4 replies to this topic

[Kikker]

It's obvious I want to develop (3d) games, but preferably not by engine, in a programming language like Objective-C or C++, using library's and frameworks though. I want to deploy to Windows (XP and Vista), Mac OS X and maybe linux.

I have experience with scripting, know a little bit about library's and what API's are, a very tiny bit about frameworks and the application structure of Mac apps and nothing about Linux. Maybe I know a bit about more things.

So I want to know where I should start (with learning things). Just the programming and stuff, not the modeling etc.

[netwalker]

It really comes down to what your comfortable with. That is what language and environment your most comfortable with. If your knowledge of C++ or Objective-C is limited then you'll probably want to start learning that until your "very" comfortable programming in it. As far as the game programming goes, try writing some turn-based text adventure or an online tic-tac-toe game. You don't need any fancy 3D modelling or anything like that to do those and you'll learn the basics of game programming. Similarly with your environment. If your happy in Linux or MacOS X use that or even (shudders) Win32. Also try to make it run on all of your target platforms.

These IMHO should give you a good starting point. Hope that helps.

Good Luck. :)

[MarekKnows.com]

If you are starting with game programming, start with 2D. Come up with some sort of 2D game that you would like to make and then start breaking it down and building it. Pick something easy to start with so that you don't loose motivation quickly. There is going to be a lot of work ahead of you. Suggestions for 2D games to replicate:

Pacman
Tetris
donkey kong
pong

something with a single screen of gameplay, simple logic and easy rules to follow. That will keep you busy.

If you want to work in cross platform development look at using OpenGL as your graphics renderer.

[rouncer]

i coded a 3d game first time, it was pretty crap tho.

i didnt know how to do collision detection, i had no idea how to make my guy walk properly, i didnt have any idea how to use the keyboard and input well, you couldnt even control the game it was so bugged.

just because direct x handles your triangle rastering with its neat texture filtering, doesnt mean crapall getting your game finished. (so people dont spit and call it lame)

you have to know how to make 50% of direct x yourself before you know how to use it properly.


ive made eschelons of shit demos since then slowly improving off the last over a period of 8 years, and ive still got tonnes to learn, but i think im getting better now... maybe im nearly there.

[Mikee]

I suggest checking out the XNA framework (http://creators.xna.com/), and start writing your code in C#.

You'll be able to deploy to PC and Xbox and there's quite a few nice tutorials out there to get you started.

To start with I'd stay away from 3D, start with 2D like someone above already said. Once you know what you're doing and you think you can take it a step further, try making the same game with a 3d aspect to it (for example, try tetris where you can zoom around the interface in 3d).

Get yourself a bunch of books from the library (they're likely to be a few years out of date, but the basic concepts will still apply to most of the stuff you make), learn about pixel shaders, vertex shaders, game architecture, learn some of the maths behind common game functionality.