Python is commonly used for scripting in AAA game development. It is used in 3D modeling software like Maya and MotionBuilder for tasks like automating build steps. Python scripts can be used for continuous integration tasks like compiling code overnight and reporting errors the next morning. Python is also used for custom build steps, code analysis, debugging, and log file analysis. It allows integrating tools and streamlining workflows.

1. Python in the Game Industry
Jeff Preshing
Technical Architect
Ubisoft Montréal
10/24/2011

2. Outline
1. Describe (AAA) Game Production
2. Where Python fits in
3. Examples

3. Types of Game Development
AAA Games
Casual Games
Indie Games
Mobile Games
Social Games
Flash Games
Plus: MMORPG, etc…

4. AAA Game Programming
Mostly Windows Visual Studio

5. AAA Game Programming
Mostly Windows Visual Studio

6. Structure of a Game Production

7. Structure of a Game Production

8. Third-Party Tools Scripting
• Autodesk Maya
(Python, MEL)
• Autodesk Softimage XSI
(Python, C#, VBScript, JScript, C++)
• Autodesk MotionBuilder
(Python, C++)

9. MotionBuilder – Integrated Python Editor

10. MotionBuilder – Python-based Plugin

11. Build Steps
1. Sync code (< 1 min)
2. Build editor (5 – 10 mins)
3. Sync data (< 1 min)
4. “Cook” data (1 min – 1 hour, depends)
5. Build game (5 – 15 mins)
6. Deploy to kit (sometimes)
If only this was automated…

12. OvernightScript.py – End of Day

13. OvernightScript.py – Next Morning

14. OvernightScript.py – Archived Logs

15. Notifications

16. Notifications

17. Many Other Examples…
• Analyze MAP files
• Custom build steps for SPU ELFs
• Code sweeps
• #include < >
• Upgrading middleware
• Fix C++ initializer lists
• Locate debug information
• Precompiled header optimization
• Debugging
• Log file merging

18. Logging System
eg. For mismatched reference counts.

19. Logging System
For each event:
• Thread ID
• Timestamp
• Message
• Callstack

20. Logging System
Very big log files!
• Log file is compressed using BZ2
• Parsing step handled in C
• Script just sees event objects

21. Logging System
Post-mortem log analysis via Python scripting.

22. Thanks to
Alex Camano Alonso
Dave Bélanger
Patrick Duquette
Nicolas Fleury
Richard Malo
Pierre-Marc Simard
Questions?