Programming / developing a game

[Pickster]

This is something I have been threatning to do for while but for various reasons never got round to it.

Seeing as I clearly I need a kick up the backside to get this moving I am putting it out there to give me some motivtion.

I have done some 'simple' programming but nothing that really required any graphics, not beyond a few lines being drawen anyway. So this is basicly me going from the ground up.

I don't have a concept, and my initial endevours are just going to be very simple single screen efforts (probably not looking much better than an Atari 2600 game) to get me upto speed with everything required. Scoreing, collision, animation etc... the basic stuff.

Once I have found some comfort in the programming part I will then start thinking about what I can do within my abilities. Probably a 2D sidescroller since my art abilities are worth nothing and I have never done any 3D modeling.

So there it is. Any advice is welcome although I'm not expecting any. Wish me luck.

 

[yassarikhan786]

What programming language are you looking at currently?

 

[SPS]

My advice to you would either to create a game in Flash using ActionScript3 or write one in Python using the Pygame library

 

[Pickster]

I'm going with Microsofts XNA. There is plenty of help out there and I have experience in Java and some in Visual Basic (6 IIRC), so C# is going to be fairly familiar.

I did two years at Uni failing a Computer Science course (life got in the way

) so have a good foundation in OOP even if I'm going to be rusty t it.

 

[SPS]

I'm going with Microsofts XNA. There is plenty of help out there and I have experience in Java and some in Visual Basic (6 IIRC), so C# is going to be fairly familiar.

I did two years at Uni failing a Computer Science course (life got in the way

) so have a good foundation in OOP even if I'm going to be rusty t it.

Fair enough, it's not the easiest starting point, but if got OOP experience it shouldn't be too hard.

 

[Pickster]

Fair enough, it's not the easiest starting point, but if got OOP experience it shouldn't be too hard.

The thing I need to get experience in is the drawing to the screen, moveing objects and getting them to interact.

I should be ok with the logic stuff.

Will soon see though. If I can't get to grips with it I will take a look at other routes.

 

[hmmblah]

Good luck! I just started teaching myself Objective C and have been coding some small iPhone apps in XCode. I have a long way to go. I do more in PHP than anything else. I did some Java, VB, C++, delphi, perl in College, but really haven't done much since. XCode is a wonderful interface to work with though.

 

[Pickster]

Good luck! I just started teaching myself Objective C and have been coding some small iPhone apps in XCode. I have a long way to go. I do more in PHP than anything else. I did some Java, VB, C++, delphi, perl in College, but really haven't done much since. XCode is a wonderful interface to work with though.

Ah crap, I just typed out a long message and then hit the stupid 'back button' which lenovo have put right above the cursor keys on this equally stupid and wonderful T61.

Anyway, Thanks for the good luck.

I am using this experience as a step forward for me. I would love to work in the computer or games industry and this will be some useful experience. Don't get me wrong I'm not expecting to program a small game and have Epic/Valve/who-ever pick me up.

Everything so far for me has turned out to be a disaster. I'm currently signed off work with severe depression and I am wanting to use this time to try and get something positive out of it.

I won't turn this into a huge sob story, but getting back into folding and being part of a great community have really helped and this is the next step I'm taking.

Thanks for listening, now I have lost any cool factor I had I will get back to trying to win the race to 5 million and tinker with Visual Studio 2010.

 

[hmmblah]

Good idea to keep busy and programming will definitely keep you busy! Folding has always been a good outlet for me, even with the frustrations it can bring. Folding brought me into this community as well so it has definitely had an impact on me. Great to have you here and wish you the best.

You still have the cool factor IMO, epeen may have shrank just a bit though. 5 million will help get that back.

 

[dugdiamond]

XNA is a great starting point to learn game coding

i advise purchasing a XNA premium membership (and then do not renew it

)

it will give you access to premium content and code, from which to learn from, and can be alot cheaper than investing into a plephora of books.

i have coded with XNA of my years of game development, and went even further and bought a license for one of their partners "sunburn engine"

if you need help just ask

 

[Brooksie]

Good luck! I just started teaching myself Objective C and have been coding some small iPhone apps in XCode. I have a long way to go. I do more in PHP than anything else. I did some Java, VB, C++, delphi, perl in College, but really haven't done much since. XCode is a wonderful interface to work with though.

I do love XCode, shame it only works with a Mac, was having issues with it running through VMware

 

[SPS]

I do love XCode, shame it only works with a Mac, was having issues with it running through VMware

This is why a want a Mac

 

[mrDMxtreme]

Good luck on this, and i hope it works out for you.

I am currently in uni as a software engineer, but only in my 2nd year, and i have / am doing what you mentioned like logic program in languages like python, C++, and now java.

I would like to program simple games as well in my free time, but i don't have much of that

also may i suggest if you start with very basic games, to start on a mobile platform like develop a game for android for example, then work your way up.

I for example am trying to learn how to create an android app right now because i want to be more familiar programing in java and working with a graphical user interface (GUI)

Lastly there is a software section on the forums (sadly not that easy to find, but its there) so when you need more help and when you start making program feel free to share there