Interested in Game Design

Ninva

Анна Ахматова
Reaction score
377
I'm not a bad mathematician. I'd like to have another hobby, and I don't think making another WC III map would be very beneficial. So I come to you asking for any direction in what to read, where to look, and what to experiment with at my current n00b position.

I've skimmed Oninuva's link list, and it provides an ample sum of information with really no explanations for any newbies. So I have a few questions to ask, and if you have an answer to any of the three questions, reputation shall be bestowed upon you.

1. What are the recommended free game engines (or game design maker or whatever they're called)?
2. What language should I learn to make a very basic game (like very, very basic, so don't even mention how WoW is made, ect.)?
3. What game engines are compatible with Linux?

Thanks
 

Samael88

Evil always finds a way
Reaction score
181
Hmm.. RPG game maker would be a given to your first question, if it is still free that is.
I started with c++ text based and then used SDL, it is fairly easy if you have any experience with JASS in wc3.
SDL should be compatible with linux and mac as far as I know.
Don't expect miracles when you start of and have a LOT of patience.

If you are interrested in c++ then I recommend looking into:
http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial.html
http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/
And when you feel ready to leave text based:
http://lazyfoo.net/SDL_tutorials/index.php
http://www.libsdl.org/cgi/docwiki.cgi/

I hope it helps a bit Ninva
 

Lyerae

I keep popping up on this site from time to time.
Reaction score
105
You could take a look at Unity. I've heard some good things about it, though I've never really looked much into it myself.
 

camelCase

The Case of the Mysterious Camel.
Reaction score
362
Afaik, Unity is gaining more popularity than UDK.
(Who knows why? Maybe it's the 25% royalty fee once you earn 50k <.<)
It's like Game Maker on steroids, really.
 

Ninva

Анна Ахматова
Reaction score
377
Hmm.. RPG game maker would be a given to your first question, if it is still free that is.
I started with c++ text based and then used SDL, it is fairly easy if you have any experience with JASS in wc3.
SDL should be compatible with linux and mac as far as I know.
Don't expect miracles when you start of and have a LOT of patience.

If you are interrested in c++ then I recommend looking into:
http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial.html
http://www.cplusplus.com/doc/tutorial/
And when you feel ready to leave text based:
http://lazyfoo.net/SDL_tutorials/index.php
http://www.libsdl.org/cgi/docwiki.cgi/

I hope it helps a bit Ninva

Cool, cool, awesome! Thanks. :D

Try Unreal Developement Kit for 3D games. It's awesome.

Eh. I'm not that ambitious.

You could take a look at Unity. I've heard some good things about it, though I've never really looked much into it myself.

Unity looks cool (and probably complicated). But it doesn't meet my Linux requirement. I need something that's compatible to Linux.

Afaik, Unity is gaining more popularity than UDK.
(Who knows why? Maybe it's the 25% royalty fee once you earn 50k <.<)
It's like Game Maker on steroids, really.

Is Game Maker compatible to Linux? I've used something similar to it before.
 

azareus

And you know it.
Reaction score
63
You should definately learn C++. That would help you in basically everything.
The first thing I did was making some "rogue" games. (Text-based with different characters for each object. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogue_%28video_game%29)
They help a LOT when figuring out algorithms for showing enemies and stuff without having to use (waste) time on drawing things.

Then, when you are feeling confident, proceed into graphics which are not text-based. Be aware that this jump requires lots and LOTS of vector calculation for the figures. LOTS.

If you are still going strong at this point, congratulations!

(And no, I don't think it would be a good idea to jump right into game engines. You would probably end up with a half-finished game, and use more time on drawing/modelling than actually making the game wortwhile.)

Just my two cents. (Or whatever it's called when you give someone advice)
 

Ninva

Анна Ахматова
Reaction score
377
At first, I was really reluctant to start learning C++ because I felt like it'd be a big hassle, but the tutorials are very approachable, and the task has been thus far enjoyable. My intent is really only to make a small textbook style game meant for my nerdy friends.

Does anyone know anything about Python? Is it worth looking at, or should I stick to SDL?
 

azareus

And you know it.
Reaction score
63
Python is a possibility (pygame), but honestly I don't recommend it.

Even though it can be easier to learn, I have found that it is harder to find tutorials on what you need, whereas C++ has tutorials/forum posts for nearly any problem.

TL;DR Stick to C++.
 

s3rius

Linux is only free if your time is worthless.
Reaction score
130
At first, I was really reluctant to start learning C++ because I felt like it'd be a big hassle, but the tutorials are very approachable, and the task has been thus far enjoyable. My intent is really only to make a small textbook style game meant for my nerdy friends.

Does anyone know anything about Python? Is it worth looking at, or should I stick to SDL?

Here's what I think about SDL
http://www.thehelper.net/forums/sho...nning-Around-In-Circles?p=1363122#post1363122

What do you mean by textbook game?
Like.. text-only game? Or a visual-novel kinda thing?
If you're not intending to make a real-time game then "other" languages like C# or Java are a pretty nice alternative, actually. They're easier to use than C++ and you get stuff done faster. C++ as first language isn't easy. It will take you time and a lot of research.

So...

If you want to get your game done and don't wanna have to work/learn for months:
Use a simpler language and get going.

If your main goal is to learn C++ and you actually don't really care about getting your first game finished:
Go for C++
 
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.

      The Helper Discord

      Members online

      No members online now.

      Affiliates

      Hive Workshop NUON Dome World Editor Tutorials

      Network Sponsors

      Apex Steel Pipe - Buys and sells Steel Pipe.
      Top