Here is what I’ve come up with for the basic outline of the guide. This will almost certainly change as I build it, but I think it is pretty close.

If you have any ideas on what you’d like to see in the guide (from a programming or game point-of-view), please leave a comment.

UPDATE 22 May 2014: To see the lessons, visit the “Learn C# by Building a Simple RPG – Index” page.

• Define the game we’ll build
• Installing Visual Studio Express 2013 for Windows Desktop
  • http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/eng/downloads
• What is a program?
  • Compare with a recipe (ingredients = objects, cooking steps = procedures)
• What are objects/classes?
• What is procedural code?
• Importance of clear naming
• Creating the solution in Visual Studio
  • Create multiple projects (UI, business logic)
    • Default files
  • Set reference from UI project to engine project
• Creating the character class
  • Naming classes, properties, and methods
  • Scope (public/internal)
  • Properties
    • Datatypes (string, int, etc.)
    • With, and without, backing variables
      • Private/public scoping of properties and backing variables
  • Start with Name property only
    • Set without constructor
    • Set through constructor
      • Importance of matching casing of parameters/properties
  • Add other properties
• Create the simple UI
  • Character creation screen
    • “using” statement to Entities
  • Game screen
    • Character is passed from character creation screen
    • Display values in labels
• Creating the item class
  • Items that can have items inside of them (chests/bags/etc.)
  • Introduce base classes and class interfaces
• Creating the location class
  • Need minimum level to enter
  • Need specific item to enter
• Creating a monster class
  • Create abstract ‘Creature’ class
    • Maximum/CurrentHitPoints properties
    • Attack method
  • Have Character class use this as a base
  • Add List<Item> for inventory
• Creating, and populating the ‘world’
  • Static class/methods
  • Constants
  • Connecting locations to each other
  • Adding items
    • List/collection
• Simple UI forms
  • Character name entry
    • Drag-and-drop controls (label, textbox, button)
  • Create Game UI form
    • Add in simple controls
• How to use the debugger
• Moving around in the world
  • Switch statement
• Adding items to inventory
  • Limited inventory space
  • Stacking items (different quantity for different types of items)
    • Constructors in derived classes
  • Use of items – determine with class interfaces
    • Weapons
    • Armor/clothes
    • Consumables (food/potions/etc.)
  • For, foreach and if
• Crafting complex items (items that use other items)
• Creating creatures
  • Random numbers for hit points
  • Move HitPoint label display to shared method
  • Loot table for each creature
  • Move Gold label display to shared method
• Fighting creatures
  • Compare attack skill against armor class
  • Random numbers of damage
    • Math.Max
  • Add experience
  • Increase character level
  • Collecting loot items
• Using potions/foods
  • Update fighting code to allow using potions/food
  • Save/read settings to file on disk