Need Direction! Please help

[Anonymous]

Hey everyone, ok i am extremely interested in game programming but i am clueless on where to start..I am currently a 2nd year Uni student..i’m doing a Business Information Systems course so i’ve a knowledge in VB6/ VB.Net / XHTML/ CSS and Java..i am quiet good at VB.Net and Java however most of the projects i have done are business related(Connecting to Databases)..

I have found myself loving programming but not the end results(i.e Boring business software)..I always get very high/highest results for my work so i am good but i want to start moving towards game programming..Something i would be passionate about..

I’ve read loads of forums and searched through loads of websites but each one gives me different answers so any professional advice would gratful.

If ye could please tell me:

1) Whats the best language to learn?
2) Best resources?

Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks

[Anonymous]

Hey Alyxis

I’ve just started getting into games design myself and I spent a good while looking for the same kind of answers.

It really depends on what platform you want to make your games on really, if you’re coming from a programming background.

Java would be good for mobile games (which would suit you if you already know it)

C++ is good for making pc games as there is a lot of tutorials around the internet and books on this.

C# is gaining popularity because of XNA and being able to develop games for the Xbox 360.

I personally would pick C++ has it has many advantages but also might also be the harder to learn (I’m currently learing it myself)

There are vast amounts of information online, a good place to start might be gamedev.net or even picking up a beginners book and just getting your head around it.

Hope this helps

[Anonymous]

http://www.sloperama.com/advice/idea.htm

This guy has tonnes of information. Read it through.

The reason you’re getting different answers is probably because there are different answers. Games programming is a big field depending on whether you’re coding gameplay, interface, graphics or whatever.

1) Whats the best language to learn? [/quote:2d10e3cfb4]

C++ is the most commonly used language.

C# is used in Microsofts XNA which is a toolkit for Xbox 360 and Windows.

Java plays a big role in mobile gaming.

Flash is also an option.

2) Best resources? [/quote:2d10e3cfb4]

Really the best thing you can do is start making games. Start small with a Tetris clone or space invaders and work your way up. You want to get into a habit of starting projects and finishing them.

Every finished game, no matter how obvious a clone of an 80s arcade game it may be, is a demo piece to show a prospective employer.

Here’s a few game engines off the top of my head.

http://www.ogre3d.org/

http://www.garagegames.com/

http://creators.xna.com/en-GB/

You could even use the Unreal Editor and work with that.

[Anonymous]

I’d recommend C#/XNA over C++ for getting started. C# is by far the cleanest and easiest to use language I’ve encountered thus far and XNA is amazingly powerful with tons of good resources and tutorials for experts and beginners alike. Plus you’ll get the chance to get your stuff onto the 360 which is another nice bonus! :)

Another good thing about C#/XNA is if you want to migrate to C++ development later on then you should find it much easier than starting purely from scratch since it shares a lot of common syntax and constructs with the C++ language. XNA is also very similar to DirectX 9 (it uses DX9 under the hood) which should put you in an excellent position to learn this API also if you want to go C++ later.

If you want to use a fully fledged engine, then I think this is a good choice:

http://www.neoaxisgroup.com/

You can do all your scripting/game logic in C# with this engine or another .NET supported language which is a really great idea IMHO.

I’d recommend starting to program some basic games of your own first though (without the engine) because game engines can be complex and can take some time to learn. Keep it simple to begin with!

My two cents.

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys, ye have all been a great help..I plan on spending my summer months teaching myself all this after my exams of course..So just a few more questions..What are the best editors to use with the different languages and any good place where i can get more infomation on graphic engines because i’ve never used one before..

I currently use Microsoft Visual Studios 2008 (VB.Net)
and JGrasp and NetBeans 6.5 (Java)

Thanks in advance..Much appreciated

[Anonymous]

no sure about java but for c++ and c#, id go with ms visual studio 2005/2008, if youre a student you can get a free copy from msdn…

[Anonymous]

no sure about java but for c++ and c#, id go with ms visual studio 2005/2008, if youre a student you can get a free copy from msdn…[/quote:ac43745fad]

Dont have to be a student you can get a copy of visual C++ or c# express from the microsoft website.

http://www.microsoft.com/Express/

[Anonymous]

peter_b is correct, anyone can download the express editions…

as youre a student, id recommend going to http://www.dreamspark.com and downloading the full edition of ms visual studio 2008, you’l be getting used to industry standard tools.

xna is also there and you can join the xna creators club for 12 months for free!

[Anonymous]

Ya i know..Already have the Full edition from those sites..its great students get such nice deals..I’ll get the Xna 1yr subscription after my exams finish…I’ve enough distractions as it is without becoming engrossed in XNA..Thanks guys..

So i do my coding on Visual Studios..
What/How do i use graphic engines??
Any good resources i can check out?? I’ve tried looking before but everywhere i looked i just saw 100’s of them…kinda overwhelming when i didnt know what i was looking for..

All help appreciated..
Thanks
Alyxis

[Anonymous]

It depends on what on your level really.

I would recommend something like SDL for 2D games (tetris, space invaders, etc.) or possibly good ol’ Windows GDI.

SDL setup tutorial (Paths, libs, etc): http://pgdc.purdue.org/sdltutorial/sdl_setup.html

or this:
http://www.libsdl.org/tutorials.php

Once you’ve mastered all of that (using C++), I’d recommend moving on to 3D, and checking out something like Ogre3D: http://www.ogre3d.org/wiki/index.php/Ogre_Tutorials

That should keep you busy for 1-3 months.

-B.

[Anonymous]

Thanks thats exactly what i’m looking for…I was thinking Space invaders first to get my head around everything then move on to simple 3D stuff..Thanks very..Great help!

[Anonymous]

It depends on what on your level really.

I would recommend something like SDL for 2D games (tetris, space invaders, etc.) or possibly good ol’ Windows GDI.

SDL setup tutorial (Paths, libs, etc): http://pgdc.purdue.org/sdltutorial/sdl_setup.html

or this:
http://www.libsdl.org/tutorials.php

Once you’ve mastered all of that (using C++), I’d recommend moving on to 3D, and checking out something like Ogre3D: http://www.ogre3d.org/wiki/index.php/Ogre_Tutorials

That should keep you busy for 1-3 months.

-B.[/quote:396903ccda]

GDI???

I’d recommend you stick to SDL or something simple like that. GDI is a feckin ball ache and pretty archaic even for seasoned developers ;)

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