Direct Programming vs. Creation Tools

David · 2012-01-02T01:38:58

Hi, All, I'm here primarily interested in 2D platformers and other sprite-based affairs. I'm getting started on some things; I've been coding for years, but haven't really gotten into the hard DirectX stuff that would be required for game creation on Windows. I'd kinda like to learn the low level C++ to be able to do this sort of thing properly. That said, I've heard from many that the general creation tools (a la Game Maker, Construct Classic, etc.) make the low-level coding portion non-time-effective in this day and age. I don't want to waste time if the creation tools readily available will increase my productivity (this is basically only in my spare time), but I don't want to use a tool that isn't going to give me the performance that my own design would. Your thoughts? Thanks, David

For Beginners

Started by DaveDubKing January 01, 2012 01:40 AM

13 comments, last by Narf the Mouse 12 years, 3 months ago

Programming020195BRook

1,563

January 01, 2012 06:01 PM

Even so, you shouldn't get a hick-up that is really bad. Just think of Real-Time Strategy Games, hundreds of checks are always occurring. Supreme Commander for example has hundreds of units on the field at one time, with AI running, you can just image the amount of checks occurring.

GameDev Journal: http://www.gamedev.n...-rooks-journal/

OpenChess - 1.0 done!

Classic RPG #1 - Task 9 -> January 1st 2013

Storyyeller

215

January 01, 2012 06:13 PM

Don't RTS games usually stagger ai checks over multiple ticks though?

I trust exceptions about as far as I can throw them.

Programming020195BRook

1,563

January 01, 2012 06:47 PM

Check out this article:

http://christophermpark.blogspot.com/2009/06/optimizing-30000-ships-in-realtime-in-c.html

GameDev Journal: http://www.gamedev.n...-rooks-journal/

OpenChess - 1.0 done!

Classic RPG #1 - Task 9 -> January 1st 2013

Storyyeller

215

January 02, 2012 01:08 AM

Unless Dave is plannign on making a massive RTS, I think this is getting a little off topic.

I trust exceptions about as far as I can throw them.

Narf the Mouse

322

January 02, 2012 01:38 AM

Ok, realistically, given you've stated this is a spare-time hobby for you, you're probably making relatively simple games. In that case, go with the creation tools unless you want to learn programming for its own sake.

Don't look for solutions to problems you don't have.

Now open: MouseProduced Games

Direct Programming vs. Creation Tools

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