Please help & guide an absolute beginner to be a game maker

First off, you need the mindset. Drop the "i want to make a game" thought and put it at the back of your mind.
The first thing you need to sit down and do is figure out what you enjoy doing and what you understand doing.
Making a game is, as you already noted, a multifaceted task. You can experiment with 3d modeling, texture art, learn discrete math and other computer math techniques, or learn programing, or do sound work.
Now, the sound tends to be one mindset, most the art falls into another, and the programming covers the "how do i make a computer do X".

If you have your heart set on programming, the industry standard is c++, but programming isn't about the language. It is about the mindset. Pick a simple language like Python or a derivative of Basic, and start there. Check out the faq. And learn the mindset of breaking a problem down to simple logic of loops, and conditionals operating on variables.
If you are good at math, you can be learning all the math you want on the side, and learn to translate that to your programming.

But one thing many beginners fail to grasp (don't like grasping? even vets don't like this...) is 95% of the code you want is already written! People who study something and know what they are doing set out and make libraries to make programming easy. Havok physics, e-net networking, f-mod audio, SDL, windows/linux, etc. Once you learn programming you only have to gain a cursory knowledge of other technology in order to use libraries that take care of all the heavy lifting.

One of the best options for you is to use dark basic. This software was made for beginners such as yourself. Forget the industry standard. It's good to learn c++, but you need to learn a language well enough to be proficient at making a game. Once you get started programing a game, you will need to pull every programming trick you have. A good programming exercise to start out with is Tic tac toe. The hardest game to make is going to be your first one. The best thing you can do is learn to think in code. Think about what type of code you will have to write in order to make a game work. The thing a lot of beginners fail to take into account is that any well known title has hundreds of artist working on any aspect. A game consist of 3d models, sound, textures, input, and physics.

You are always free to pursue the independent route, and use free software, such as Blender, audacity, gimp, and havoc to create a game, but you are better working with an already created engine. Dark basic professional has a trial and if you like it you can buy it for 90$. It's royalty free, so you are not charged with anything you create.

You do need to hone into what you want to do. Whether it's programming This will enable you to take your mind off of the
Really, honestly, and truly the best thing you can do is just get as proficient as you can with a programming language.

First personally if you want to create games overall you need to know how to program of some sort. But now you need to know what you want in life and your goals, so I would be great if you could tell us a bit more about yourself and goals, there are many routes in the game dev world like programmers, artists and the game designer(and much more) but in the mean time, ill give you a lil route to think about.

If you want to program games, be the programmer of the game, you need to learn some type of programming, for this a language like Python or C# is a very good start. They are easier to begin with than C++ and have alot of support online and by company's(C# is from Microsoft). With Python you can use the Pygame library to start working on making games with said language. C# has the XNA framework to help on game dev also. Both of these are good languages and frameworks to start programming, if your goal at the end is to go proffesional(work on a game company) learning C++ later on is a must. C++ is the industry standard language.

If you want to program as a hobby or indie, C++ is really not needed and you should stick with C# or any other language capable of making games. You could also learn with an API wrapped language like DarkBASIC Pro, BlitzMax,etc. Its a hobby not a career, this can do the job yoy want,easier. C++ is not needed.

If you want to design games I reccomend starting with something like Game Maker, this will help you put your ideas across/workable/playable withought much hassle because you dont need to program much if any to make a game with this utility, its awesome.Period. From there moving up to Python and/or C#(scripting or high level languages,not C/C++) would be enough for a proffesional designer.

API wrapped languages, frameworks, game engines simplify game development, C# is a language but with the XNA framework you can make games simpler than C# alone, is a good example.

There are alot to choose from but just grab one and stick with it.

Good luck

Since you are so new to Game Development, it would be good to start with a Game Making program such as GameMaker. With this, you can make Games via a point and click interface and give you an idea how games are formed from a high level perspective.

@owiley
Since you explain like these, i can understand a bit. I hope you can explain more about that.

@2DExtremeOwner
Actually, making game is just one of my dream, but i hope i can make good games, maybe i would make it as my second job :)
So i heard a good game involve many aspect, maybe i can focus on one aspect and join a game making team, how about it?

So beginners should learn basic or python right? How to choose among them?

Sorry, i double posted...

Check them both out and choose which one your more comfortable with.
I'd recommend python, but that's just me.

We can't really decide for you.
I actually started on c++.

They all take you to the same place eventually.

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Original post by lanette @owiley Since you explain like these, i can understand a bit. I hope you can explain more about that.

Unfortunately, owiley's explaination is inaccurate and, in fact, largely irrelevent to what you need to care about right now, even if he were correct.

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So i heard a good game involve many aspect, maybe i can focus on one aspect and join a game making team, how about it?

Yes, that is true, making a game involves a lot of work from a number of different disciplines. On this site we have an overabundance of programmers so we tend to focus on the programming aspect. Fortunately, there are tools and resources available such that you don't have to be both an amazing artist and a great programmer to build games.

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So beginners should learn basic or python right? How to choose among them?

I would recommend Python as well, if you are interested in learning to program. It is an excellent first language.

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Sorry, i double posted...

Fixed.

owiley, as I've said before, your explaination is not accurate -- it is in fact, quite incorrect and missing some very important bits of information that provide the neccessary context. The information that you have provided is not useful to the OP or to the general audience of this forum, who will not be able to insert the missing information from their own experience. Please stop posting it.

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actually that was from university and its the beginning of computer science he needs to know what is happening and why it works and not. To be a certified mechanic you need to have basic knowledge to work on a car. That same principle is how i apply to myself to programming.

Just because it was "from university" does not make it correct or relevant. Nor is it at all a computer science topic -- computer science is not programming, and you are (attempting) to describe an extremely specific implementation-detail relating to the operation of a specific set of tools for a specific language on a specific platform. Not only is this irreleveant in general to a neophyte who simply appears to want to learn to program to make games, your explaination was so full of holes and misinformation that it wouldn't be useful even if it was related to what the OP wants.

An understanding of the compilation process of C++, of how that process produces machine code, and what that machine code looks like is both not "beginning computer science" material and not needed for the OP who appears to want to learn either Basic or Python.

Your assertion about basic knowledge is accurate, however, your failure is in assuming what you attempted to describe was basic knowledge. It is not.

I expect that we can let this thread get back on topic now.

Seeing how I'm one of the youngest programers here, I clearly remember how I feelt when I started programing. Your not going to learn every thing you need to know in a week, I'd go with c++, but thats just me.

Programming is most important a game

I search online and found out some game which programmed by c++ language are kinda small games like tic-tac toe, pong, space ship... But not big games like counter strike, call of duty, halo... If the result is just a small game, so why we learn programming ?

Or anyone can give me some example of exciting games result of programming ?

Im still not sure how programming make a nice game

For example, i knew a software called RealityFactory, it can make a 3D first person shooting game, the game making step is easy yet reliable, its also for free. Since it can make 3D games compare to 2D like tic-tac toe, it was a big differece.

I mean how to use programming to make 3D yet fantasic game? Any steps or methods?

You actually could do tic-tac-toe with very fancy graphics and sounds and even input methods.

There is the form of output of a game and the game mechanics itself.

You have to understand both to make any game.

If you want to jump into much more complex games then you would best learn about using existing game engines. You can still do alot of 'programming' that way (often scripting can get fairly complex) but you wouldnt have to learn (so much) how the lower level parts of those game engines work.

The higher level game engine will have you doing 'moding' where your are mostly using and modifying existing game elements and scripting behaviors to attempt to make the game you want (but within many limitation).

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Or anyone can give me some example of exciting games result of programming ?

Every game...all games have programming.

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Im still not sure how programming make a nice game

Well with programming you can make anything. Can you make a nice game with programming?

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For example, i knew a software called RealityFactory, it can make a 3D first person shooting game, the game making step is easy yet reliable, its also for free. Since it can make 3D games compare to 2D like tic-tac toe, it was a big differece.

Yes that is a game engine of some sort. A Game engine does what it was created to do, its not flexible compared to a language, but easier IF your using it to do what it was created for. Again with a langauge you can do anything, 2d,3d, any game genre, anything. With a tool you are limited to what it can do for you.

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I mean how to use programming to make 3D yet fantasic game? Any steps or methods?

Well first you must choose a language....then well ima stop it here cause you will keep asking and not working so by the time you reply make the langauge that you will choose and then I will give you more info..

Pick one: Python, C# or C++

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Well first you must choose a language....then well ima stop it here cause you will keep asking and not working so by the time you reply make the langauge that you will choose and then I will give you more info.. Pick one: Python, C# or C++

Im glad that you will help me out :)

Now i learned that different language has its own library, maybe it is call sdk or sdl ( actually i dont know what the words stand for )

I read through many opinions, and many of them said C++ is widely used but difficult to learn, C# and Python are more easily. So they recommended first C# or Python, then C++.

Although C++ is hard, but i think it waste time to study two language start from C# or Python to C++. Isn't it?

So do you think i can start from C++?
What if i start from C++?

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Although C++ is hard, but i think it waste time to study two language start from C# or Python to C++. Isn't it?

Programmers learn multiple languages. If you start with C++, you will eventually learn other languages as well. So you might as well learn various languages in a more practical order. Learning Python is not wasted time.

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So do you think i can start from C++?

Can you? Sure. Nothing is stopping you from starting with C++. Get a compiler for free, get a hold of one of the free online books, and you can get started. Starting is never an issue, then.

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What if i start from C++?

Who knows. You'll probably head for the same doldrums of frustration that many other beginners do.

Ultimately, you have to pick a language, and learn it. Without a programming language, you are locked out of the programming world. You have been told that picking either Python or C# first, is a better idea than just directly starting with C++. You have your own reasons for why you should start with C++. I already told you programmers learn multiple languages. So make a choice as it won't really matter in the end.

Hi if you go with c++ head over to 3dbuzz.com they have some viedo tutorial on programming in python, c# and c++. The c++ vtm as they call them are free but the others im not sure think you need to pay for special membership to see em

They also have tutorials on some 3d apps as well as 2d art



3dbuzz

I made a thread yesterday, but I found this thread extremely helpful. IMO this should be stickied. Anyways, im here stuck in the Marine Corps, and in Cuba right now on this highly secured and monitored internet connect. Basically, I cant download shit to my laptop, or do much of anything beside search the internet.

So im emailing my dad asking him if he could download and burn some files/programs to send to me. Im wondering what I should have sent to me. Im thinking about getting everything you guys mentioned and check them all out. So i far im going to get Python, darkBasic, C# and C++. One question, are these all files I can download?

So, can guys recommend what softwares will be using for whole game making?

i mean programming --> language
graphic --> ?
modelling --> ?
sound --> ?
game math --> ?
game physic --> ?
networking --> ?

and more...

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Original post by kidRiot So i far im going to get Python, darkBasic, C# and C++. One question, are these all files I can download?

Those are programming languages. They aren't really things you can download...they're like the spoken languages like English or German, hence the name). To utilise these languages you need something called a compiler, which turns code written in these languages into something the computer can understand.

Microsoft provide a few free IDEs (Integrated Development Environment) for C#, C++, and a few more languages. An IDE is a suite of tools that includes a compiler, but also a few other things to make your life as a programmer easier.

They're listed here (the Express Editions).

I'd advise picking a single language and pressing forward from there. No point in trying to learn several languages at once.

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So, can guys recommend what softwares will be using for whole game making? i mean programming --> language graphic --> ? modelling --> ? sound --> ? game math --> ? game physic --> ? networking --> ?

I don't think you understand that the programmer does most of that. 3D Models will be made in something like Max or Maya, and audio will be done in an audio studio, but graphics/maths/physics/networking/AI/game logic/whatever else are all done in the programming language.

You don't use seperate software to do these, you can use engines, but these are just big libraries of someone elses code, and it still all boils down to the programming language.

You list programming as one thing and then graphics, maths, etc as others. The game graphics, game maths etc are subsets of the programming.