Help?

Speaking off... maybe I should add that, I was actually thinking 2D.

-Fighting Game
-RPG

Just trying to narrow it down.

Sorry but I really don''t have a clue about programming. I draw manga comics and wanted to make a fighting game out of one of them, maybe even an RPG-Fighter. And I''m really willing to take it there, it''s just hard to figure out where to start.

Beware Of The Newbie!

i would suggest Sams Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days if you want to learn C++

its a pretty good book in my opinion

"Those who serve no purpose, have no purpose"

I would really agree with Sams Teach Yourself Visual C++ 6.0 in 21 days. But another possible way would to but the Game Programming Starter Kit 4.0. This comes with a C++ Compiler, as well as the Sams C++ book, and a Direct X SDK and book. They helped me a lot, but the SAMS books use MFC, and most games are done in WIN32. The way I learned, is I bought the SAMS book, went through it, made a few application of my own, looked through the help file some, and used the NeHe tutorials. The road to programming C++ is long, especially if you are new to programming, most people would suggest using Visual Basic, but I learned how to do C++ as my first language, so I know you can too.

*Disclaimer-You will get headaches, you will get frustrated, and the C++ help file don''t help at all. But don''t forget, do not ever give up!

En taro Adun!
Doom to all who threaten the homeworld!
*Protoss Zealot - Starcraft*

Thanks alot for the quick reply.

SonShadowCat, is it specifically usable for games? Is there actually a book specifically usable for programming games?

Anonymous Poster, is that the complete book or just a briefing?

Beware Of The Newbie!

I just reread your post, and I have to say: Don''t let anyone fool you, learning C++ will take some time. It took me over a year, but I wasn''t very dedicated. If you really want to make games, then do the following:

1. Get the Game Programming Starter Kit 4.0.
2. With the included C++ book, read through it and complete every possible day.
3. Take some time to practice making some stuff of your own.
4. Try going to www.planetsourcecode.com and download some stuff and browse throught it.
5. Read up on some on the API(Direct X or OpenGL) you choose.
(I would suggest you learn DirectX, but I use OpenGL)
6. Just read, learn, and test your knowledge until you think you are ready.
7. When you are ready, come back here and read up on the API you chose, and try making the game, you''ll probably need to try several times though.

Please don''t get mad at me if this was wrong.

The absolute most important step is to:
NEVER GIVE UP, NO MATTER WHAT GOES WRONG

I know how you feel, I felt the same way for some time...

En taro Adun!
Doom to all who threaten the homeworld!
*Protoss Zealot - Starcraft*

Here is my last peice of advice, maybe you should get the Beginning Game Programming with Direct X 8. It is directly situated for game programming, and it comes with the source code for the game, as well as a working demo. The book helps a lot too. The game is a side scrolling shooting game, maybe this could help you some. Good Luck!

En taro Adun!
Doom to all who threaten the homeworld!
*Protoss Zealot - Starcraft*

Zealot thanks alot that''s exactly what I needed. But do you know where I can order these, just in case I can''t find some of them in a book or computer store around?

Beware Of The Newbie!

Sure , you can probably find the books at www.amazon.com, but I bought the Game Programming Starter Kit 4.0 at Best Buy in Columbia, South Carolina. Amazon may have it too. Books a Million may have them too, I live in South Carolina, so the local book stores may not have them. I hope you can find what you need, I doubt that they would be that hard to find. Good luck!

En taro Adun!
Doom to all who threaten the homeworld!
*Protoss Zealot - Starcraft*

Well, to give you an answer you probably don''t want... it''s not as easy as saying "I only want to do games, isn''t there a quicker way to learn?"

That''s like saying "I don''t care about driving cars in general, I just want to be able to drive a Ford Escort." It doesn''t work that way: you still have to learn 99% of the same things, so you don''t save time. Game programming is a multi-disciplinary branch of computing, involving audio, graphics, mathematics, algorithms, data structures, file I/O, networking, etc etc... no easy way around it.

So what the others have said is true... if you want to learn how to program, buy a generic C++ programming book. Just try to think about things in game terms and try to make your own little games as you go along. After you''ve digested one of those basic C++ books, Windows Game Programming For Dummies is a good next step: read the reviews of it in GameDev''s book section for other opinions.

Of course, you don''t have to be able to program everything to make a game. If you just want to make something playable, without worrying too much about it all being your own work, and don''t mind that it may not be commercially viable, there are numerous game-making engines available to you. As someone into manga and RPG games, you are especially lucky in this regard. You might want to check out RPGMaker.net as a good starting point.

[ MSVC Fixes | STL | SDL | Game AI | Sockets | C++ Faq Lite | Boost ]

Thanks everybody.

Kylotan, I actually do want to make it from scratch and have all the freedom in it''s creation that I can therefore I obviously must self program it without using any help softwares or bases. Which is why game bases like RPG Maker, 2D Fighter Maker, Mugen, etc. Are absolutely nothing for me. I do want it to be my own creation, you know what I mean?

But yeah, I placing much hope in that there was an easy way around learning how to program anyways. I just thought, that there was a slight possibility of something of that sort maybe existing, especially after I came across this site (GameDev) so I figured I might as well just give it a shot!

Say has anybody on this site ever made a fighting game before?

Beware Of The Newbie!