10 replies to this topic

[018thedude]

I found that it may be easier to just list questions in bullet form, with the corresponding programming language.

Background

• I know basic java.
• I am willing to learn

Java

• What programs do i need for programming, modeling, art, music, etc.?
• What skills do i need?
• If someone could give me basic method setups i'd be grateful.
• How do i compile .java files?
• Why is it that when i try to compile the files, i click execute and the game doesn't even start?

C++

• What's an easy way to learn this language?
• What programs do i need for programming, modeling, art, music, etc.?

How do i get my games onto the Android App store (aka Google Play?)

 

~Spencer 

[Khatharr]

For Java start with JDK.

 

For C++ ...

 

Well, if you want to use Java then use Java. Pick one language and stick with it until you're really good at it. If you choose C++ instead then MS Visual Studio is the best for windows-targeted development and decent for targeting other platforms, but there's a few alternatives out there if you don't care for it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_integrated_development_environments

 

There is no easy way to learn C++. If you choose this language then get yourself a book and start reading.

 

Fortunately graphics/model/audio resources are generally platform/language agnostic. Find an engine or set of libraries for the target platform that have all the features you want and then look at what types are supported by what you have. Google is your friend.

 

As for publication to GP - go to their site, scroll to the bottom - in tiny print at the very end you'll see the word 'developers'. Click it.

[Geraint]

Willingness to learn is one of the best skills you can have in any subject matter in my opinion.

Java
How much of Java have you learnt?

If you have just started programming then I highly recommend using an Integrated Development Environment rather than attempt to use command line compilers. I personally speaking from experience recommend Eclipse for Java Developers. Alternatively you can also consider Netbeans.

If you choose Eclipse here is a tutorial to get you started. If you really want to know how to compile java code manually through command line then look here.

Khatharr pretty much hit the nail with graphics/model/audio resources and at your stage you don't really have to worry about it farther from being able to make/find placeholder graphics.

C++

There is no easy way to learn C++

So very true. Although funnily enough that is the first language I learnt. From personal experience I highly recommend you stick with Java first until you are competent at it before thinking about switching. (Get to the point where you know about object oriented concepts such as inheritance, polymorphism, etc.)

If you are crazy (like I was) and for some reason want to start with C++ then I recommend the following sites.
cplusplus.com
cprogramming.com

In terms of software there is a plugin for Eclipse which allows you to use it for C++ as well (A quick google search should give you a tutorial on how to setup eclipse for C++) or you can use Visual C++ Express.

Hope that information helps and good luck.

Edited by Geraint, 25 December 2012 - 10:21 AM.

[Crusable]

If someone has already said this i'm sorry, but I recommend Beginning c++ through game programming. It was the first book i have ever read and it explains the language very well. However it doesn't go over reading a writing to files.

[CreatureNZ]

I have just completed my first year in a software engineering degree specialising in game development. The books that we mostly used through out the year were:

Beginning C++ Through Game Programming (Third Edition)

Beginning DirectX 9

3D Math Primer for Graphics and Game Development

 

Although we used the books a lot, there are many areas where they are lacking and I would have struggled without the support that my lecturers provided. If you are serious about game design and development as a career, perhaps you should consider a similar course. 

hopefully that helps

[minibutmany]

What programs do i need for programming, modeling, art, music, etc.?

 

 

Music: Pro Tools(expensive yet awesome. Requires special hardware ), Audacity(free, pretty good)

If you can't play an instrument or don't have one to record then I would recommend Audiotool, which is a plug-in for chrome that features complete music creation on the spot. Very similar to Abelton Live.

 

Edit: (If you can't play an instrument but you want to, the ukelele is easy enough to pick up in about a week or too!)

Edited by minibutmany, 22 December 2012 - 05:15 PM.

[Shippou]

Java

1 What programs do i need for programming, modeling, art, music, etc.?
2 What skills do i need?
3 If someone could give me basic method setups i'd be grateful.
4 How do i compile .java files?
5 Why is it that when i try to compile the files, i click execute and the game doesn't even start?

C++

6 What's an easy way to learn this language?
7 What programs do i need for programming, modeling, art, music, etc.?

8 How do i get my games onto the Android App store (aka Google Play?)

There are plenty of good free options out there for what you desire - however it takes time to learn. There are no "fly by night" options that will make you an overnight game dev genius .... ((I apologize for the way my post looks - this forum is still mostly broken))

* 1: The Java JDK for starters http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
Next you need a good IDE such as Eclipse http://www.eclipse.org
Modeling and animations can be done in blender 3D http://www.blender.org/
Art can be done in Gimp http://www.gimp.org
Music can be done in Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net
* 2: You need a lot of patients and the willingness to learn. Game dev work can take years for larger projects.
* 3: I do not know what you are referring to. If you need code examples Google is your friend https://www.google.com/
* 4: Once you have the JDK installed you can do it the old fashion way http://www.cs.swarthmore.edu/~newhall/unixhelp/debuggingtips_Java.html
OR you can auto compile in the Eclipse IDE
* 5: You need to install the Java Jdk
Every executable java file must have a main class, declared as such

public class Some_Class{
  public static void main(String[] args){
    # Do stuff
}}

All executable .jar files must be compiled as executable jars
* 6: There is no easy way to learn C++, however reading a good tutorial and practicing helps a lot http://greenteapress.com/thinkcpp/index.html
* 7:Qt Creator is a popular IDE for C++ http://qt-project.org/wiki/Category:Tools::QtCreator
As far as modeling, art, music, e.t.c. see #1
* 8: http://developer.android.com/distribute/googleplay/publish/preparing.html

Edited by Shippou, 22 December 2012 - 08:22 PM.

[3Ddreamer]

Hi,

 

 

Stay with Java and shelf the C++ dreams for a while.  Java will get you further, faster, and better than C++ at your stage of learning.  Java has huge cross-platform, information, software, and community support advantage for early and middle experience game developers.

 

 

A game engine written in Java or C and game implemented in Java or scripting language for a game code would solve month or years of problems for you:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_game_engines  Look at jMonkey in particular.

[Pash]

Totally agree with 3Ddreamer.

Honestly, people will discuss the best beginner languages all the time (this forum is flooded with discussions). The truth is, just getting started with anything that gives you a quick turn around, and a solid learning experience, is your best bet.

I have been scripting, programming, drawing, designing for 12 years in some shape or form. I have made games/software using, paper, pens, elastic bands, turbo pascal, Flash AS, C++, Java, Python, C#+XNA and pretty much everything in between, even dabbling in DOM with HTML5/CSS and Javascript. My conclusion - I dabbled way too much at too many points, and the best tool for the job is the tool that you learn to use best, not what others say is the best tool. Naturally, like chosing a wrench in your toolbox, you need a bigger wrench for something that is harder to move, but dont be concerned by that from the beginining, just start making games.

If you really want to learn game programming (remember the disciplines of creating games are many and all very important in some respect), and the principles that will need to be learnt, to be effective, then yes, a language like Java, really is your best bet. When you start to get really good at these principals and your development lead comes to you, and says, "make me something that works really fast, because it has to.", all of a sudden your chosen tool (Java) might not be the best tool for the job, BUT, you look at something like C++ and you think, well actually - I know OOP, I know frameworks, all of a sudden, this alien language, looks a little more readable to you because youve read something at a higher level (higher - meaning more English).

Conclusion: pick something that is easiest to learn FOR YOU, make games.

I hope to start a youtube video series (in the new year), helping new comers to programming, scripting, game design, and assistance to overcome some of the early questions about this stuff. Hopefully it might be useful and fun.

PS: What I use at the moment going into 2013 - Codea IDE with LUA scripting on the ipad (been using for a few weeks) - why? Because I own an IPAD and lua is a very clean programming language. It allows me to prototype extremely quickly. Create a sprite in sprite program, save, load into codea, get it bouncing around the screen.

AND Game Maker Studio. Being able to create a game in 30 minutes by dragging and dropping actions and events or deploying some structured scripts is priceless. Also, my brother has become keen on using Game Maker, making it easier for him to pick up and make games without having any programming knowledge.

Edited by Pash, 24 December 2012 - 07:03 AM.

[JackBid]

If your pretty new to java or c++ or any programming language, my personal opinion would be to simply watch some online tutorials and play around with the code yourself. If your still struggling after that, just buy a book on the topic, most of them are written by experienced programmers and from my experience can be ridiculously helpful.

[Satharis]

Use the tool that fits the problem, of course there is a caveat to this, there often is more than one tool for a job and you have to decide which fits best.

 

C++ for example, I really HIGHLY recommend not to use C++ or to bother with it unless you find that you really need it, C++ has few practical applications in comparison to other more modernly designed languages, and frankly the only time people should really be using it anymore is when they -know- that they -absolutely- -need- the performance gain that can be brought from it. Games are one of the few places where high performance in say an AAA game would warrant using the language over others. Other languages like C# or even Java just have much more modern learning resources available and teach you much better practices, not to mention being more usable.

 

To put it simply, C++ can do anything that most other languages can, it just takes -way- more effort, and the only thing you get out of it is the possibility of better code. Your code can flat out run -worse- if you don't do it right. So unless you have good reason to migrate to C++ or to use it fulltime I would seriously consider it like a bazooka or something, you don't whip it out to go rabbit hunting or to learn how to aim, you use it when you really cannot get through that brick wall with anything else.