Where to start...

Where to start? Learn a language. Buy a beginners book on the language you want to learn, don't rely on tutorials found on the web. It can be any language, but I suggest that you start with C/C++,. Learn how to do simple stuff first (how to use variables, how to get input, and so on). After you have a good grasp on the basics, you can move on to creating simple (textbased) games. My first game was a word guessing game.

If you've read how to use strings for instance, don't just suppose that you know how to use them, write simple programs that uses what you have just learned.

- Muzzafarath

Mad House Software
The Field Marshals

Edited by - Muzzafarath on June 27, 2000 10:26:55 AM

learn c and c++. learn them good because you''ll need a pretty thick knowledge of them to be able to code fast, and understand other people''s code. read all of the books and articles on game programming you can stand. buy the newest lamothe book, "Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus" and read it and work through all of the examples. I''m not saying that Lamothe'' has the greatest game programming books, but it will probably cover all of the bases with you since you haven''t had much formal training in anything programming-related (i assume). post questions here at the message board about things you don''t understand, but not too many . download lots of game demos that independent and amateur game developers have made. that seems to help me stay motivated. look at lots of screenshots from those games also, if you can''t get demos. This will help you know what you want your game to look like. Start with 2D first, before you progress to 3D. i''d say write about 3 or 4 complete 2D games before you progress to 3D. don''t go all out on the first ones, because they may never get finished. start small and build up. pay attention to other posts here on the forum. normally there will be information in posts besides what is implied on the topic title. all of my fellow posters here know that most all of the topics here get a bit off of the beaten path and end up interesting and informative.

and most of all, don''t ever give up when you hit a problem spot. most times you''ll figure out the answer in a few tries. i''ve learned that from experience

hope i''ve given you some insight...
david

*cough* You might also look at the link on the main page where it says "New? Start Here" *cough*


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"Death has come to your tea cup."

Thanks I did that as soon as I found this site and must say it has already greatly helped me. I just thought I''d put a post up here to get some ''insider'' info...

I''ve pretty much decided to go for C/C++ and just see how far I can get with that. If it''s too complicated I''ll try an easier language to start with after that.

Silvermyst

VisualBasic would be an easier language to start with if you have trouble with c/c++. You can make games with VB also, but some don''t recommend it. I''ve never tried it, though, so i have no basis for comparison. Maybe cause i love c/c++ so much...

Stick with C/C++, they are MUCH more versatile...

david

Yeah, C\C++ rules, but if nes8bit catches you saying VB isn''t cool, well... you just might find out...

- DarkMage139
"Real game developers don't change the rules. Real game developers don't break the rules. Real game developers make the rules!"
"Originality (in games) is the spice of life!"

Well Now,

The games industry definetly smiles on C/C++. And as the
others already suggested if you can on of these would
be great to learn. If however you can''t manage it or
wan''t to start easier then you could try BASIC or
Pascal first. Then after you''ve mastered programming a
little you can try with C. of course if your capable
of course you should try learning C first. All I''m
saying is that there are alternatives if you find
it to hard at first.
And as the others say Text based games are excellent
for a first game in any language.

STVOY

Mega Moh Mine!!