0.1 Xna0100-getting started

Revised: Wed May 04 10:15:51 CDT 2016

This page is part of a Book titled XNA Game Studio .

Table of Contents

• Table of Contents
• Preface
  • Viewing tip
    • Figures
• Preview
• Download and installation instructions
  • Introduction
  • Software upgrade
  • XNA installation instructions
  • Cleaning off the old software
  • Downloading Microsoft Visual C# 2010 Express Edition
  • Preparing the ISO file for software installation
  • Installing Microsoft Visual C# 2010 Express Edition
  • Downloading and installing XNA 4.0 Refresh
• Test your installation
  • Skeleton code
  • Run your program
  • Run your program outside the IDE
• Run my program
• Miscellaneous

Preface

This module is one in a collection of modules designed primarily for teaching GAME 1343 Game and Simulation Programming I at Austin Community College in Austin, TX. These modules are intended to supplementand not to replace the textbook.

The modules were originally published for use with XNA 3.1 , were upgraded for use with XNA 4.0 , and as of May 2016 are being upgraded for use with XNA 4.0 Refresh .

Viewing tip

I recommend that you open another copy of this module in a separate browser window and use the following links to easily find and view the Figureswhile you are reading about them.

Figures

• Figure 1 . XNA 4.0 IDE.
• Figure 2 . XNA game window.
• Figure 3 . Project file structure.

Preview

According to Microsoft, "Microsoft XNA Game Studio 4.0 makes it easier than ever to create great video games for Windows-based PCs, Xbox 360 consoles, and Windows Phone."

The purpose of this module is to help you get started programming using the XNA Game Studio.

Download and installation instructions

The download and installation information regarding the Microsoft website changes frequently. The information in this section is current as of May 2016.

Introduction

I typically teach this course once each year in theSummer session via Distance Learning. For the past several years, students have reported that it has become increasingly difficult to find and download thenecessary Microsoft software for the course. In preparation for the Summer 2016 session, I decided to do the following:

• Clean the old software off of my computer.
• Download and install new software.
• Document the process for the benefit of students who may need to do the same.

Software upgrade

I also decided to upgrade from XNA 4.0 to a newer product named Microsoft XNA Game Studio 4.0 Refresh . Here is what Microsoft has to say about the newer product:

This course doesn't address Visual Basic or Windows Phone, but bug fixes are always welcome.

XNA installation instructions

Microsoft's installation instructions for the new software read as follows:

1. Install Microsoft Visual Studio 2010.
2. Obtain the latest updates for Visual Studio from Microsoft Update.
3. Download and run the Microsoft XNA Game Studio 4.0 Refresh installer.
4. Follow the setup instructions.