I know jack about programming and want to learn to make games (1 Viewer)

[Korn]

I did a bit of programming with LOGO and BBC BASIC about 2 yrs ago and don't remember much at all and i would like to be able to know programming so i can eventually make my own games and programs. Where should i Start?

 

[sunny]

http://www.boredofstudies.org/community/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21296
http://www.boredofstudies.org/community/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21660
http://www.boredofstudies.org/community/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20260

Although your final goal might be games programming; you must start with a smaller goal first and be familiar with conventional programming.

 

[Winston]

heh you'd probably like to read up on Direct 3D.

 

[mitochondria]

Ummm.. Of course you start by learning to program! Pick a programming language and start learning the basics.. they say the majority of games are written in C++/C - which I'm not too surprised.. but they also say C++/C are harder to learn, in other words, I would describe it as less intuitive... Personally I think programming is becoming easier and easier these days, you even have programming languages that are tailored for game programming.. (I think there's on call Blitz or something right?) and they do make fairly good games. However, if you want more out of programming, I would suggest you to learn what I call "decent" languages (will talk about this later).

The reason I started to learn programming years ago is similar to yours. (Warning: not because I like to play games - the reason that lead many naive people into learning programming, it's because I'd like to semi-realise fantasies ) I started of with C++ but didn't like it - and it stopped there. So a few years later, which is a few months ago, I have decided to start to learn programming again and this time I'm with Visual Basic .NET. Visual Basic is regarded as a programming language that is closer to spoken language - which means it is easier to learn for most people. So you could start there and then move to other languages later quite easily.

You see, game programming is NOT EASY no matter how much you enjoy playing computer games. Moreover, you need to have knowledge in more than one field, for example, graphics, sound, physics, networking... etc. This is why people are spending huge money to employ programmers that are specialised in different fields of programming to make games. Good games take more than just a person to accomplish.

So yeah.. if you are up for it, just pick a language, software publishing software , a book/ a course or whatever and start learning the basics.. It's a long journey because you can actually start making decent games Good luck!

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Took me too long to type that message *waves @ winston and sunny*

 

[Winston]

good post mitochondria, and excellent go with .NET

 

[nickw...]

Decent games? or those skanky games people make for their Software design major?

 

[mitochondria]

no offence nickw, but the first reply that came to my head is this: "you make one"

I belive all professional game programmers have made quote - skanky - unquote games at some stage, just as all scientists who have won a Nobel Prize have done "dodgy" experiments and all virtuosos (musicians) have played "crabbie" music at some point.

 

[Winston]

Originally posted by mitochondria
no offence nickw, but the first reply that came to my head is this: "you make one"

I belive all professional game programmers have made quote - skanky - unquote games at some stage, just as all scientists who have won a Nobel Prize have done "dodgy" experiments and all virtuosos (musicians) have played "crabbie" music at some point.

can't agree with you anymore, although coding does become easier if you practice alot and become a proficient programmer, but even a good programmer takes alot of effort to make good software, it requires alot of time and effort. even if the sdd assignments aren't any retail like product so what?, it's not like most of the students were trained in making efficient code, or making well built apps.

 

[mitochondria]

that confused me a bit at the beginning... but i think you mean you are supporting my argument ---> Thank you Winston hope I didn't get the idea wrongly Anyways.. I was going to mention that, any task is as hard as any others to accomplish. you'll be amazed how much you have to learn/how much experience you need to do tasks efficiently, let alone being a cleaner of any sort.

I think there is an illusion in most people to expect other people to do things that meet their expectations unconditionally. I dare to say that this is in fact a social phonomenon and is a wrong concept that shouldn't exist in mordern civilisations.

Anyways.. after all my point is - there wouldn't even be any games without the quote - skanky - unquote games

"Pong" was great, and it still is

 

[Winston]

Yeah i was agreeing with you, and yes alot of people in life take software for granted.

 

[Merforga]

Indeedy.

 

[LaZy_KoReAn]

Ewwwww, i hate programming... actually i hate the whole side of computers.

It breaks my head. =/

 

[Affinity]

Coding is one bit in developing games, there's also game balance (is it winnable? is it too easy?), lots of algorithm developing, AI developing etc etc...

I suggest you learn a language systematically first

 

[velox]

use gamemaker

 

[...]

i think if u haven't program in ur life (like me) and suddenly u have the urge to learn it, its hard cos u need to have this understanding and thinking..

cos atm i'm learning really simple C++ in uni and i tell u at start it seems like hell...

 

[Korn]

how do i add an picture to my name

 

[sunny]

Originally posted by Korn
how do i add an picture to my name

Go to your user control panel ("User CP" button at the top), click on "Edit Options" and scroll down to the bottom.

Please post here for other board related help.

 

[Korn]

how many posts do i need to move up from new member progress to the top

 

[sunny]

From a thread in the forum I just posted a link to:
http://www.boredofstudies.org/community/showthread.php?s=&threadid=27106