11 replies to this topic

[Dlaclo]

Hell al, I just wanted to introduce myself and tell yall a little bit about me.
First my name is Greg. I start school this fall for game art/design. I am really just an artist who loves playing video games, so i decided to take it to the next level. I have some ideas for a game I would like to build but I am still in the first stages of decidng what I want the content to be.
So if yall have any pointers on where I should start or things I should read first please point me in the right direction. Thank you

[Dlaclo]

so basically I a not trying to build anything "serious" I jus want to learn starting wih the very basic of basics

[fireside]

Mainly you need to learn a language first and that's where the advice is going to be different from different people. Myself, I would recommend Python. Once you learn the languge basics you can use a library like Pyglet or Pygame to write some 2d games. You can also write some 3d games if you use Blender. It comes with a game engine, or you could try Unity and use Boo, which is a lot like Python, or you could move on to C#.

[Dlaclo]

so c++ is not a good starting point then? Or is it a matter of preference. I just started the c++ tutorial on here and it seems like (at least in the first chapter) he doesnt explain what the actuall commands do? So I built that first 'example' but really do not understand that first set of launguage. So my question is, how am I to build the 1st asighnment with out knowing where to put the command or do i just do it five times?

[fireside]

Some people do all right starting c++, some don't. You can get a book on c++ that will help you understand the commands, or just do a search for them on the internet, but always type c++ before the command because there is some duplication in other languages. You don't have to understand absolutely everything right away. It will come with time. Make sure you type everything in and compile things for yourself. Later on, make small changes and recompile to see if you understand it.

[Dlaclo]

ok I am going to take a break and think on it more as I am having terrible trouble with tutorial. LOL I can get the extracted file to open, make the moddification that he sugjests but when I go to do the assignment get nothig but error messages lol. what am I doing wrong?

Am I supposted to add a line to what is exsisting? or remove the m_Screen command with m_Surface
srry if these are remedial questions but that might describe how new I am to this. (although very excited and eager to learn)

[fireside]

I haven't looked at the tutorial so I can't say. It's important to analyze the error messages to help you correct them. Many times one error will generate a lot of error messages. Fixing errors will help learn the language.

[alphadog]

Directly learning to code a game in C++ (or any other language) is like learning to discuss the ontological imperative of Being before learning English.

Baby steps. First, pick up a book on C++, C# or Python (search the forum for book recommendations) and code some small script-like programs anywhere from 10-50 lines. Learn how to do really basic things like input/output, get familiar with basic data structures, etc. Then, learn basic algorithms: sorts, trees, etc. Third step, learn some basic game architectural elements, like scene graphs, MVC, the distinction between inheritance and composition, etc.

At that point, you won't pick up a game tutorial, go "WTF?" and just cut-paste-compile. In fact, you may not need a tutorial, although you could see how other people make their games. You'd be ready to put it all together in a simple game, like YATC (Yet Another Tetris Clone).

[Dlaclo]

thank you all for your suggetions and help I will pick up a book asap I start schhol sept 1st for game animation/ game design so i will keep yall informed on how its coming

[rouncer]

just curious, are you are 3d or 2d artist? cause if your strength is 2d art, thats definitely the kind of game to make... if you are technically minded enough to handle 3d art, the programming gets worse. lol.

[geon]

I don't agree with alphadog on this. If your talent is in art, that is where you should specialize. Learning to code well enough to put together something fun, let alone good looking (which you will want from day 1, since you are your own artist) is going to take years.

Try out Unity instead. You won't be able to build a very good game, or even something that could be called a game at all, but you WILL be able to get your awesome art into a realtime engine in an evening, and put together the basics of a simple platformer in a weekend (there is an official tutorial with everything ready).

After that, you should be able to put together simple demos to try out game concepts and have something good looking to show your programmer friends (us?) to make them interested in joining you.

[alphadog]

geon said:

I don't agree with alphadog on this.

Well, in my defense, I went with the assumption, since he spoke of C++, that he wanted to learn to code. :blush: If he wants to be an artist, I'd have given different recommendations...