$500 for Experienced Corona Developer to build a game whilst teaching me the basics of Corona

Corona Classifieds Collaborations
#1

Hi,

I’ve always found the best way of learning is to learn by example and to simply copy. I’m looking for someone with great communication skills and experience with Corona to build a game for me and share the code (with lots of comments) and provide reasons behind doing things in such a way and answer any questions I have.

Who am I? - I’m a typical web developer with years of knowledge in HTML, CSS, JS, PHP & Linux (plus a few others here and there but this will do for now) so I should catch on quite well and won’t bombard you with too many questions.

What’s the game? - I hear you cry. Put shortly it’s a remake of the classic carnival game Duck Hunt (also known as Duck Shoot and more. Go Google “Carnival Duck Shoot Game” and you’ll see what I mean). But, with a little fun twist which I will explain upon accepting an offer.

Who should message me? - As mentioned above, you have to be a pro a using Corona SDK (you will need to provide proof) and have good communication (which I’ll judge based on your messages). If you have any freelancing accounts set up like oDesk or elance please provide me with a link as this will make you more favourable but it’s NOT a requirement.

How will I get paid? - PayPal or oDesk or Elance if you use them. NO OTHER PAYMENT METHODS. FULL STOP. Do not ask as you will be instantly rejected. There will be two payments; 1) Down payment pre-agreed and the rest on completion. Once again this is not up for debate.

Any questions welcome.

Thanks

  • Paul
#2

@Paul,

This is an interesting proposal, however there are still some details that need to be cleared up.  Specifically,

  • How many interactive sessions do you want to have and for how long?
  • How many days or weeks do you want this interaction to run for?
  • Is this a lo-fi/prototype exercise or do you want professional grade artwork?
  • Do you want written documentation and notes as part of the deal?
  • Would you like to see work samples first?  Perhaps a prototype ‘Duck Hunt’ clone prior to initiating the contract?
  • … more questions will come to mind as soon as I hit the ‘Post’ button, but they can be asked and answered later.

Regardless of the details, I find this idea interesting.  Please review the following credentials of sorts and contact me if you are interested in further discussion.

Ed Maurina

(aka The Roaming Gamer)

PS - I have a template that might be a good starting point for this,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6ypDjOM-sg

Note: My templates are documented internally, but they are not tutorials, which is more of what you’re looking for.  Also  I may have the wrong idea.  

Note 2: Your google search brought up (carnival duck shooting games) in the vein of the video above, but when I hear ‘Duck Hunt’, this is what I think of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1NyIsZXeqU

#3

@Ed
 

  1. I’m not sure on the number interactions I will require as it all depends on how quick I can grasp concepts. I’d say anywhere from 10 to 20 in total. Any more I feel I would have to stop and rethink if this is really the road I’d like to take.
  2. I’m not aiming for days or weeks, I’m aiming for a finished project. I posted a similar job description (without the training parts) on a few sites and most the feedback says it will take 4-5 weeks to build the game. So, if I add an extra week on to that for a buffer and training time I think 6 it would be a fair guess.
  3. I’ve kept my ideas and rough designs very simple so that I can aim for a professional finish. Something close to your InfiniRoids game would be nice.
  4. I would like to see comments throughout the development and I’m sure you’re like me and will do that anyway. Additional notes may be require to help me understand as I will only feel the need for an interaction when I don’t fully understand what’s happening. For example; Why use ‘:’ instead of ‘.’ for some functions and not others? ([I think] I understand that now but that’s just an example)
  5. If you can create a very simple duck hunt game as a prototype that will be brilliant as it will give proof and confidence in your word and also provide me with nighttime reading.
  6. All questions are welcome.

The tile targets game does look like what I’m after but I would prefer it if we didn’t use templates that are already mostly pre-made. This is because I feel there would be a huge progression jump (as described below). I’d like to see a steady game being developed. But that being said, if you think sections of the code can be copied and I’ll still be able to understand everything that’s happening then please do copy.

As for the Retro Duck Hunt Game, it brings back some good memories. I think after the project is completed and I’m ready to build on my own, I’ll add some easter eggs linking to this ever so addicting game.

@Everyone
Just to explain a little bit more about what I’m after.
I want someone with a high level of skill to build (most) the game for me so that I can look at code and either understand fully what is happening or be able to contact you and have my questions answered in person with a great level of detail.

At the moment I’m stuck at looking at lots of different peoples’ tutorials/templates from Google and they tend to clash causing me great confusion and stifling my learning. I want to follow one person who knows what they’re doing and can send me in the right direction so that when the project is complete I can go on to build Games and Applications on my own (to a certain degree) with confidence.

I would also like to see progression. IE, I do not want to be given the full code in one go; I would like to see regular git commits (SVN or similar is fine too). This is to help me understand how I should be developing games and not how a developed games’ code looks.

If I’ve missed anything out or you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Many Thanks

  • Paul
#4

@Paul,

Hello again.  I’ll put together a prototype as well as a terse’lesson plan’ skeleton + game construction order.   When I’m done, I’ll post a video of the prototype here as well as the other details.  At that point, if you think it looks like a fit, please contact me at the e-mail listed in my first response and we can get started. 

Note: I don’t expect to be able to post this content till late Monday as I have some other items stacked up this weekend.

Cheers,

Ed

#5

Paul,

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnUyzoQCqKo

(Note: The lag is from the video recording…)

The Code

You can find the code to this sample here: 

https://github.com/roaminggamer/RG_FreeStuff/tree/master/DuckShoot

The ‘Terse’ List

Here is an off the top of my head plan for how to attack this project + learning Corona:

  1. Lua Basics

  – Locals & Globals

  – Functions

  – Tables

  – Methods

  – Modules

  1. Corona 101 

   – First Program - Hello World

   – Basic Objects (circle, rect, images)

   – Groups and Layers

  1. Timers, and Transitions

  2. Touch Handling

  3. Sound

  4. Stuff I’m forgetting right now.

  5. Version 1 - Prototype (This can easily be assembled bit by bit, with new project folders for each new feature(s))

  6. Version 2 - Add Art and Sounds

  7. Version 3 - Polish and Fix Bugs

  8. Free and Low Cost Tools A Review

  - sfxr / bfxr

  - Audacity

  - …

  1. ??? More ???

Please let me know if this sounds right to you and of course if you have any questions.

** FIXED COUNTING ERROR :rolleyes:  **

#6

@Ed

That video looks pretty good and has the basics for what I want to build and the code (https://github.com/roaminggamer/RG_FreeStuff/blob/master/DuckShoot/DuckShoot/main.lua) looks quite simple and easy for me to follow.

Your plan looks realistic and sensible and I’ll be happy to continue and accept your proposal but just a few more questions first - mainly to do with limitations.

Can Corona view the contact list and if so what information can it pull (Names, emails, images/photos, etc…) as I want this to be a big feature in my game?

Miles down the line I’d also like to add live multiplayer and achievements ideally using Google Play Game Services, is this something that can be completed using Corona? I’ve looked and unless I’m missing the docs I require, it currently isn’t possible.

Finally speed! I’m happy to take things slow in development but I would really like the game to be fast on all devices (or as many devices as I can). I’ve currently made a very basic version of my game using PhoneGap (just because I can do web technologies with great ease allowing me to create mockups and demos quickly, I’ll also send you a files for you to preview) but it is very slow. Is Corona equally slow or is it much faster, if so why? From my understanding both don’t run native code but instead have a native wrapper which runs the users’ code - and wrappers are slow.

If the answers above are to my liking I’ll drop you a private message and we can sort out the very fine detail and hopefully start the project on or around the 6/6/13 if everything goes smoothly and we’re both happy.

Many Thanks

  • Paul
#7

@Paul

  1. re: Video - Thanks.  I just wanted to show you that it is possible to implement the core mechanics of a ‘Duck Shoot’ game quickly and easily. 
  2. Corona  and Contacts - I don’t honestly know about whether Corona can access ‘contacts’ info, but I’m going to guess no.  As far as images on the device?  Maybe.  You might have access to the photo storage area on device, but I’d have to check.  I don’t generally play around with these features.  I’ll take a look and get back to you on this.
  3. Google Play Game Services - Achievement YES, Multiplayer COMING SOON.Interestingly, there was just an article on this: http://www.coronalabs.com/blog/2013/06/25/tutorial-introducing-google-play-game-services/
  4. Speed (The Need for) - Corona is quite different from anything created with PhoneGap.  Corona apps are in fact compiled (see image below).  I suspect the SDK is compiled with the requisite libs and settings for the target OS and your Lua code is pre-compiled in to bytecode and later interpreted via a compliled in (Lua) virtual machine.  The important part of this discussion is that all of the colored blocks (in image below) are executed not interpreted. (_ If someone has a more clear view of the hierarchy or a better explanation, please chime in. _)
  5. Reaching me - Don’t forget you can reach me here: 

CoronaStack.png

** IMAGE UPDATED **

#8

@Paul,

This is an update regarding the ‘Contacts List’ and ‘Photo Library’

  1. No, you cannot directly access the contacts list.

  2. Yes, you can access the photo library on the device. (http://docs.coronalabs.com/api/library/media/show.html)

#9

@Paul,

This is an interesting proposal, however there are still some details that need to be cleared up.  Specifically,

  • How many interactive sessions do you want to have and for how long?
  • How many days or weeks do you want this interaction to run for?
  • Is this a lo-fi/prototype exercise or do you want professional grade artwork?
  • Do you want written documentation and notes as part of the deal?
  • Would you like to see work samples first?  Perhaps a prototype ‘Duck Hunt’ clone prior to initiating the contract?
  • … more questions will come to mind as soon as I hit the ‘Post’ button, but they can be asked and answered later.

Regardless of the details, I find this idea interesting.  Please review the following credentials of sorts and contact me if you are interested in further discussion.

Ed Maurina

(aka The Roaming Gamer)

PS - I have a template that might be a good starting point for this,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6ypDjOM-sg

Note: My templates are documented internally, but they are not tutorials, which is more of what you’re looking for.  Also  I may have the wrong idea.  

Note 2: Your google search brought up (carnival duck shooting games) in the vein of the video above, but when I hear ‘Duck Hunt’, this is what I think of:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1NyIsZXeqU

#10

@Ed
 

  1. I’m not sure on the number interactions I will require as it all depends on how quick I can grasp concepts. I’d say anywhere from 10 to 20 in total. Any more I feel I would have to stop and rethink if this is really the road I’d like to take.
  2. I’m not aiming for days or weeks, I’m aiming for a finished project. I posted a similar job description (without the training parts) on a few sites and most the feedback says it will take 4-5 weeks to build the game. So, if I add an extra week on to that for a buffer and training time I think 6 it would be a fair guess.
  3. I’ve kept my ideas and rough designs very simple so that I can aim for a professional finish. Something close to your InfiniRoids game would be nice.
  4. I would like to see comments throughout the development and I’m sure you’re like me and will do that anyway. Additional notes may be require to help me understand as I will only feel the need for an interaction when I don’t fully understand what’s happening. For example; Why use ‘:’ instead of ‘.’ for some functions and not others? ([I think] I understand that now but that’s just an example)
  5. If you can create a very simple duck hunt game as a prototype that will be brilliant as it will give proof and confidence in your word and also provide me with nighttime reading.
  6. All questions are welcome.

The tile targets game does look like what I’m after but I would prefer it if we didn’t use templates that are already mostly pre-made. This is because I feel there would be a huge progression jump (as described below). I’d like to see a steady game being developed. But that being said, if you think sections of the code can be copied and I’ll still be able to understand everything that’s happening then please do copy.

As for the Retro Duck Hunt Game, it brings back some good memories. I think after the project is completed and I’m ready to build on my own, I’ll add some easter eggs linking to this ever so addicting game.

@Everyone
Just to explain a little bit more about what I’m after.
I want someone with a high level of skill to build (most) the game for me so that I can look at code and either understand fully what is happening or be able to contact you and have my questions answered in person with a great level of detail.

At the moment I’m stuck at looking at lots of different peoples’ tutorials/templates from Google and they tend to clash causing me great confusion and stifling my learning. I want to follow one person who knows what they’re doing and can send me in the right direction so that when the project is complete I can go on to build Games and Applications on my own (to a certain degree) with confidence.

I would also like to see progression. IE, I do not want to be given the full code in one go; I would like to see regular git commits (SVN or similar is fine too). This is to help me understand how I should be developing games and not how a developed games’ code looks.

If I’ve missed anything out or you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Many Thanks

  • Paul
#11

@Paul,

Hello again.  I’ll put together a prototype as well as a terse’lesson plan’ skeleton + game construction order.   When I’m done, I’ll post a video of the prototype here as well as the other details.  At that point, if you think it looks like a fit, please contact me at the e-mail listed in my first response and we can get started. 

Note: I don’t expect to be able to post this content till late Monday as I have some other items stacked up this weekend.

Cheers,

Ed

#12

Paul,

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnUyzoQCqKo

(Note: The lag is from the video recording…)

The Code

You can find the code to this sample here: 

https://github.com/roaminggamer/RG_FreeStuff/tree/master/DuckShoot

The ‘Terse’ List

Here is an off the top of my head plan for how to attack this project + learning Corona:

  1. Lua Basics

  – Locals & Globals

  – Functions

  – Tables

  – Methods

  – Modules

  1. Corona 101 

   – First Program - Hello World

   – Basic Objects (circle, rect, images)

   – Groups and Layers

  1. Timers, and Transitions

  2. Touch Handling

  3. Sound

  4. Stuff I’m forgetting right now.

  5. Version 1 - Prototype (This can easily be assembled bit by bit, with new project folders for each new feature(s))

  6. Version 2 - Add Art and Sounds

  7. Version 3 - Polish and Fix Bugs

  8. Free and Low Cost Tools A Review

  - sfxr / bfxr

  - Audacity

  - …

  1. ??? More ???

Please let me know if this sounds right to you and of course if you have any questions.

** FIXED COUNTING ERROR :rolleyes:  **

#13

@Ed

That video looks pretty good and has the basics for what I want to build and the code (https://github.com/roaminggamer/RG_FreeStuff/blob/master/DuckShoot/DuckShoot/main.lua) looks quite simple and easy for me to follow.

Your plan looks realistic and sensible and I’ll be happy to continue and accept your proposal but just a few more questions first - mainly to do with limitations.

Can Corona view the contact list and if so what information can it pull (Names, emails, images/photos, etc…) as I want this to be a big feature in my game?

Miles down the line I’d also like to add live multiplayer and achievements ideally using Google Play Game Services, is this something that can be completed using Corona? I’ve looked and unless I’m missing the docs I require, it currently isn’t possible.

Finally speed! I’m happy to take things slow in development but I would really like the game to be fast on all devices (or as many devices as I can). I’ve currently made a very basic version of my game using PhoneGap (just because I can do web technologies with great ease allowing me to create mockups and demos quickly, I’ll also send you a files for you to preview) but it is very slow. Is Corona equally slow or is it much faster, if so why? From my understanding both don’t run native code but instead have a native wrapper which runs the users’ code - and wrappers are slow.

If the answers above are to my liking I’ll drop you a private message and we can sort out the very fine detail and hopefully start the project on or around the 6/6/13 if everything goes smoothly and we’re both happy.

Many Thanks

  • Paul
#14

@Paul

  1. re: Video - Thanks.  I just wanted to show you that it is possible to implement the core mechanics of a ‘Duck Shoot’ game quickly and easily. 
  2. Corona  and Contacts - I don’t honestly know about whether Corona can access ‘contacts’ info, but I’m going to guess no.  As far as images on the device?  Maybe.  You might have access to the photo storage area on device, but I’d have to check.  I don’t generally play around with these features.  I’ll take a look and get back to you on this.
  3. Google Play Game Services - Achievement YES, Multiplayer COMING SOON.Interestingly, there was just an article on this: http://www.coronalabs.com/blog/2013/06/25/tutorial-introducing-google-play-game-services/
  4. Speed (The Need for) - Corona is quite different from anything created with PhoneGap.  Corona apps are in fact compiled (see image below).  I suspect the SDK is compiled with the requisite libs and settings for the target OS and your Lua code is pre-compiled in to bytecode and later interpreted via a compliled in (Lua) virtual machine.  The important part of this discussion is that all of the colored blocks (in image below) are executed not interpreted. (_ If someone has a more clear view of the hierarchy or a better explanation, please chime in. _)
  5. Reaching me - Don’t forget you can reach me here: 

CoronaStack.png

** IMAGE UPDATED **

#15

@Paul,

This is an update regarding the ‘Contacts List’ and ‘Photo Library’

  1. No, you cannot directly access the contacts list.

  2. Yes, you can access the photo library on the device. (http://docs.coronalabs.com/api/library/media/show.html)

#16

@All,

Hello future readers.  If you found this thread and are considering contacting me to train you, I am sorry to say that I am no longer available for individual training or contracts.  

Thanks for your interest and good luck in your endeavors.

Cheers,

Ed

#17

@All,

Hello future readers.  If you found this thread and are considering contacting me to train you, I am sorry to say that I am no longer available for individual training or contracts.  

Thanks for your interest and good luck in your endeavors.

Cheers,

Ed