Quote:Original post by Lazy Foo
So it's better to completely disregard the future so short term benefits?
No. It's better to get the short-term benefits now and the long-term benefits in the future. You keep making out as if I'm saying that people should never learn C++, which is not what I'm trying to convey here; I'm saying they should not
start with C++. They can do it later, once they've got a feeling for how all aspects of a game fit together.
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Again, this is practical game programming not theoretical game development.
Good call on using "programming" and "development" in seperate senses. What's more valuable to a newbie game developer; understanding that the 'break' keyword can drop you out of a loop early, or understanding that you need to specify what's going to happen when the player collides with each type of enemy and that the computer won't just do it for you?
Building an understanding of games by starting with C++ is like trying to read a newspaper through a microscope.
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This would be valid if get MSVC running under Linux was something they're going to need to get a job.
They don't
necessarily need to know how to program to get a job. They
do, regardless of which aspect of development they go into, need to understand how content, technology, and game design fit together to create a complete game. Everyone in the industry needs to know that. So what's wrong with them learning the stuff that they
know they need first, and then deciding whether they need the optional stuff.
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Game designer is not an entry level position, you have to work your way up. How can they work their way up if they don't have the necessary skill to get a lower level position?
Actually, I'm afraid you're Just Plain Wrong™ about that. You can get a design job with no other industry experience; your portfolio is just that much more critical. A common route to this is through modding; you make some maps for CS or mods for NWN, and pick up an industry job from there.
Quote:I say learn C++ because it's what you'll be using where most of the jobs are.
I'm not saying don't learn it. I'm saying
maybe learn it after you've got the big picture stuff sorted.