iPhone / iPad application development - Game development

Abstract

An Objective-C written tower defence game which deploys on iPhone/iPad, the AI exploits A-star algorithm to calculate the shortest-path problem. Whole system design such as layers and touch sensing is done. A web server using Apache that records the high score in MySQL database and displays as PHP has been built. In addition, HTTP connection over SSL protocol - HTTPS has also been implemented. The game is about defending your base from invasion. The monsters will travel from entry point to your base. The map made of Tile-Map-XML provides nice graphics and properties that can add on, which will transform into a 2D-array that A-star path finding algorithm applies. The design of layer structure carefully avoids the problem of circular dependencies and provides separate touch priority to the game. The design of touch sensing can differentiate tap and drag gestures at same delegate. It follows the Human Interface Guideline (HIG), which is a criterion for apps to put on store. An Apache web server deployed in my home computer is monitored to demonstrate a packet sniffing intrusion in game cheating. OpenSSL is used to encipher and decipher the transmission. Thus a man-in-the-middle or spoofing attack could be prevented. This project acts as a prototype of setting up a game with network connection. The path finding system can be expanded easily to a multi-terrain map by altering g(x) values. The network communication can further expand to a player-vs-player combat mode. A market system can also be built to support the development of game elements.