[SixOfEleven]

It is time for the second XNA game programming challenge. This challenge will be four weeks in duration.

Challenge:
Puzzle your players.

Description:
This is a rather open challenge to build a puzzle game. Examples of puzzle games are Bejeweled and Hexic. You can create a clone of a puzzle type game but you will get bonus points for originality.

Requirements:
The basic requirements for this game will be as follows:

Basic:

• A pause feature
  
• A score system that keeps track of a player’s progress
  
• A high score system

Bonus:
The bonus features that I am going to list here are not requirements for the challenge, but just a few tips of some extra things that you can do if you find time and want to go the extra mile.

• A menu system
  
• Different play modes: timed mode and normal mode
  
• Animation
  
• Power Ups: like exploding gems in Bejeweled

Again, the things listed in the "Bonus" section are not required, they are just a few little things that you can do to improve your games should you have time.

I will not take points off of a project for artwork or lack thereof. This is a programming challenge, not an art challenge. I’m looking for game play over assets. A game that is fun to play and doesn't have the best art will score higher than a game that doesn't play well and looks good. You’ve completed the challenge and have a chance to win Gold, Silver or Bronze.

There will be no prizes for these challenges other than bragging rights and the knowledge you gain while taking part. The challenge begins now! Gather your resources and begin writing your games! You have until June 14th to get submissions in. Anything submitted after June 14th will not be accepted.

To submit your game you can either add it as an attachment in a PM or post a link to an online repository. I would like the project for the game so I can build it. You will lose marks if there are warnings in Visual Studio.

[raziel_]

Can we use engines or just XNA?

[SixOfEleven]

The game must use XNA. Using an XNA based engine is fine.

[Kilorn]

Great challenge! When this one is finished, I might go ahead and throw another one up here. I've been incredibly busy lately with work and other things. I've actually been out of town working for the past 7 days, when the trip was only supposed to last for 3 days, so my activity has been a little lacking as of late. I can't wait to see what you guys come up with for this challenge. It's VERY open ended, and I can think of countless things that can be done to create a puzzle game. Once again, great challenge SixOfEleven, and let's all have fun with this one!

[SixOfEleven]

Only 3 days left for this. Anybody close to having an entry ready?

[Robin19]

I will have an entry. I'm just adding as much as I can before I turn it in.

[Kilorn]

I'm really looking forward to seeing how many entries you get in this challenge, SixOfEleven. Come on people, finish strong and blow him away! Wish I would've had time to get an entry in.

[SixOfEleven]

I'm going to add one week to the deadline as there have been no submissions yet. The new deadline is June 21st. Hopefully I'll get a few submissions. Let me see what you got!

[Kilorn]

3 days left for all of you that are working on this challenge. Get those entries into SixOfEleven. He took the time to create a great little challenge here, and I want to see several entries before it's over with.

[Robin19]

I just rechecked this thread today. I submitted my entry 24 minutes after he posted to extend the entry. I hope other people have projects to turn in.

[SixOfEleven]

I got your entry Robin19 and it was the only entry. You've won the second XNA challenge here at Dream.In.Code. I will get back to you soon with a report card on your game. Congratulations.

[Kilorn]

Congratulations, Robin19!