Blog

Particle Effects

If you are a gamer and you've played the Xbox 360 you've probably played or at least heard of a game called geometry wars. That game has some insane particle effects!

[Screenshot taken from geometry wars]


More then half of the objects shown in this screenshot are particles. And it looks very cool in motion!

Well as some of you might know already, I'm working on a game called Wings of Apocalypse. A little over a month ago,Brian , one of the co-developers (3D Artist) on the project felt that the game looked too plain and we needed some particle effects. I agreed with him and a few thousand keyboard clicks later particle effects were born into my world!


Right now we're trying not to show much of what we've done just yet but heres a sneak peak at what the particle effects look like :).










And, for all the game coders out there, the following code shows how I define a particle. The code is based on Java's syntax but it shouldn't be too hard to translate it into other languages. If you're using C then you would have to convert this definition class to a 'struct', but if you're using C++ or C# you shoudn't have any trouble converting the code.
class Particle
{
String name;
boolean active; // Active (Yes/No)
float life; // Particle Life
float fade; // Fade Speed

float r; // Red Value
float g; // Green Value
float b; // Blue Value

float rd; // Red End Value
float gd; // Green End Value
float bd; // Blue End Value

float x; // X Position
float y; // Y Position
float z; // Z Position

float xi; // X Direction
float yi; // Y Direction
float zi; // Z Direction

float xg; // X Gravity
float yg; // Y Gravity
float zg; // Z Gravity

float slowdown=1.0f; // Slow Down Particles

float xspeed=0; // Base X Speed
float yspeed=0; // Base Y Speed


public Particle(String n)
{
name=n;

}

}
Once you have your particle defined the only things left to do are to manipulate the variables used by the particle and then draw it. Of course its not THAT easy, but its not hard either. I'm too lazy right now to try to explain my particle system algorithms but most of it is basic physics. And, you can find algorithms all over the web lol...


Apps & Games

Celestial Mechanica

Celestial Mechanica delivers a mixture of action, puzzle, exploration and adventure while sporting the awesome "pixely-goodness" you've come to expect from @pietepiet and "sexy ear candy" from @rekcahdam.

Pulse Boy

PulseBoy is a web-based musical sequencer which only uses 8bit sounds and samples. PulseBoy uses a "tracker" interface to accept note input. It is currently in beta so feel free to contact me at contact@rekcahdam.com (or @rekcahdam) if you find any bugs!

Band Saga

Band Saga is a modern Action Roguelike where every level, enemy and item is generated by music. Furthermore, every melody and every sound is synthesized in real time as you play! Collaborate with friends to complete the Saga & sequence Sega Genesis esque FM ♪ tunes asynchronously!

Prototypes

This is a list of smaller games and projects that were never finished for various reasons. Many people find them enjoyable nonetheless

Music

Band Saga LP

The Soundtrack to Band Saga also includes a 22 page comic illustrated by Gina Chacón! Download it here!

Seedling Soundtrack

This Original Soundtrack was written for an action adventure game that follows the early life and journey of a boy made for one purpose--to obtain the seed of the Oracle's Tree. You can play Seedling on Newgrounds.com !

Devil's Dare OST

This Original Soundtrack was written for a 4 player 2D zombie beat'em up. Devil's Dare pits classic game heroes against monsters straight out of 90s horror movies. You can download and play Devil's Dare on Steam!

Space Time Capsule

Rekcahdam stores his most significant memories of 2013 into a HipHop Time Capsule of lyrics, story telling and actual recordings.

Portfolio

Projects

  • Celestial Mechanica (Programmer + Sound Designer + Composer) 2011
  • Pulse Boy (Programmer) 2011
  • 25 Year Legend (Project Director + Producer + Arranger) 2011
  • Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k Commercial (Composer) 2012
  • Lume iOS (Porting Programmer) 2012
  • Seedling (Composer + Sound Designer) 2012
  • Famaze (Co-Programmer) 2013
  • Devil's Dare (Composer) 2013-2014
  • Cat Poke HD (Composer) 2014
  • Ghost Song (Sound Designer + Composer; project currently in-progress) 2013-2016
  • Band Saga (Programmer + Sound Designer + Composer; project currently in-progress) 2013-
  • mixi.jp/App Cruisaders Engineer (Lead Programmer) 2015-2017
  • Streets of Red Devil's Dare Deluxe (Composer) 2019
  • Ninjala (Rapper on the Ninjala OST - "We're NEXT by Atsushi Urano and Roger REKCAHDAM Hicks")2020
  • Primary Hive (Chief Technology Officer) 2017-2020
  • Steven Universe (Session Drummer for songs "Strong In The Real Way", "Steven and the Stevens", "Ste-Ste-Ste Steven","Big Fat Zucchini", "Steven and the Crystal Gems", "Comet", "Full Disclosure", "What Can I Do (For You)", "I Think I Need a Little (Change)", "Love Like You", "Being Human", "Can I Ska My Van Into your heart") 2013-2020
  • ikenfell (Rapper, Drummer and co-producer on "Between The Lines")2020

Performances / Events

Media / Press

Education