Gaming dev resources for a noob

[Sunnyknight]

Copying code != learning how to write code

 

Then how do you learn to write code?

[LosOjos]

Yes, and the quality of the 3D game would be reflected against that of a teams.

 

I don't know where you get this idea that a team will somehow make everything so much better... yeah sure, if you wanted to make Crysis 4 before the PS4 is obsolete you'd need a team the size of a AAA studio, but you could make an awesome game on your own under less pressure.

 

Your opinions suggest a lack of knowledge/appreciation for the indie game developers community...

[LosOjos]

Then how do you learn to write code?

 

By doing. Keep making increasingly complex games and certain things become second nature. Of course nobody remembers every possible call, you always need to reference something (MSDN is great for that BTW) but there's a huge difference between following a tutorial and completing a project off your own back. I'd have thought you'd have known these having a degree in programming?

[Rawns]

Primarily, my aim is to lean C#. I just think I may as well try and learn it while developing something that really interests me. In theory, it should hold my attention a lot more.

 

Years ago, I bought a 'teach yourself VB' book which involved building a stock market tracker program. After chapter 2, I gave up as I had no interest with building a program to monitor the FTSE100!

[X-13]

Then how do you learn to write code?

 

Straight up copy+pasting won't teach you anything.

 

Learn by doing. Have a book/website to hand [nobody instantly knows the correct syntax or arguments] but experiment.

 

If you want to do XYZ think about what arguments you have available and how they could help achieve it.

[LosOjos]

Primarily, my aim is to lean C#. I just think I may as well try and learn it while developing something that really interests me. In theory, it should hold my attention a lot more.

 

In that case, I'd head over to C-Sharp Corner and follow some of their beginner's tutorials, then jump straight in to the XNA tutorials on the MSDN Create website I linked to earlier - it'll start you off making a side scrolling space shooter and from there you can build up. I always find the best way I learn a new language is to take example code and alter it to see the effects, then apply it to my own game/project. MSDN is a fantastic resource for looking up examples of how to use different methods too!

Edited June 24, 2013 by LosOjos

[X-13]

@Rawns get onto the Extra Credits guys. [i think James was/is a dev.]

 

They should be able to point you in the right direction. [iIRC, they DO answer these sort of questions.]

 

Le EDIT:

 

Have a couple of videos.

 

Edited June 24, 2013 by X-13

[Sunnyknight]

I don't know where you get this idea that a team will somehow make everything so much better... yeah sure, if you wanted to make Crysis 4 before the PS4 is obsolete you'd need a team the size of a AAA studio, but you could make an awesome game on your own under less pressure.

 

Your opinions suggest a lack of knowledge/appreciation for the indie game developers community...

 

Right, let's clear this up.

 

Lets go with a team of 3 for this scenario. We have a beginner programmer, and artist, and a game designer vs one person doing all 3.

 

The game designer will come up with certain aspects of a game that he / she would want to incorporate. They would layout a plan, a list of to dos and all of the project management tools at their disposal.

The artist, would begin to design characters / player models, backgrounds, and different layers for the scenes.

The programmer would at this point be brushing up on any skills necessary for coding all of this into the software and preparing for any bugs / errors.

 

vs

 

Solo.

 

You see the difference? I could expand so much more, but i really can not be bothered. How i know all of this, again, because i've lead a team getting the best possible results. Not to mention making a car simulation to test reactions while on the phone or listening to music etc.

 

I know where i am coming from, because i HAVE done this. I began from the bottom, and i'm no where near the top, because, there isn't a top.

[Sunnyknight]

By doing. Keep making increasingly complex games and certain things become second nature. Of course nobody remembers every possible call, you always need to reference something (MSDN is great for that BTW) but there's a huge difference between following a tutorial and completing a project off your own back. I'd have thought you'd have known these having a degree in programming?

 

Yes, and how do you do these things? By first copying what is written, understanding it, changing it, and then compiling it. Then do a more complex task, and continue. You START, by copying, thus, proving my first point.

 

Straight up copy+pasting won't teach you anything.

 

Learn by doing. Have a book/website to hand [nobody instantly knows the correct syntax or arguments] but experiment.

 

If you want to do XYZ think about what arguments you have available and how they could help achieve it.

 

You just contradicted what i said, and then repeated what i said.

 

 

Anyway, @Rawns if you want some help in programming, i can point you in the direction of a few people who have become professionals in c / c# / c++

Edited June 24, 2013 by Sunnyknight

[X-13]

You just contradicted what i said, and then repeated what i said.

 

You originally suggested that Rawns "follow the steps" to make a pacman/pong game.

 

In other words, straight up copy code.

 

Copying code without knowing what it means will get you nowhere. Sure, you made a game. But, can you make it again? WITHOUT the book.

[LosOjos]

I know where i am coming from, because i HAVE done this. I began from the bottom, and i'm no where near the top, because, there isn't a top.

 

So, where can I buy your software?

[Sunnyknight]

Copying code without knowing what it means will get you nowhere. Sure, you made a game. But, can you make it again? WITHOUT the book.

 

If you asked me that 3 years ago, i'd have said yes. Now... no.

 

So, where can I buy your software?

 

If our game was so good that it could compete with industry, you think i'd be on this!?

[Fleetwood]

This has got me thinking of picking up a previous project I was going to try and work on.. will be keeping an eye out for your progress @Rawns!

 

(6 years of working with a coding language called 'PAWN' {formely known as 'Small'} - those who are in the know of SA-MP will know about it. It's nothing remotely amazing, but it's C likeness has given me a bit of a headstart as it's all fairly familiar arguments and such.)

 

All I would say, @Rawns, is don't let the whole "Hm, I'm pretty much a noob when it comes to programming." blur your vision of the project. Remember, all the great game developers started out with those exact thoughts. The beauty of Indie is you've got no time restraints, you can start whenever and finish whenever, shaping the game as you progress/learn new skills.

Edited June 24, 2013 by Fleetwood

[LosOjos]

The problem is @Sunnyknight that you may have some valid points to make, but none of them so far have been relevant to somebody who, in their opening post, professed to being a noob. I mean, what are you suggesting here? That @Rawns, with no C# knowledge, joins a team of game designers and artists as a programmer to create a 3D game capable of competing with a AAA title? Get a grip! Edited June 24, 2013 by LosOjos

[Sunnyknight]

The problem is @Sunnyknight that you may have some valid points to make, but none of them so far have been relevant to somebody who, in their opening post, professed to being a noob. I mean, what are you suggesting here? That @Rawns, with no C# knowledge, joins a team of game designers and artists as a programmer to create a 3D game capable of competing with a AAA title? Get a grip!

 

No @LosOjos. He starts off with a team of beginner programmers. Not venturing alone. You can problem solve 100x faster with 100x (SARCASM) more eyes.

[X-13]

This has got me thinking of picking up a previous project I was going to try and work on..

 

Same here.

@Rawns would you be up for working together (independent but together... like 2 people in the same class) on this?

[Fleetwood]

Same here.

@Rawns would you be up for working together (independent but together... like 2 people in the same class) on this?

 

*pops head up* Put my name down too if that happens!

[Sunnyknight]

or you could all @TBlax @X-13 @Rawns make a game together...

[Rawns]

All I would say, @Rawns, is don't let the whole "Hm, I'm pretty much a noob when it comes to programming." - Remember, all the great game developers started out with those exact thoughts. The beauty of Indie is you've got no time restraints, you can start whenever and finish whenever, shaping the game as you progress/learn new skills.

 

This sums it up nicely for me. When playing various indie games and reading up on how the came to be because someone wanted to learn a language, it shows it is possible and that with a bit of time and effort, anyone can do it.

[Fleetwood]

I think that's what X-13 was getting at Sunnyqueen brilliant game idea:

 

You're an IT Technician in a school. It's home time, you've picked up your things and ready to leave. The plot of the game? Escape to your car whilst trying to avoid fire-breathing teachers/snot shooting kids with their petty requests. Final Boss could be RM trying to sell you their latest products.*

 

*Disclaimer: It's a sh1t3 idea, I know

[Rawns]

or you could all @TBlax @X-13 @Rawns make a game together...

 

Sounds good to me. However I think I'll need to get to grips with the very basics and reach a certain level before I can actually be of any use!

[tmcd35]

Personnally, as a noob, I'd go about it slightly differently.

 

Instead of jumping in the deep end with C/C++/C#, I'd look at a more hold by the hands solution first and move up to a more complex/lower level language latter. Have a good look at Greenfoot. This will get you used to basic game design concepts and Object Orientated program using C-like commands without having to delve to deep into the design.

 

From here you can strip away some of the safty nets and try rewriting your masterpiece with something like BlueJ - Teaching Java - Learning Java

 

From there the lower level C based languages aren't such a big step and you'd have most of the basic concepts mastered.

[Sunnyknight]

C / C# / C++ vs Java is completely different. I mean, completely.

 

If you want to venture into c, then don't start fiddling around with java. You'll get confused.

[X-13]

Sounds good to me. However I think I'll need to get to grips with the very basics and reach a certain level before I can actually be of any use!

 

Same here. It's why I suggested it.

 

Plus, it would help me focus on what I need to do.

Edited June 24, 2013 by X-13

[Fleetwood]

I've done a lot of work with LUA before. I hear it's similar/based off of one of the C's but not sure how much/which one.