52 replies to this topic

[Teej]

Welcome to the Hands-On Interactive Game Development Tutorial! If you haven’t already, please start by taking a look at the portal page for this forum, which gives some clues as to the nature of our business here. I hope that this forum finds you well, for we are about to embark on a learning experience unparalleled on the Internet or anywhere else – a truly interactive game development tutorial. My job is to provide you with the education, practice and challenges that are the right of passage for this industry. Yours however is much more difficult -- you’re going to have to fend-off the inherent laziness that we’re all cursed with and convince yourself that you have the determination to learn game development, and the conviction to see the whole thing through. There is no membership fee; no registration deadline. It’s all right here in this forum waiting for you – a living entity that embraces all who possess a sincere interest in this most rewarding of pursuits. We’ll have plenty of time to get you ‘psyched’ in the next articles. For now, I’d better pass onto you some important information regarding the layout of this forum including general guidelines, participation, resources and other essentials for making your journey a productive one. A Tutorial in a Forum You’ve probably noticed that what I call the Hands-On Interactive Game Development Tutorial is actually nothing more than a forum on a message board. While I agree that it’s not the ideal venue, it’s all that I have to work with at the present. As such, I’m attempting the monumental task of organizing all of the material in as intuitive a manner as possible. Firstly, this forum is organized alphabetically instead of chronologically (as are the other forums). This allows me to numerically categorize all of the articles in the forum so that articles are logically grouped. The importance of such a system will become apparent as you begin to navigate the forum’s contents. The fact that you are reading this means that I’ve at least managed to snag your attention before you got lost! Secondly, all articles in this forum are posted by yours truly…I’m the only one allowed to create new posts. Of course, you are encouraged to reply to any post with your questions and comments -- wherever applicable, I’ve provided an area for conversation. Otherwise, there would surely be pandemonium! One final note about using the forum itself – because of the way that the posts are sorted, the newest posts do not end up at the top of the list. GameDev.net’s forums have a feature whereby new additions since your last visit are indicated by some means to the left of each article’s title. But you probably already knew that… Your Map and Compass This article was designed to be the very first thing you read upon entering the forum for the first time. In a similar manner, other introductory posts are grouped with this one (Section 01 ). Take a look through these remaining posts. The best way that I can describe the layout of the forum is to say that there are two types of sections:

1. Sequential – these sections should be read just as they’re laid out, from first to last. Examples are this section (01) and the next (Section 02 – The Learning Ladder).
2. Stationary – These sections are repositories for ongoing information gathering, news and other resources, and can be read at any time. A prime example of this is the section on the C language.

I tend to mention all updates in the News post in this section, so there’s a good place to frequent. Also, there’s a post related to the layout of this forum called Forum Comments/Suggestions where I’d appreciate your input. There’s a Ladder to Climb Once you’ve made it through the articles in this first section, you’ll definitely want to start your game development journey with Section 02 – The Learning Ladder. It serves as a primer for many of the elements prerequisite in participating in the rest of the forum, so I strongly encourage you to go completely through it. Consider it an initiation – you need to pass through it in one piece, else you’ll surely stumble and lose yourself in later parts of the tutorial. Words of Encouragement You’re just about to be let loose in the forum, but not before I mention a couple of things and propose a couple of requests… First, know that you’re not alone here. The forum has been designed to foster a sense of community where you, I and others like us can hone are skills and complement each other’s efforts. Many members are right-out devoted to assisting you with any of your questions, including myself of course, so don’t be shy. Remember – there’s no such thing as a stupid question. I’m always available by email and/or ICQ, so all you need do is click the appropriate icon by the title of any post of mine – and that includes just saying ‘hello’… Second, I’d like to emphasize that there’s no starting date for participating. For you, the forum starts right now. Proceed at your own pace – there are other members behind you as well as ahead of you. That’s part of the beauty of this forum – all posts are always current. Now for my requests. First and foremost, I’d appreciate it if you ‘signed in’ by replying to the topic entitled The Enrolment Roster. This allows everyone to know that you’re here, gives me positive feedback, and supplies me with a method of contacting all of the ‘members’ by going through the enrolment list. Secondly, and most importantly, the word ’Interactive’ in the title of this forum isn’t a mistake – it thrives on the contributions of its members (yeah, that’s you!). I’m not here to type an endless array of tutorial articles – I’m here to benefit from the opinions/contributions/feedback of others, because it’s only through a combined effort that we all excel. …And They’re Off! Okay. I think that I’ve sufficiently prepared you, our newest member. What else can I say? Welcome aboard! I look forward to seeing you in the forum! Now get busy. Tim Boston (aka Teej) Questions? Comments? Feel free to reply to this topic!

[Paulber]

I''m stoked buddy. Get me started and I won''t stop. Your words of wisdom shall heed me well as I embark on the inevitable task of finding myself within this challenging yet rewarding industry!!!

[Winky]

Hello all.

This is my first post, and i am happy that i have finally fopund somewhere that may assisit me in producing one or two of my several (hundred) game designs. I have some basic intelligence, but no information at present, so this site should help me to realise a few good ideas.

Thanks in advance, and i hope i can contribute some help to people in the future. But now? its lernin time.

Cheers all!

Winky

Laughter is the second best medicine

[ManOCheese]

Ok, I''m ready :-) I''m REALLY psyched and have just spent £50 on a software/book package to help me aswell. Which is scary coz I rarely buy software.

[davepoon]

I''m here and some what lazy, and I have a short memory span, but hell game programming looks fun, so i''m giving it a shot. PURPLE MONKEY DISHWASHER.



You think you deserve a signature? you think you''''re entitled to it, YOU CAN''''T HANDLE THE SIGNATURE

[jwalker]

no post here.. i just want my name at the bottom of such wise words from teej

{ Stating the obvious never helped any situation !! }

[jbews]

Been thinking about programming for awhile, but it wasn''t until I found this tutorial that I actually decided to give it a shot. I have played computer and console games my whole life, and really want to bring some of the ideas I''ve had to life. Here''s to the future, may it bring you nothing but fun

[Aquanius]

Well now,

I guess I would just like to say that I have been trying to learn to program for a long time now but I was never good at making it all fit together. I would just like to say that I appreciate the help that this is going to give me and maybe I can give back to it as well, thanks.

Aquanius

[CrazyJim]

I''ve been designing games since I was eight, and finally I have some straightforward info about putting it all into action.

*hysterical laughter*

[pjleger]

Hi Teej,

I have been in programming for about 5 years now (One in network programming in the Tech Industry), and a gamer all my life, but never got around to diving into game development. I''m willing and able, and looking forward to reading this forum. This looks very promising!

Patrick

[Redge]

I''m not very good in English, so I''ve only one word to say:

COOOoooooOOL !!!!!!!!

Redge

[jsmoonrider]

I do hope that this is all it sounds like. For I am willing to learn but have had difficulty finding someone to teach.

[3DXOL]

Hi
I am looking forward to getting deep into this,
I know a little about the math and engines but a little just does not make it work for me. I hope to lock on to some cold solid axioms(facts) that will pull me through the Mire of 3D Game Programming........

[SSVegetasan]

I am ready to expand my mind

[gyranto9]

I want to join. i plan on jioning a developers team after this tutorial.

[ryu09]

I''ve been learning about how to make games for quite some time and the language of C++ with some web-page knowlege. Also I''ll be co-working with Kirby on making a future PC/Video game. I''ll also be looking forward on learning more from the "Great Teej"! about programing in general and PC/Video game design.

[Excel]

Im in! Maybe these tutorials can teach me because I don''t like to read big books :\ hehe

Anyhow, count me in!