About The X-Engine
The X-Engine is a game engine built around Microsoft's XNA project. It is designed to make implementation of many common and not so common features easy. It was built from the ground up in C# using XNA, and so is compatible with both Windows and Xbox 360. The X-Engine is built on the XNA Framework 3.0 CTP, and will be updated to XNA Framework 3.0 when it is released.

The current version is version 2.1.4. Please keep in mind that the engine is still in development, and may contain bugs, problems, or partially implemented features. These problems will be fixed as we continue development.

News

5/27/08 Build 2.1.4
Build 2.1.4 is now up in the releases section. There has been a major redesign to the engine structure, you can read about it in the example. This build also adds alot of nice environmental effects:



4/25/08 Build 2.1.3
Wow, that went faster than I thought. No, this build doesn't have the lighting yet, but its close. This build adds a particle effects system and a chase camera, and some additions to the helper class XTools. Once again, these can all be seen in the demo.

Update: A few problems with the demo have been fixed.



4/24/08: Build 2.1.2
I actually got a bit sidetracked while working on the engine and started messing around with the JibLibX Physics Library, and decided to try implementing it in the X-Engine. This turned out quite nicely, so I have decided to use it as the main physics component in the engine. JigLib is a good physics engine, and supports bounding boxes, bounding spheres, vehicles, heightmaps, meshes, and a lot more. Luckily, this didn't require a whole lot of changed, in fact the only difference is that you have to set three or four more parameters when adding an actor.

Speaking of actors, I have also changed the way things (models, cameras, actors, etc.) are organized, by changing their IDs from strings to integers. This also adds a few different ways of adding actors, by having an ID assigned automatically. This can all be seen in the demo project.

There are also a number of other updates that can be found in the Build 2.1.2 Changelog. I am updating the documention for the new build, and will have it out soon. In the meantime, not a whole lot has changed from the last build, so the Tutorials on this site are still relevant, and can be used with a few small changes. Most of these things can be seen in the demo project if you have trouble.

Finally, please remember that the JigLib engine is still in Alpha, but it is moving along nicely and is actually pretty stable. Of course, as new updates come out for it, the X-Engine will be updated with them.



4/17/08: A Slight Change In Plans
The lighting system is going to need a bit more work before it's release it as part of the engine, probably a week or so's worth. In the meantime, I will be releasing version 2.1.2, and the lighting should come in the next build.

4/06/08: X-Engine Version 2.1.2 Coming Soon
The next release of the X Engine will be arriving soon-ish. Here are some screenshots of the engine in action. Among the new features:

Real Time Dynamic HDR Lighting and Shadows (HDR Lighting is not enabled in this image)



3/22/2008: X-Engine Version 2.1.1
The first public release of the X-Engine is now available. The Library and Tutorials have been updated for its new features. Read the Build 2.1.1 Changelog for information on changes and addition to the engine.