Great game idea, now I need the know how, whats the know how?
If you want the game to be played in-browser learn java, otherwise C# or C++ is the way to go.
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I don't know exactly what I want, it's far off int he future at this poitn, which is what I knew before posting (at the very least a year) so this is what I think I have decided to do. I don't have any books on python, but I do have a c++ book, and two java books. I am going to finish learning c++, in probably about a three weeks. I have a birthday coming up in about, 2 weeks or so, I will be 18, so then I will get visual c++, hopefully (instead of a tablet, sigh) After which, I will begin working on learning directX, through reading "introduction to computer game programming with directX 8.0" (I got this book long before I read any reviews on it)and after which, I will embark on some original games, maybe start with pong, then work my way up to a short adventure game, and THEN, hopefully, after about 6 months to a year, I will be ready to begin programming this game, my ultimate goal. Sound good?
Ok, first off. Programming isn't that hard. I'm still learning. But the secret to learning how to program is to forget your goals while you learn. If you are too intently focused on what you trying to accomplish. You'll discourage yourself and you'll never reach your goals.
You know that your learning how to program when things start to click. When you wake up the next morning and you understand something you couldnt the day before.
Also, never be intimidated by the complxity of anything. When you break it down into peices its nothing.
Ok.
Here are three reasources I reccomend you look into.
http://cplus.about.com/library/blcplustut.htm (NIIIICE!!!!!)
http://libsdl.net (easy to learn library.. or at least thats what it seemed like after I read the tutorial)
Sams Teach yourself c++ in 21 days. (It's Boring as hell but it gos indepth into EVERYTHING)
Most importantly. Read every single bit of code you can get you hands on. I mean ALL of it. If someone made a pong game read it, study it, memorize it. Thats how you learn how to program.
Anyhoo.. Im off to go bash my head on some more c++. I whish my sense of dignity would let me go back to DarkBasic but Nooooo.... Well cya... My sense of dignity is currently sitting on my shoulder and poking me it pointy things so i guess that means i should go learn some more..
(BTW! First Post!!! w00t... and um hello *hides*)
You know that your learning how to program when things start to click. When you wake up the next morning and you understand something you couldnt the day before.
Also, never be intimidated by the complxity of anything. When you break it down into peices its nothing.
Ok.
Here are three reasources I reccomend you look into.
http://cplus.about.com/library/blcplustut.htm (NIIIICE!!!!!)
http://libsdl.net (easy to learn library.. or at least thats what it seemed like after I read the tutorial)
Sams Teach yourself c++ in 21 days. (It's Boring as hell but it gos indepth into EVERYTHING)
Most importantly. Read every single bit of code you can get you hands on. I mean ALL of it. If someone made a pong game read it, study it, memorize it. Thats how you learn how to program.
Anyhoo.. Im off to go bash my head on some more c++. I whish my sense of dignity would let me go back to DarkBasic but Nooooo.... Well cya... My sense of dignity is currently sitting on my shoulder and poking me it pointy things so i guess that means i should go learn some more..
(BTW! First Post!!! w00t... and um hello *hides*)
1. You're going to need to learn C++ because it's the game industry stadard
2. You're going to need to learn more than those basic Sams books will teach you. After learning a solid foundation of C++ look into probrably DirectX (for the DirectDrawness) or OpenGL (whatever you like better)
3. Good luck ^.-
2. You're going to need to learn more than those basic Sams books will teach you. After learning a solid foundation of C++ look into probrably DirectX (for the DirectDrawness) or OpenGL (whatever you like better)
3. Good luck ^.-
Personally, I prefer C/C++, but if you want to make an online game where speed is not an issue (like your idea), use Java. Java's API is (mostly) really simple to learn, and online and gui stuff is easy with Java. I've never done graphics with Java, but that shouldn't be too hard.
Why do C++??
I think for that purpose you should learn PHP and go with it.
The context is very Javaish, so you won't have trouble going there once you know PHP.
And from there it's not a far step to C++ if you're still interested in the subject.
With PHP it'll be easy to create an online interface for your game, because it basically generates webpages.
Then you program your little game behind it and voilà!
You got your game!
Also the online documentation on php.net is very good.
And to push it up even further I learned it within a couple of days, though I knew C++ and Java before and since the context is nearly the same, I only needed to learn a few specialised things.
So for you it'll be maybe 4 to 6 months I guess.
I think for that purpose you should learn PHP and go with it.
The context is very Javaish, so you won't have trouble going there once you know PHP.
And from there it's not a far step to C++ if you're still interested in the subject.
With PHP it'll be easy to create an online interface for your game, because it basically generates webpages.
Then you program your little game behind it and voilà!
You got your game!
Also the online documentation on php.net is very good.
And to push it up even further I learned it within a couple of days, though I knew C++ and Java before and since the context is nearly the same, I only needed to learn a few specialised things.
So for you it'll be maybe 4 to 6 months I guess.
C++ is easily the hardest mainstream language - its a decent OOP language built on a nasty, difficult near-low-level language.
Personally, in your place, I wouldn't bother with C++ - think about it: your game is a CCG, which means that it won't be very speed intensive. If you're careful, you could keep it very lightweight. This is an ideal application to make as a web-based applet in Java (or possibly .Net). Java has all the difficulty of C++ OOP but less of the old C crap.
Python is easy as hell. Don't worry about not owning a book on the subject: every book on Python is overshadowed by the tutorials they provide on the Python website. While the language won't be the first and last language you learn (like C++ can be) it is definitely very, very good for beginners. Its legible, sensible, and fast to work in. Once you become an advanced user, its flaky speed and hidden gotchas become unpleasant, but I can't recommend anything better for a beginner. The PyGame library is a very nice environment for making 2d sprite-based games. I highly recommend you start there.
Personally, in your place, I wouldn't bother with C++ - think about it: your game is a CCG, which means that it won't be very speed intensive. If you're careful, you could keep it very lightweight. This is an ideal application to make as a web-based applet in Java (or possibly .Net). Java has all the difficulty of C++ OOP but less of the old C crap.
Python is easy as hell. Don't worry about not owning a book on the subject: every book on Python is overshadowed by the tutorials they provide on the Python website. While the language won't be the first and last language you learn (like C++ can be) it is definitely very, very good for beginners. Its legible, sensible, and fast to work in. Once you become an advanced user, its flaky speed and hidden gotchas become unpleasant, but I can't recommend anything better for a beginner. The PyGame library is a very nice environment for making 2d sprite-based games. I highly recommend you start there.
Quote:Original post by cyberflame
Ok, first off. Programming isn't that hard. I'm still learning.
Maybe you haven't learned the hard stuff yet. I've been programming in different guises most of my life, I'm 32, and I still think programming is hard. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it, right? And programs wouldn't have bugs.
There are some elements of programming that are accesible though and with good teachers they can appear easy. htdp.org and drscheme.org are good starting places.
I try to be aware of my own short-comings - see Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One's Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments - as it helps me have a more balanced approach to things. I don't get as disheartened, even when doing difficult stuff.
edit: that was me, the AP above
Maybe you haven't learned the hard stuff yet. I've been programming in different guises most of my life, I'm 32, and I still think programming is hard. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it, right? And programs wouldn't have bugs.
There are some elements of programming that are accesible though and with good teachers they can appear easy. htdp.org and drscheme.org are good starting places.
I try to be aware of my own short-comings as it helps me have a more balanced approach to things - see Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One's Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments. I don't get as disheartened, even when doing difficult stuff.
Saying programming is easy can be discouraging to people who are finding it hard. Being a bit more realistic is helpful.
Quote:Original post by cyberflame
Ok, first off. Programming isn't that hard. I'm still learning.
Maybe you haven't learned the hard stuff yet. I've been programming in different guises most of my life, I'm 32, and I still think programming is hard. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it, right? And programs wouldn't have bugs.
There are some elements of programming that are accesible though and with good teachers they can appear easy. htdp.org and drscheme.org are good starting places.
I try to be aware of my own short-comings as it helps me have a more balanced approach to things - see Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One's Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments. I don't get as disheartened, even when doing difficult stuff.
Saying programming is easy can be discouraging to people who are finding it hard. Being a bit more realistic is helpful.
Hmm... not quite what I meant... I meant "Programming isnt as hard as it initialy appears to be." Not that it isnt hard.
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