Where to start? Self-teaching

[Anonymous]

I’m looking to start doing things myself instead of waiting for someone to come along and force me to learn. But since I won’t have that much time to do a lot then I want to start small. So where would I start? I’ve had a look around at some game engines (torque, irrlicht) and learning C++ (I take it this is the industry standard for programming near enough?).

I’m going to start out learning C++ and there’s already a thread for all that so what’s my next step? I’ll have to add that I’m on a macbook and with a broken windows machine downstairs its not going to do much help. So with software limitations will I be able to make a small game to start off and get learning? I’ve tried search but didn’t find anything specific to what I’m looking for.

I had earlier planned to try out Microsofts XNA to make something but since I’m on a mac it’s out of the question. And I tried Boot Camp earlier and nearly wrecked this and don’t want to shell out the money for a Windows XP SP2 disk to get Boot Camp working right now.

Another thing, in my University course UUJ’s IMD, in the final year there is a Interactive Game Programming module where its making 3D games in Director with a Havoc Xtra, is this way any good or best to steer clear of? Honestly it was the module I was most looking forward too when I first started this course but never thought it was done in Director.

[Anonymous]

K,

Director is awesome. Lots of people knock it, (in favour of Flash), but I still think its cool.

Havok’s XTRA is pretty slick, and there is great art tools to export from 3DS Max into Director.

Also, there’s a few guys on the forum making a real success of this tech.

Maybe PM ‘mal’ for more details. May also tie in with your work placement post also.

There are a fair amount of game tutorials for Director/Shockwave online, and Lingo is pretty straightforward.

B.

[Anonymous]

I recommend you look into Unity, http://unity3d.com/

[Anonymous]

iPhone development is a lot easier on a Mac.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply guys. jediboy, cheers for giving me some faith in Director, I managed to see what some past students have been able to create and it looks pretty good, I’d just never thought of it as a platform for creating games.

I did discover Unity on my internet travels but I think I’ll give it a closer look, cheers for the recommendation Greenbean.

I was thinking of doing something on iPhone previously and decided against it because I’m just not a fan of having to move to play games lol, I know it’s silly but I’ve just always seen gaming as a casual medium to relax to and not have to move much. Maybe I’m just lazy (after all you only have to move your arms a bit more hehe). But thanks again for the replies.

[Anonymous]

Have a look at http://www.ogre3d.org/, its a 3D Engine/API for C++

You can also download Microsofts C++ express envoirment for free, though you probably know that.

http://www.microsoft.com/express/vc/

The Ogre sample / tutorial wiki is really good, in 4 days I wrote a 3D Plane versus Plane game, its pretty neat.

I’d look at XSI, or 3D Max for Modeling. Both are great, though I have to admit I find XSI a lot easier to learn.

Some advice, try and write a game with what you know. My first game was writen in php with a postgreSQL DB backend, and it was great. Graphics do not make a good game.

[Author]

Posts