I am making a Tetris style game, with a field size of 10x20, but I ran into an issue, and I wanted to get other peoples opinions about it, so feel free to say what you think.

Should I start the pieces at line 0+ the size of the shape, or should I start it at line 0- the size of the shape?

For example, if the field is 20 lines deep, and I put the 'box' shape at line 0+ the box size, then the shape is already filling lines 0, 1. I am planning to make all of my shapes 'laying down', so all of the shapes will be starting in the same spot.

So do I just cheat the user and start all shapes at line[x][0] and line[x][1], or do I design the field to consider this and start the shapes at line[x][-2] and line[x][-1].
(in code it wouldn't really be -2, -1, that is just to show the concept).

Then they would start ABOVE the field, not INSIDE the field.

What do you think?

I would make the field 10x20+y and not draw the first y lines.

So what you're asking is should the shape that is dropping down, start already inside the game box at the top?

The short answer is... no.

Because if the box gets filled up to either of the top 2 lines, the player would instantly lose with absolutely no chance because the next generated piece would end up on top of the pieces already taking up that line.

I think you said it best. "do I just cheat the user" and my question is... why would you want to cheat the user? That's the last thing a game designer wants to do.

Ok, so my instincts were right. Thanks for helping me verify. :)

As far as why I would want to do anything that I would personally consider 'cheating the user', is if it was what the user expected. I didn't want to go against tradition, or what the average user would expect to happen.

For example, when I asked my wife, she said I should start them inside the playing field.

It didn't sound right to me, so I thought I would ask. :)

In most of the games I make, I try to use 'tie goes to the runner' rule, where the runner is the user.

Thanks again guys.

BUnzaga