Hey, I read an article here that recommended starting small, something I already agreed with before I read it. But to my surprise it recommended a 2D game like Tetris as a first project. Alright! I'm fine with that. But where and with what do I start? Remember, I don't know anything. I do know programming, but I don't know where to start regarding games. Do I use Direct3D to create a 2D application? OpenGL? C++, C#. Just tell me the setup I need for a productive enviroment :)

Well you mention C++ so I'll assume you're happy to use that.

Get a library such as SDL or Allegro. These libraries contain functions to draw stuff to the screen, play sounds, get input etc, though Allegro has more base functionality than SDL (there are however a lot of addon libraries for SDL which can provide stuff SDL hasn't got and Allegro has). Read the documentation and some tutorials on your chosen library and then start making games. Pong is something nice and easy to start off with (as is Tetris).

I'm using SDL - it's brilliant (haven't tried Allegro in years). Although you do need a hefty set of linker flags to make SDL work.

I'm currently fixing my knackered AI on an SDL Pong clone, and then my first finished SDL game will be officially complete. Then I'm moving onto SDL Tic-Tac-Toe (I've already got the logic worked out, just haven't done any coding yet). I'm still scared of the concept of Tetris, I don't know where to start at all.

In short, SDL is easy and great for a C++ beginner to get into game development. And it can be used with OpenGL, which is a step up in itself.

Ok, I have got Dev-C++ up and running with the MinGW.

Now I need to figure out how to get the SDL to work with it. I don't have a clue. I downloaded the "SDL-devel-1.2.8-mingw32" file, and it doesn't contain any hints on how to get it to work.

:\ :/ :|

ps. I'm on windows.

Here's My Little Tutorial on using SDL with Dev C++:

If you downloaded SDL using the Dev C++ inbuilt Package Manager, you'll be fine.

If you downloaded it manually off a website or such like, don't bother with it.

Download it again using the Packages Download. Dev C++ will install it all for you and set it up. To download Packages, go to Tools -> Check for Updates/Packages. Then choose either "Dev C++ primary devpak server" or "devpaks.org Community devpaks", and hit "Check for updates". Then tick the boxes of the stuff you want (it's sorted alphabetically) and hit "Download selected". Dev C++ will then download, install and set it up for you.

That feature is what makes Dev C++ great - it's got so many packages, you can code virtually anything with it.

Once you've done that, read below:

When you're using SDL, you need to add certain things to the linker.

In Dev C++, create your new project with all your source code files etc.

Go to Tools -> Compiler Options, and you'll see a white textbox with "Add these commands to the linker command line" above it. Tick the box, and type this into it:



That's a lower case L before mingw32, SDLmain and SDL, not a 1 or anything else.

I've got mine set up like this:



but you shouldn't need that unless you want to use the SDL TrueType Font libraries, SDL_Mixer (for audio) or use OpenGL with it.

That'll solve any "unresolved external" (with SDL-function names) errors you get.

I hope that solves any problems you currently have. Please ask again if you're stuck.

ukdeveloper.


EDIT: ignore the Anonymous troll below. Use SDL if you want to, because it's a damn-sight easier than OpenGL/DirectX when you're just starting out.

No sdl. At all. Please.

There is no reason in learning a 2d api in these times. Use opengl and textured quads. Almost the same thing, and gets you comfortable with opengl when you are ready for 3d programming.

To reiterate, go to nehe, ditch sdl/

Quote:Original post by Anonymous Poster
No sdl. At all. Please.

There is no reason in learning a 2d api in these times. Use opengl and textured quads. Almost the same thing, and gets you comfortable with opengl when you are ready for 3d programming.

To reiterate, go to nehe, ditch sdl/

And in a couple of years OpenGL, DirectX and other 3d api's will be abandoned for some new technology, so why not just wait until it gets available??

Becuase he should get comfortable working in 3d.