Read this guide, it should get you started.

And aim smaller, much smaller.

An MMORPG is a very large and very difficult project that would normally be tackled by a team rather than an individual, and is best approached by someone who is already experienced. I think it's great to have a lofty goal that excites you, but I would suggest you will most likely have more luck if you aim for some smaller projects first along the way rather than trying to create an MMORPG as your first project. The exception to this might be if you just want to create a smaller online RPG to play with your friends, in which case you might try using Realm Crafter.


To start out, you'll need to choose and learn a programming language. It doesn't really matter which one as long as it has libraries that allow you to get user input and output graphics and audio -- almost all languages can be used to create high-quality games, and it often comes down to personal preference.

I would personally suggest you choose Python or C#, but if there's some other language you prefer that's absolutely fine too -- just ask and I'm sure we can recommend some good learning materials.

1. Python
You would want version 2 rather than version 3 for now -- the differences will be very minor from your perspective should you later choose to update, but for now many of the libraries you might want to use haven't been updated to version 3.
You can probably just get started learning using IDLE, which comes with a download of Python from the website, but you might later want to update to a better code editor: PyCharm is probably a good choice if you're willing to spend some money, but Komodo Edit is quite good for a free option.
Python was used extensively in the creation of EVE Online, and Disney's Toontown Online.
I recommend the book Thinking In Python to learn the language, and there's also a pretty good tutorial on the official website. You could also try Learn Python The Hard Way.

2. C#
C# is growing in popularity and was used for the game Terraria. It can also be used to make games for the XBox 360.
You'll want to use Microsoft's Visual C# Express Edition, which is provided free of charge, and Microsoft also provide some good learning materials.
Once you've learned the basics of the language you would probably want to learn XNA, and eventually build your game off of that.


Hope that helps!

I wonder if film-making forums get posts from people that don't know anything about film-making but want to make a movie like Iron Man 2, and want to know where to start.

There is nothing wrong with having ambition and a goal, even if it is unrealistic. As long as you keep taking the stepping stones to get there.

But its good to ask people, because then your goal is put in perspective.

There is nothing wrong with having ambition and a goal, even if it is unrealistic. As long as you keep taking the stepping stones to get there.

Except that it's painfully unclear to beginners how making hello world or tic tac toe is going to get them to their unrealistic goal since the path to get there is so long.

It causes beginners dispair since they don't see any meaningful progress, and think the issue is that they're not doing well. Achieving goals is important; far moreso than setting them.

Except that it's painfully unclear to beginners how making hello world or tic tac toe is going to get them to their unrealistic goal since the path to get there is so long.

It causes beginners dispair since they don't see any meaningful progress, and think the issue is that they're not doing well. Achieving goals is important; far moreso than setting them.

I do agree with you. But like I said, although there are many questions like this on this site. It's good for them to be told from many people and get it put in perspective.

I also think the goals of people who have studied some sort of computing subject such as software engineering or computing science (like myself) or are just self learning can be a bit different because they haven't been thought making all the little SEEMINGLY pointless programs that actually teach you a lot about OOP and such