Beginner Programming

[TheZooblord]

Lets say that I have a passion for games and gaming in general, and really enjoyed the few programming classes I've taken (just a college semester in Python and some Java). Well, what if I want to make games of my own? Indie is a big thing right now, so obviously its possible to make enjoyable games with few resources and a lot of ingenuity. Lets leave creativity and luck and passion all out of the question for a moment though, because only time could tell if someone has those three things.

So the basics. How and where should I learn to code games? Are there good free references? Suggested reading or tutorials? Should I take college classes on it?

I don't expect to be the next Minecraft or Super Meat Boy or even the next Haven and Hearth, I just want to know where I can learn the programming skills necessary to make a solid game. I'm starting from pretty much scratch when it comes to everything coding. All I know how to do so far is random integers, logic loops, basic algorithms, that sort of thing. Manipulate a command window. I have no idea how to make a working GUI or code sprites and models and animations or anything at all really. Where and how is the best place to learn? What programming language would be a good starting point/which language is standard for indie games or is there even a difference between the languages AAA titles and homebrew video games use? Anyone have any advice?

 

[Killermud]

Languages for making games is very subjective, each language has its ups and downs so there is no sole 'best' language for making games, although that said, convention at the moment is that C++ is the most used language for creating engines/games.

So as for beginner stuff, I would recommend you take a look at software where it does most of the hard work for you (to start with) and allows additional coding for more complex operations that the editor alone cannot do. A good example of this is Game Maker, free I believe for the basic version but not that expensive if you want to buy it. Game maker lets you make games with ease and has a scripting function to do your own programming, the website can be found here : http://www.yoyogames.com/make
The website also contains a lot of tutorials to help you through the basic stuff to the more advanced operations.

If you have Flash you could start making some basic flash games with ActionScript, in fact Kongregate has some great starter tutorials to help you on that path : http://www.kongregate.com/labs

If you have any games made by Bethesda in recent years that use the Gamebryo engine you can in fact try making some custom functions with their Editor.

If however you wish to get straight into it, I would recommend the XNA framework for C#, this practically has no Editor so you do pretty much all of the coding yourself. Or if you like the UDK has a brilliant Editor along with a very robust custom language of the UnrealScript : http://www.udk.com/

So theres some examples to get you started, pretty much all of these use different languages so I would recommend looking at one and see if you like it, if not go onto another one.

Hope this helps!

 

[Sleekgiant]

Quick question, how is your calculus?

Bad:find something else

Good:learn C# and take advanced programming classes.

 

[Cpt. Red]

If you are aiming for making indie titles I would recommend C# with XNA but if you want to be able to make bigger games I would say C++ but I will warn you that the C++ route is much longer.

 

[Tharwen]

XNA is a great way to learn how games work, and it's incredibly easy to make medium-complexity 2D games with it (as long as you can program). It also has the advantage for you of being in C#, which is extremely similar to Java.

I'd only recommend Game Maker if you don't already know how to program, since it's designed for an entirely graphical 'programming' method, and doesn't let you do anything tricky at all.

So... yeah. I suggest getting XNA, trying some of the MSDN tutorials, then experimenting from there. After you've done that, you might find that most languages adapt relatively simply into a standard game-programming template. Bear in mind, though, distributing an XNA game is extremely tricky, and you'll never have a chance of getting it to Linux or Mac.

Another thing: If you don't have it already, GIMP is useful for pretty much any aspect of image editing/creation.

One last thing: Don't assume that 3D means better. If you can make a good game in 2D, you know you're doing it right. Some people seem to have a tendency to let a game stand up solely on the fact that they managed to get it into 3D.

 

[TheZooblord]

Eww, 3D reliance. No no, I am totally into the 2D scene or isometric. To this day Haven and Hearth is one of my favorite small-time indie developer games (absolutely free, two person creative team I believe). Very unique, very enjoyable, highly recommended. What I think makes a game good is ingenuity and an eye for what is truly fun, not the shiniest water reflections or the grittiest gunfire although nice water effects are pretty awesome lol. Still. I focus mainly on creativity, story, mechanics, and the totally subjective fun-level of a game when I judge it. I'd like to think those things would take priority in anything I produce