As part of the Games Programming module, I had to develop a 30 seconds single-screen 2D video game using C++ and SDL2. We were expected to demonstrate our knowledge of windows features, logging and performance, sprites, movement, physics, collisions detection and responses, player character control, inventory, and audio. We had been developing our knowledge of SDL2 over the course of the module.

I decided to make a 2D shooter where you had to fend off an alien invader. You had to hit the alien’s eye with the correct coloured ammo to damage it. The alien’s eye colour would switch every 6 seconds and you would then have to select the matching ammo from the inventory. Hitting it 20 times would be considered a win, but the addition of a score system meant you could compete for the most points with others. The game had three bullets you could use, inspired by the mega man games. This meant that if you were accurate with your shots you could fire more frequently, allowing higher scores and some strategy.