HELP!!! i'm new and don'y no anything!!

[iLuviPods]

i want to make a computer game, but i don't know any computer language. :( someone told me "c" or maybe it was "c plus" was the most popular and good for beginners cause it's by far the easiest. what funny names. is there a "c minus" LOL :D anyways, what do i need to rite a video game? will c work or is there a "special" kind of language? is it hard to do? :confused: :confused: can some1 pleaz tell me how to make a game!!! thankz:cool:

[JamieR]

Well firstly please read the posting rules and guidelines ^^.

Secondly, you'll need something like C++ to do this with Direct X implementation I believe. There is no such thing as C- from what I know.

Jamie.

[gsoft]

Well to start off programming is not easy, and starting off it can be quite boring, so make sure your prepared to see nothing useful to create for sometime, do not try and start creating GUIs straight away either learn the language you eventually choose to learn and stick to making console based applications.

There are various languages suitable for developing games and you should really learn them all as best as possible to as not only will you learn a new language you will learn something that can help better yourself in the other(s).

Some languages which you should learn, and probably become efficient in them all.

C/C++ - C and C++ are not exactly the same language C++ is a superset of C or better put a more improved version of C if you want to think of it more like that. C and C++ will require you to do a lot of low level programming which is not exactly childs play.

Java - Java has a similar syntax to that of C and C++. It is completely Object Orietated Programming language. It is also a extremely big language with many sub parts so if you decide to learn which I strongly suggest you should at least learn the language itself you should stick to one aspect of it.

Delphi - I dont know much about delphi however I put it on here because it has been used in quite a few games.

Python - Not exactly used to make Doom or any other popular game however Python is allowed to be used in some games to create mods. I havent personally used Python yet however I am wanting to do some programming with it eventually.

Depending on if you choose to program for Linux/Unix/BSD you may want to learn some Shell Programming.

That isnt exactly a comprehensive list however they are the main languages for gaming purposes. I recommend getting at least one book and sitting down reading it, and go through examples. If your not really wanting to buy a book you can and I highly suggest this go to your local library and borrow a book on programming in the language you eventually choose, you will also eventually want to buy your own books so use the library again to help, as well as quick reads in local bookstores to find something that is easy to read.

[DoubtlessOne]

there's a HUGE selection of languages you can choose from
but if you're gonna make cheap games for stuff like TI-83 plus then I suggest learning Assembly because that's the BS language it uses

for internet-based games I would learn either the following:
Java (J/J++/J*/J#)
PHP + SQL
or just a crappy HTML (I doubt you'll get far with this)

for just personal usage games:
Python
C/C++/C*/C# (C++ is by far the MOST common, not really the EASIEST, but it'll get you a bit somewhere compared to the HTML to internet)
with C++ comes visual needs, so then you'll have to add stuff like:
Visual C languages : DirectX, Direct3D, OpenGL,SDL, Software, Revolution

but then you'll need AUDIO!!! : DirectX, OpenAL, Software
then you'll want to finish it with some stuff like :SDK (Windows have a few)

Pascal (sort of like Assembly)
Ruby (WTF is this?!)

such and such...
but yea... C++ would be a good choice, however... it's not as easy as they say, it takes years to make just one game
it's not just the engine, but the graphics and audio fixes too, so it's a lot more work than most say it is
after that... just get yourself an SDK
but before all this crap
http://www.sourceforge.net
get yourself a compiler for C++ (Bloodshed Dev C++)

[tsclan]

I have heard of java before but I have never heard of just J, J++, J*, Or J# can you explain them a bit?
Also java can also be used for Non internet based games.

[TheShaner]

Wow, just wow. I applaud the above posts since they have been more than kind on trying to get you started, but for some reason, I cannot help but stifle a laugh. You've got quite a ways to go if you want to make a game and don't know anything about programming, lol. Not to be hard on you, but it seems like you've got this idea that creating a game will be a simple process and something we can just tell you how to do. C or C++ are by far NOT the easiest to learn. You either have some cruel friends or some ignorant friends. Your BASIC languages are pretty close to the easiest. I learned True BASIC first in high school and that was very easy. Once you get into Object-Oriented languages, like C++ and Java (C is not object-oriented), you're into the high-level languages. That takes a bit more understanding in programming theory. You need to get yourself books and classes if you want to jump into this kind of hobby and/or profession. It's not something you just sit down one day and a few days later you're making Quake games. Your first "game" will be: "Guess a number between 1 - 100". It'll be console and it'll be boring. I wish you the best of luck. I hope you can prove me wrong. But like I said, this isn't something you just jump into and learn real quick. It takes a lot time and patience, especially patience. Computer programming is an entirely new language, understanding, and logic. It's very math oriented too, so a strong grip in mathematics is a plus. I'm not trying to scare you or tell you it's incredibly hard and you won't be able to learn. If I can program, certainly anyone can, lol. But I just want to make sure you know that this isn't an overnight process, a weekly process, or even a monthly process. It'll take at least a year or more before you're really developing anything decent, depending on committment level and ease of understanding. Again, good luck!

-Shane

[subdigital]

Doubtless: you, sir, are a moron.

there's a HUGE selection of languages you can choose from
but if you're gonna make cheap games for stuff like TI-83 plus then I suggest learning Assembly because that's the BS language it uses

BS? I hope you're not suggesting that Assembly is a bull **** language.


for internet-based games I would learn either the following:
Java (J/J++/J*/J#)
PHP + SQL
or just a crappy HTML (I doubt you'll get far with this)
HTML is for layout, not interactivity. Without Javascript this isn't even worth mentioning.


for just personal usage games:
Python
C/C++/C*/C# (C++ is by far the MOST common, not really the EASIEST, but it'll get you a bit somewhere compared to the HTML to internet)
with C++ comes visual needs, so then you'll have to add stuff like:
Visual C languages : DirectX, Direct3D, OpenGL,SDL, Software, Revolution

Visual C Languages? wtf are you talking about? You have no idea, so you shouldn't give someone advice.

Visual C++ is microsoft's C++, that's it. It is a microsoft compiler. It is the most commonly used compiler for C++ and is widely used for development in DirectX and OpenGL


Pascal (sort of like Assembly)
Ruby (WTF is this?!)

Pascal is NOTHING LIKE assembly. That is just a moronic statement. Delphi and Pascal are very similar. It is just another tool in the toolbox, kind of dated, but will work for small tasks.

Ruby (particularly Ruby-on-rails) is a new technique for webdevelopment that has a cool concept of ActiveRecord. Basically you start with a working rough template of what you want and you chop it down and customize it from there. Sort of like Cutting a slab of marble into a sculpture, rather than build it from nothing.


And to the OP: You need to learn programming first. It's quite obvious you have never done so in the past, so jumping in to game development is a dumb move. Spend about 5 years studying up and playing with various languages. Only then will you really know whether complex development is right for you.

Oh, and FYI: spelling the way you do makes you come off like an idiot.

Ok, I'm done. Flame on. :)

[gsoft]

subdigital, was it entirely necessary to go off like the way you did at DoubtlessOne, your saying how much he sounded like an idiot, you are not any better with the way you put DoubtlessOne down.

[missing-score]

subdigital, was it entirely necessary to go off like the way you did at DoubtlessOne, your saying how much he sounded like an idiot, you are not any better with the way you put DoubtlessOne down.
I actually agree with subdigital... the last thing a beginner needs is innaccurate advice.

As for the actual question, are you sure you are ready to undertake the task that this is.... Its not as simple as typing "new game" and it appearing, its a very complex process.

I would reccomend having a look at using Flash, it's by far the easiest way to create simple, good looking games, the only trouble is the price tag. Flash has its own scripting language with a guided user interface (if you want to use it), so simple games can be made by pretty much anyone.

[gsoft]

I actually agree with subdigital... the last thing a beginner needs is innaccurate advice.

And I agree with that its how he went about it which was what I was getting perhaps I should have quoted it to make myself perfectly clear.

[iLuviPods]

i have noooo idea what ur guyz r talking about but thanx for ur replys. :) i just got "c++ for dummies". i only read the 1st chapter but i get so far. i doesn't seem like it's that hard. or maybe i'm just smarter than all u :p j/k
what's "OP' stand for? is that me????
just u watch guyz i'll have a game of my own in no time!!!

[oracleguy]

OP stands for Original Poster aka you, the person that started the thread.

Definetly post back when you got some of your game working so we can check it out.

[kalium]

First of all, you don't learn how to program games, you learn how to program..period. Once you have done at least a few years of this, then maybe you could endeavour upon making some half decent games (half decent being the operative word).

[missing-score]

First of all, you don't learn how to program games, you learn how to program..period. Once you have done at least a few years of this, then maybe you could endeavour upon making some half decent games (half decent being the operative word).
I disagree..

When you start out programming you usually have a goal. Something you hope to achieve. Its fair to say that you will have to learn programming concepts first, but if you have nothing to aim for, whats the point?

[gsoft]

i have noooo idea what ur guyz r talking about but thanx for ur replys. :) i just got "c++ for dummies". i only read the 1st chapter but i get so far. i doesn't seem like it's that hard. or maybe i'm just smarter than all u :p j/k
what's "OP' stand for? is that me????
just u watch guyz i'll have a game of my own in no time!!!

Perhaps if people are going to you seriously from now on you should probably learn to spell correctly shortening your words like "u" and "r" firstly will not earn any respect nor anyone wanting to even go out of there way to help you, that and speaking like that was dead in the 20th century.

[kalium]

I disagree..

When you start out programming you usually have a goal. Something you hope to achieve. Its fair to say that you will have to learn programming concepts first, but if you have nothing to aim for, whats the point?

Quite right. I program with the goal to earn a good living and to have an ejoyable career. Also to make applications which would be of use to myself. I did not however take a course in "programming with the goal to earn a good living and have an enjoyable career" to learn how to program.

Im just trying to make the distinction between learning how to program and learning how to program games. i.e you learn how to program first, and then you take advanced courses in learning specific techniques of game programming.

I would not reccomend someone unfamiliar with programming paradigms to pick up a "programming games in 24 hours!" kind of book. They will miss a lot along the way...

Just like a racing car driver must learn how to drive a car before he learns how to race one.

[JamieR]

....and "guyz" isn't a word...

Not having a go, but I always get a bit annoyed when people think that they can just jump straight in at the deep in a programming language and think that they could program games in *no* time at all. This is not true, you need experience and expertise in a certain language to be able to do something which requires skill and expertise.

Jamie.