My friends and I are attempting to make a simple 2D Sidescroller. We are programming noobs. We are planning to design our own art (character models, backgrounds, etc.) but we really dont know where to start.
Should we download a pre-developed engine? If so, how do we import our own characters, animations, and art into the game. OR maybe there are some free resources we can use?
Thanks in advance.
0
5 replies to this topic
Sponsor:
#2 Members - Reputation: 289
Posted 20 April 2012 - 04:56 PM
Well, considering you are admitted programming noobs, I'd say developing an engine is probably out of your comfort zone, but then using an existing one may be as well. I'm going to assume for purposes of discussion that you don't want to use something similar to RPG Maker. In that case, you should take some time to build up your programming chops on some smaller, simple projects before tackling something as big as a game. Then, do your homework... Many people choose to use an existing engine, as it saves them a lot of effort just getting the foundations and tools they need set up. Others, like myself, are crazy and ambitious and want the satisfaction of developing the whole thing more or less from the ground up (though useful libraries are fair game!). You and your friends (your team) will need to think about what you want to do, what your timeframe is, etc, and look at the options available so you can make an informed decision.
If you use a pre-existing engine, you'll need to see what formats for assets it supports, and make your assets in one of those formats. There are plenty of sources of free resources of various types around, though I can't think of a specific one off the top of my head (I'm a coder, not an artist). If you use these, or a pre-existing engine, or pretty much anything pre-existing for that matter make sure you carefully read the license terms and make sure they are compatible with what you want to do.
Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do.
If you use a pre-existing engine, you'll need to see what formats for assets it supports, and make your assets in one of those formats. There are plenty of sources of free resources of various types around, though I can't think of a specific one off the top of my head (I'm a coder, not an artist). If you use these, or a pre-existing engine, or pretty much anything pre-existing for that matter make sure you carefully read the license terms and make sure they are compatible with what you want to do.
Anyway, good luck with whatever you decide to do.
There was a saying we had in college: Those who walk into the engineering building are never quite the same when they walk out.
#3 Members - Reputation: 182
Posted 21 April 2012 - 12:25 AM
Thanks so much for your advice!
Now I would like to ask one more question. Disregard my nooby programming skills for one sec. What would be a suitable game engine for a 2D sidescroller? I've been doing my share of research and found many different 2D platforming engines, but I'm not sure of which one to go with.
Thanks in advance:)
Now I would like to ask one more question. Disregard my nooby programming skills for one sec. What would be a suitable game engine for a 2D sidescroller? I've been doing my share of research and found many different 2D platforming engines, but I'm not sure of which one to go with.
Thanks in advance:)
#5 GDNet+ - Reputation: 189
Posted 21 April 2012 - 05:14 PM
Your question depends on what language you want to use. http://content.gpwiki.org/index.php/Game_Engines This site has a list of engines and thier capabilities. Since you making a sidescroller I wouldnt recommend using the latest 3d engine maybe something simple such as allegro.
