What can I do in the space of a year?

Are you looking to be a programmer / designer / artist?

If you’re going to be a programmer, and you’ve never written any code before, get started with that right away.

C++ is the predominant language so pick yourself up a book that covers it from a beginner’s perspective – "C++ For Dummies" is a good start, I’ve used a few of their .NET books and found them great.

http://www.dummies.com/store/product/Beginning-Programming-with-C-For-Dummies.productCd-0470617977.html

Work your way through whatever book you decide to go for – do the exercises at the end of the chapters, read any suggested reading, etc. You won’t be making an MMORPGRTSFPS or anything but you’ll learn a lot by making a number guessing game, two player and 1 player vs the computer game of tic-tac-toe. These are not glamorous and may seem like baby steps but there’s an element of grind involved just like learning anything new.

Another thing to consider is what you like about writing code for games – do you like the idea of writing the code that renders everything on the screen, maybe the AI, or physics etc? That can help guide your learning a lot too.

Forums like GameDev.net will have lots of advice for beginning game programmers on what they should do next.

Also, if you can get your hands on the reading lists or even lecture notes for any courses you’re thinking of applying to then work off those – they may change from year to year but not significantly.

Hi Sean,

I would recommend making a game for what ever phone you have. A year is enough time to learn Unity3D, Flash, Cocos2D, Game Maker or Game Salad to a reasonably high level.

This will give you much more instant gratification than delving in to C++. I guess the two approaches could be summed up as deep or broad.

Spending a year on C++ will give you a deeper but narrower experience and knowledge base. Spending a year with one of the technologies I have mentioned will give you a chance to gain a broad but shallower experience of programming, level design, sound design, game design, art design and more. This could be useful is figuring out what aspect of games you want to get in to.

You could aim to release the relevant at the end of the year.

Unity <3

Hi Sean,

I would recommend making a game for what ever phone you have. A year is enough time to learn Unity3D, Flash, Cocos2D, Game Maker or Game Salad to a reasonably high level.

This will give you much more instant gratification than delving in to C++. I guess the two approaches could be summed up as deep or broad.

Spending a year on C++ will give you a deeper but narrower experience and knowledge base. Spending a year with one of the technologies I have mentioned will give you a chance to gain a broad but shallower experience of programming, level design, sound design, game design, art design and more. This could be useful is figuring out what aspect of games you want to get in to.

You could aim to release the relevant at the end of the year.[/quote:77d1b350f5]

Yeah, using Unity, Flash etc is a better way to get more game development experience.

I’ll add Stencyl to the list http://www.stencyl.com/ too.

Hi Sean,

If you’re looking to brush up on Unity etc I have a 12 week evening class starting next Wednesday which focuses on game design with Unity, 3DS max & Photoshop. It results in a FETAC Level 5 Minor Award in Games Analysis & Design. All the details are in my signature links. I get the impression from your posts that it would suit you, and there are still some free places if you’re interested.

Richard

P.S we also spend some time working with Stencyl

Stencil would be a great place to start for a 2D sidescroller.

Another good option would be learning FlashPunk. It takes alot of the pain out of Flash Game Development.

Ah. Right. That does pose a slight problem doesn’t it. Shame though.

I’m trying to do as much of the things by myself as I can, that way I can learn from it as I make it. win win situation.[/quote:ce4171e2a6]

Don’t forget to post about your progress. Best of luck with your first game!

Oh, I never knew about Stencyl, cheers. Unity first for me though, lots to learn…

I would spend my time learning basic programming to more advance level when ready. Then practice what you have learned.

Thanks alot, I’ll get started with that right away.
I never expected to be instantly able to make huge winner titles. The extent of my skills is using unity, just playing with it basically.

Thanks again.[/quote:ecb0733136]

But again, what is your desired field? Art or programming?