Hi, i'll keep this short.

So i'm an aspiring games programmer. I'm learning Unity, C#, C++ and DirectX is the plan.

I was wandering what other things might it be good for me to have a dabble in as a games developer. This doesn't have to be coding specific also.

For example: GIMP, Blender. Maybe I can touch on these slightly just to know how they work or can be used.

What other programs/software comes to mind for someone looking to get into game development?

Also, if you can clarify for me what GIMP and Blender does exactly also ^^, sorry?

Thank you.

Edit: My main focus would be programming but as something to just have a little practice with what do you think would be beneficial for me to take a look at. Or to know how to use.

Games are a piece of art that includes many processes.

As a product itself, it has the whole managment/sales pespetctives. (How to manage a team and product, and how to sell it).

As a piece of art it has the design and meaning perspectives.

As a software it has coding perspectives.

Additionaly it has audio, gui, IO, if network is available than servers/p2p. (Maybe more I forgot)

In my point of view you should focus on code practices and devlopment, while learning bits of the other worlds.

3D modeling,

2D graphics,

User experience (For GUI and IO) and graphical design,

Audio editing and recording (for music and sound)

If you have any stupid question like "What does blender do". just google it or go to their site: https://www.blender.org/

Seriously it's not hard to do.

For a software recommendation, I'm not going to write a "to buy list". Just search these stuff using your favorite search engine.

People already asked this question like million times.

@happycoder . Thanks for the reply. Really really helpful your post is i find thanks.

If I wanted to make my own assets for a game, a 2D sprite asset. What software springs to mind for doing such a thing? Is it advisable for me to get a tablet also so that i can use to draw with? As I only have a mouse.

@WoopsASword. I appreciate your honest opinion. Thanks for posting. Most helpful.

@Nypyrne. Thanks for the explanations.

If I wanted to make my own assets for a game, a 2D sprite asset. What software springs to mind for doing such a thing?

Is it advisable for me to get a tablet also so that i can use to draw with? As I only have a mouse.

Honestly, if you're just looking to dabble in everything and not commit to something specific to get something done, then you could pick _anything_

If you have a particular goal in mind, such as a project, then thats a different story, but what you are asking is something no one can answer unless you ask a more precise question.

So my focus will be coding (this is what i'm currently studying). I was thinking how it would be nice to be familiar with some other aspects of game development also as in knowing how to use other software used in different parts of game development.

Are there any applications that spring to mind that would be good to know even at just a beginners level so I can maybe look more appealing to a prospective future employee? Something I can add on my CV to say I'm familiar with.

The programs i'm referring too. They don't have to be coding specific also, can just be used in general game development. Either or.

You will have your hands full learning code-related tools, without getting into art, graphics, audio, etc.

You're learning Unity, C#, C++ and DirectX; to complement that, as a coder, I'd recommend you get familiar with:

• Visual Studio (if that wasn't included implicitly)
• Git, Subversion (source/version control)
• Python (for scripting, automation, etc)
• HTML, CSS, Javascript
• SQL, via Sqlite, or MySQL (for databases, queries, etc)

If you find yourself needing to create game assets, getting used to Blender, GIMP, Audacity, etc is useful - but employers aren't going to care about your experience there because (a) making those assets won't be your job, and (b) pro studios tend to use more expensive tools than those anyway.

You will have your hands full learning code-related tools, without getting into art, graphics, audio, etc.

You're learning Unity, C#, C++ and DirectX; to complement that, as a coder, I'd recommend you get familiar with:

• Visual Studio (if that wasn't included implicitly)
• Git, Subversion (source/version control)
• Python (for scripting, automation, etc)
• HTML, CSS, Javascript
• SQL, via Sqlite, or MySQL (for databases, queries, etc)

If you find yourself needing to create game assets, getting used to Blender, GIMP, Audacity, etc is useful - but employers aren't going to care about your experience there because (a) making those assets won't be your job, and (b) pro studios tend to use more expensive tools than those anyway.

Fantastic post. Thank you very very much for replying. I fully understand and your post i hear loud and clear. Really helpful thanks Kylotan. I shall look into this info further then when I have the time. +1