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Xbox™ Kit
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 Dev’s intuitive graphical development
environment. The Xbox™ Kit facilitates seamless prototyping as
well as full production of Virtools-based games for the Xbox™ platform. |
Try Xbox Kit ! |
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 Virtools’ 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 …)
- 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 Dev 3.0
- 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.
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