
Jr. Doctor
Jr. Vet

Keep em' coming!

[SquareDanceSteve]

I am developing in vb.net 2003 with mdx9

[stanchat]

A lot of my older games were developed with VB 3.1, 5,6.

My last game to use VB6 is Ringer King (http://www.grab.com/games/view.php?game=1337) . I also am making use of the Genesis 3D in this game also.

[sparkyboy]

Hi megazoid,

I too am using VB6 for my next two projects!! :D If you would like to know of a really good engine then check this out:-

www.dxgame.com

This is what i'll be using for the forseeable future.The developer is a member here,and is very open to suggestions and additions to his library!! ;)


All the best


Mark


EDIT: Not a library but an ENGINE!!!!!Get it right sparkyboy!!!!! :p

[Ska Software]

Best games?

:o

Thanks!

I've been using VB6 since Zombie Smashers X (1) and I love it. One day I'm gonna switch to .NET... maybe.

I'm working on a 3D game using VB6 and DX8 with an MD2 loader made by Jack Hoxley (bless him), I've got some shots at blog.skasoftware.com (http://blog.skasoftware.com/) .

[dima]

Hello,

I used to develop with VB6, and still do, just not games anymore :)

The main problem with VB isn't the speed, but the language barriers. OO programming is a pain in VB6, pointers and other goodies arent well implemented. I find it much easier to develop games with C/C++ using an external library.

VB is great though for tool development. Any windows app is a snap with VB. Database applications and all that good stuff. For games however, I decided to switch. Actually BlitzMax doesn't sound too bad if you're into basic syntax.

[Megazoid]

Thanks for the replys!

Look's like we are building up a much larger list than first expected.

Their hasn't been a bad game posted yet. Everything is top class! Great to see a language like VB being used to make commercial quality titles.

@dima

Your RoX game is simply stunning (as you know from my emails)! Looking forward to the followup.

@Ska Software

Without question you have created some of the best VB games i have seen. Your new title is amazing, great fun and well programmer/optimized. It reminds me a "Gorillza" video! Very cool style.

Checked out your 3D game and reminds me of Sin City graphically. This could be an amazing game, i've got faith in this being another A+ title from you.

@sparkyboy

I checked out the demo and i have been researching this engine, it seem's the most stable and optimized to date. The developer has a good object model in place.

What titles are you developing? puzzlers?

Keep em' coming! their must be more card and puzzle games done in VB.

[dan]

Runesword II was an RPG done in VB. It's open source, if you want a look at an isometric type game.

[Escapee]

I Used VB6 for the Prodigious escapee .

[Megazoid]

Well alot more than i first expected.

@dan

A hot looking game! Never been a huge RPG fan but your game does look appealing.

Is the 3rd one also VB?

@Escapee

Love this little puzzler! Nice to see another VB game. The list is growing...

[dan]

Well alot more than i first expected.

@dan

A hot looking game! Never been a huge RPG fan but your game does look appealing.

Is the 3rd one also VB?


No, VB has left our building. C++ and DirectX for Dungeon Delvers.

[Megazoid]

I should also add the game "The Dishwasher" to the list.

One of the best looking VB games to date (2D/3D).

Keep em' coming...

[Ryan Clark]

This might be what you're after. The Big Huge VB Games List:

http://www.vbgamer.com/bhgl.asp