Help! Being a game programmer
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At the moment, I'm learning about C++ as a beginner. After learning C++, where do I go next as going to the path as a game programmer? Do I create games on unity? I already got a game maker 8.1 from yoyo games but Idk if I know the structures of the game ( dumb question) and created some 2D games without scripting. I haven't reach to the point of scripting.
Since you mention not having done any scripting I assume you have no previous programming experience, right?
If so, stay away from C++ for a while, it's a very powerful but very unforgiving language which lets you shoot yourself in the foot, or even blow your entire leg off (figure of speech of course) quite easily.
It's a good thing you've already made some small games with game maker. I've never used it myself, but I can imagine it at least gives you some insight on which basic game elements a game is constructed of.
That said, you're up to the selection of a programming language. Now, this discussion has been had on this forum quite some times now (the question really pops up multiple times a day) and a lot of times it ends up with people disagreeing with eachother. There are however a couple of languages which always seem to pop up, like C# and Java among others. I'd suggest you browse around the beginners forum somewhat and make a pick based on the suggestions you find, as long as you stay away from C++ in the beginning (trust me, it's for the best). If you want to do development in Unity I'd suggest you go for C#, since unity provides a scripting environment for that language.
From there one the key point is to keep things simple. Builds simple games, learn the basics of what makes a game tick, follow some basic tutorials, do your own experimenting, etc. Experimentation and building actual games/programs is by far the best way to learn (game) programming. Games like tetris or pong are always suggested as good starting candidates since they're relatively easy to implement, while teaching you some fundamental concepts in game development.
I think that about covers it, good luck
If so, stay away from C++ for a while, it's a very powerful but very unforgiving language which lets you shoot yourself in the foot, or even blow your entire leg off (figure of speech of course) quite easily.
It's a good thing you've already made some small games with game maker. I've never used it myself, but I can imagine it at least gives you some insight on which basic game elements a game is constructed of.
That said, you're up to the selection of a programming language. Now, this discussion has been had on this forum quite some times now (the question really pops up multiple times a day) and a lot of times it ends up with people disagreeing with eachother. There are however a couple of languages which always seem to pop up, like C# and Java among others. I'd suggest you browse around the beginners forum somewhat and make a pick based on the suggestions you find, as long as you stay away from C++ in the beginning (trust me, it's for the best). If you want to do development in Unity I'd suggest you go for C#, since unity provides a scripting environment for that language.
From there one the key point is to keep things simple. Builds simple games, learn the basics of what makes a game tick, follow some basic tutorials, do your own experimenting, etc. Experimentation and building actual games/programs is by far the best way to learn (game) programming. Games like tetris or pong are always suggested as good starting candidates since they're relatively easy to implement, while teaching you some fundamental concepts in game development.
I think that about covers it, good luck
I am also learning how to make games, and also started with C++.
The next step would be to get used to a 2D library like SDL, SFML or Allegro , these allow you to access the PC's hardware and let you move on from the 'console output only' programs the beginner books and tutorials use, also its a lot easier than trying to work out using the DirectX API's (in my opinion).
I went C++ to SDL, I use Lazy Foo's tutorials ( http://lazyfoo.net/index.php ) to get started, and then sdltutorials ( http://www.sdltutorials.com/ ) to get an idea on how to make a decent framework.
I cant say if these tutorials will teach you good programming , but they at least will give you tricks and tips which can be used in basic 2D games.
I was able to create a silly game called Kickin Sticks ( vid here , download has been deleted by host
).
[media]
C++ is a pain to learn from scratch , and I hear good things about C# and XNA ( Terraria was done on those I heard ), so if you havent gone far in C++ you may want to read up about C# ( cant say much though as I went with C++ and spent too much time on it already to give up )
The next step would be to get used to a 2D library like SDL, SFML or Allegro , these allow you to access the PC's hardware and let you move on from the 'console output only' programs the beginner books and tutorials use, also its a lot easier than trying to work out using the DirectX API's (in my opinion).
I went C++ to SDL, I use Lazy Foo's tutorials ( http://lazyfoo.net/index.php ) to get started, and then sdltutorials ( http://www.sdltutorials.com/ ) to get an idea on how to make a decent framework.
I cant say if these tutorials will teach you good programming , but they at least will give you tricks and tips which can be used in basic 2D games.
I was able to create a silly game called Kickin Sticks ( vid here , download has been deleted by host
).[media]
[/media]
C++ is a pain to learn from scratch , and I hear good things about C# and XNA ( Terraria was done on those I heard ), so if you havent gone far in C++ you may want to read up about C# ( cant say much though as I went with C++ and spent too much time on it already to give up )
C++ is a dieing language. Even Unreal is abandoning it. C# is the newer one.
I have wrote an article on starting game development, it explains each game engine and has links to each ones tutorials, the Top 5 starter game engines so if your interested
go to http://niverse.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/5-best-ways-to-start-in-game-development/
Lastly is you love C++ and have to stay with it http://www.dreamincode.net/forums/topic/42855-creating-a-game-in-c/
PS. C++ stands for C and ++ in programming means +1 so C++ = C+1 aka C version 2 lol
I have wrote an article on starting game development, it explains each game engine and has links to each ones tutorials, the Top 5 starter game engines so if your interested
go to http://niverse.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/5-best-ways-to-start-in-game-development/
Lastly is you love C++ and have to stay with it http://www.dreamincode.net/forums/topic/42855-creating-a-game-in-c/
PS. C++ stands for C and ++ in programming means +1 so C++ = C+1 aka C version 2 lol
C++ is a dieing language
Misinformation is one of the worst things you can give someone who's just starting out, watch how you inform people in "For Beginners." C++ is by no means dying, it's still in use all over the place, and continues to receive additions to the standard (C++11 being the latest as of last year). There are still people programming in C, DirectX is still natively used with C++ (all other languages need wrappers), and so on.
OP: There are APIs you can use to make games (which would require more coding of the general structure/skeleton of your game) like SDL and SFML, or there are engines like Unity and UDK (and XNA to some extent) that do a lot of the groundwork for you. Whichever language you're comfortable with, there are libraries available to let you develop games quicker. That being said, if you haven't spent too much time with C++, there are easier languages for a beginning programmer to pick up, like Python and C#, in that they generally come with fewer pitfalls and gotchas than C++. I'm partial to C#, and am using it on my own project.
Regardless of language choice, there are plenty of people here that can help you on your way. The most important step is the first one: pick a language and get started!
C++ is a dieing language. Even Unreal is abandoning it. C# is the newer one.
Ignoring all the other points in your post, this one is really funny, as Unreal is actually EMBRACING it, and getting rid of their proprietary scripting language.
I move I think, for the record, bites. I neither want to work in Kismet, nor C++, so I guess I wont be using Unreal. Then again, I wasn't going to anyways, so it's no big loss.
Oh, and since you seem to have already decided on C++, try running through this tutorial. It will teach *one way* to actually construct a game instead of a glorified example.
Author
[quote name='Fallenrat' timestamp='1340203469' post='4950975']
C++ is a dieing language. Even Unreal is abandoning it. C# is the newer one.
Ignoring all the other points in your post, this one is really funny, as Unreal is actually EMBRACING it, and getting rid of their proprietary scripting language.
I move I think, for the record, bites. I neither want to work in Kismet, nor C++, so I guess I wont be using Unreal. Then again, I wasn't going to anyways, so it's no big loss.
Oh, and since you seem to have already decided on C++, try running through this tutorial. It will teach *one way* to actually construct a game instead of a glorified example.
[/quote]
ummm O.O What happen if you got a different complier? Like Code::Block, that's what I have atm. But my uncle gave me MVSC++ tho he said this complier is used only for professional.
Edit: Can I start learning C++ and start a game from scratch that you gave me?
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