BlackBox - The First Dexterity Game
Back in my past, when I ran Winthrop Dexterity Consultants, I wrote a game in Dexterity (approx 1999). This game is called BlackBox and is based on the original board game by Eric Solomon.
The concept of the game is to find the location of a number of atoms hidden in a 8 by 8 grid. Your only method of looking for the atoms is to "fire" beams into the grid from the edges of the grid and see if the beams are absorbed, reflected or deflected.
During my childhood, this was one of my favourite games and I had already written versions for the Apple //e, the Commodore Amiga, and the Sharp PC-E500 pocket computer. So, I thought why not create one using Dexterity.
I wrote the code and added it as a hidden "Easter Egg" to the products that I was selling at the time. Since then I have created a standard alone version which can be installed. I though it would be fun to mention it here, so you can have a play with it if you want to.
Here is a screenshot of the game:
Once the chunk is installed, you will find the BlackBox menu option on the Tools >> Customize menu.
The code which works for v8.0, v9.0 & v10.0 is attached at the bottom of the article.
NOTE: There is a web based Hexagonal BlackBox game available if you want more of a challenge.
Please add your comments to say what you think of the game.
David
Comments
Anonymous
July 24, 2008
Nice work. I saw this game demo'd at the dexterity training last year. I wrote my own naughts and crosses game because of that. I think most developers have interests in games. Programs like this show they still know how to have fun. It's got to be a world first to have an ERP with built in games! (I know Dynamics AX has built in training games but GP was out first!!!) Btw, I noticed your "Winthrop Consulting" trees in the top left corner of the window. Your avatar is a splitting resemplence of you. He should make a cameo in your next game :)Anonymous
August 07, 2008
Excellent Job buddy... You have definitely taken Dexterity to new levels... :-)