Where to start to learn games?

**Troll** · 04-18-2011, 04:51 PM

Ok so i was woundering what i would need to learn and have to make for games? Like software, language. Also where could i learn of stuff like this, forums, books, e-books etc etc

THanks

**Markus** · 04-18-2011, 07:24 PM

Depending on how professional you want your game to be, you could just start out with SCAR (the canvas/form support in Simba isn't 100% due to cross-platform issues), and make something like Mario.

**HarryJames** · 04-18-2011, 07:27 PM

Python could be a good start

**anonymity** · 04-18-2011, 07:30 PM

I would like to start off by saying, I completely hate don't like Microsoft and their bs.

I use Visual Studios and have XNA Game Studio. I would not pay for them, but I got them free through msdnaa.

**Floor66** · 04-18-2011, 07:49 PM

I've started trying out making a game in C++.
It's not gonna be easy.

I use MS Visual C++ 10 and the Allegro (5.0.2) library for graphical stuff. Get it @ www.allegro.cc

First learn the basics of C++. To start, I suggest you read this: http://www.cplusplus.com/files/tutorial.pdf DONT BE LAZY. READ IT THROUGH.
Additionally you can read up on Pointers elsewhere (read: google) as I found them to be quite confusing at times.
After that, you can follow the basic tutorials on the Allegro wiki. It'll teach you to make a cube that bounces, then a cube that moves when you use your mouse/keyboard. I strongly suggest you don't stick to the tutorial 100% but try to give it your own twist.

What I did after that is just experiment, experiment, experiment. Currently I'm trying to make a mario-like game with some free sprites I downloaded off the int0rwebz (read: google). It's quite tricky to get a sense of gravity into the game, aswell as making some objects solid (so you can stand on them) while you might fall through others.

I use several classes and I've made a grid that is 100% dynamic and consists of squares of 32x32 (which can again be changed) on which you can load bitmaps of 32x32, their source filename, location on the grid, etc. in a .ini file, along with the colission detection, loading from a spritesheet, etc. A mini-2d game engine if you will.

Be creative, think of unique things!

**Troll** · 04-18-2011, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by anonymity

I would like to start off by saying, I completely hate don't like Microsoft and their bs.

I use Visual Studios and have XNA Game Studio. I would not pay for them, but I got them free through msdnaa.

It that C++ ???

Originally Posted by Floor66

I've started trying out making a game in C++.
It's not gonna be easy.

I use MS Visual C++ 10 and the Allegro (5.0.2) library for graphical stuff. Get it @ www.allegro.cc

First learn the basics of C++. To start, I suggest you read this: http://www.cplusplus.com/files/tutorial.pdf DONT BE LAZY. READ IT THROUGH.
Additionally you can read up on Pointers elsewhere (read: google) as I found them to be quite confusing at times.
After that, you can follow the basic tutorials on the Allegro wiki. It'll teach you to make a cube that bounces, then a cube that moves when you use your mouse/keyboard. I strongly suggest you don't stick to the tutorial 100% but try to give it your own twist.

What I did after that is just experiment, experiment, experiment. Currently I'm trying to make a mario-like game with some free sprites I downloaded off the int0rwebz (read: google). It's quite tricky to get a sense of gravity into the game, aswell as making some objects solid (so you can stand on them) while you might fall through others.

I use several classes and I've made a grid that is 100% dynamic and consists of squares of 32x32 (which can again be changed) on which you can load bitmaps of 32x32, their source filename, location on the grid, etc. in a .ini file, along with the colission detection, loading from a spritesheet, etc. A mini-2d game engine if you will.

Be creative, think of unique things!

Thanks that will get me of to a good start

**anonymity** · 04-18-2011, 08:52 PM

The Visual Studios package that I have handles virtually all languages. It is a compendium. Can do in C, C#, C++, Java, Pascal, Python... et cetera.

Originally Posted by anonymity

If you are interested in C++ here are a few website references (in no particular order):
http://www.cplusplus.com/
http://www.cprogramming.com/
http://www.learncpp.com/
http://www.barcodesinc.com/articles/learn-cpp.htm

Personally, I have used these the most (in order of mostness):
wikipedia
learncpp
cplusplus
cprogramming
barcodesinc

If you end up using C++, there are plenty of us on the forums that have at least some knowledge and are willing to help you out with suggestions and such.

If you are working on C++ forms apps, I have started working on those myself and would be willing to help if I can.

**Echo_** · 04-18-2011, 09:00 PM

The only problem with Visual Studio is that it is based off of the .NET framework. So if you don't have windows or need your game to be cross platform, your out of luck.

Java is okay for game development, you would prob need knowledge of 2D graphics to effectively develop a game though. Refer to this tutorial if your interested:
http://download.oracle.com/javase/tu.../2d/index.html

**i luffs yeww** · 04-18-2011, 09:17 PM

I would say don't use Java.

And I have to say, sadly, that MS VC++ may be your best option for a game. I've never messed around with game development in Linux, but I have in MS VS with XNA, and it's pretty easy. Saddens me that there aren't as many solid games that can work on Linux. :/

And share your source!

(If you need help, I could possibly help you with C++ stuff.

)

**Troll** · 04-18-2011, 09:23 PM

So it looks like C++ is the way ahead

Also should i start on simple games or else where?
And thanks for the links anonymity and echo

**i luffs yeww** · 04-18-2011, 09:39 PM

Add me on MSN, Troll?

Also, start with simple games. Physics, sprites, maps, etc.

**Troll** · 04-18-2011, 09:41 PM

Originally Posted by i luffs yeww

Add me on MSN, Troll?

Also, start with simple games. Physics, sprites, maps, etc.

Time for me to get reading then, and sure ill add you now

**Smartzkid** · 04-18-2011, 11:36 PM

My recommendation for today is android.

Pros:
Lots of demand (android market isn't as packed as iphone app store)
Easy language (java)
Cheap to release ($25 one time fee)
Lots of support (tutorials are everywhere)

Cons:
Device fragmentation

**wantonman** · 04-19-2011, 01:32 AM

http://www.foxitsoftware.com/downloads/

for simple pdf machine///... adobe is gay

**anonymity** · 04-19-2011, 01:35 AM

what platform are you planning on developing on/for? and what type of game(s)?

**wantonman** · 04-19-2011, 01:55 AM

if ur typing 2 me im just reading that c++ tutorial...
i am interested in jrpgs altough

**Troll** · 04-19-2011, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by anonymity

what platform are you planning on developing on/for? and what type of game(s)?

No idea but atm im going down the xna route with C

**i luffs yeww** · 04-19-2011, 08:59 AM

Why C? C++ > C.

**Troll** · 04-19-2011, 09:10 AM

No idea really, liike i said im not too sure and have not really started yet

**i luffs yeww** · 04-19-2011, 09:26 AM

Oh, okay.

Well I'd google C vs C++ and check out some articles about it. I find C++ to be better than C.

**Floor66** · 04-19-2011, 09:58 AM

C++ has the plusses man... :P

In all seriousness, C++ is probably best for you to try now eventhough C and C++ are very similar.

**Troll** · 04-19-2011, 10:02 AM

Well looking around C++ seems alot better so ill start there

**Dan Cardin** · 04-19-2011, 12:51 PM

If you want to actually get around to making games, i would suggest python. python + pygame makes is very easy to get started making games. If you have to go about learning C++ and such, it could take quite a while before you can actually think of a game idea and start making it. I've found that that is quite not the case with python.