How do you create games?

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Aardvark Soup

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Jul 22, 2008
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I can't believe nobody has metioned Game Maker yet, the perfect tool for beginners with game design. It's incredibly easy to learn: you can start with using 'drag & drop', where you basically select commands from a list, and then switch to GML (a programming language similar to C++, but much simpler, more forgiving and with a lot of built-in functions). You can truly make some amazing 2D games with it. 3D games are a bit harder but not impossible.
 

Jamash

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Jun 25, 2008
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I've started a Games Design degree & at the moment we're learning programming in C# which is the same language Microsoft XNA game studio uses.

We're also learning 2d/3d graphics & modelling, learning about computer & consoles systems, ie how they actually work on a component level & how to take them apart etc.

The best bit of advice is to learn how to program in C# & how to make basic games with XNA, it's difficult to begin with but if you learn it while you're young & while your brain is more receptive to learning things, then it will give you a huge advantage in the future.

You can download the Visual C# studio for free here http://www.microsoft.com/express/vcsharp/Default.aspx & theoretically you could start making games for the PC & 360 with it, once you understand how it works.

I'm pretty sure that most of the Community games on X-Box live are made using this & XNA, plus if you can make games & publish them on Live then you also get a lion's share of the sales, which is nice.

Like I said, it you can crack it when you're young then it will be a huge advantage when you're older. I'm 28 & am having a hard time learning something new. I wish I'd had this interest when I was younger & had learned programming then.

We're being told that programming skills are the most sought after skills in the industry, followed by 2d/3d modelling. Even if you you can't program well, even having a basic understanding & appreciation of it will help you be a Games Designer.

Also just basic key skills like Maths, English, research & public speaking skills are good to have, since a part of being & designer & selling you're ideas for games will involve presentations & reports.
 

MagikMystery

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Aug 9, 2008
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As Aardvark Soup says, Game Maker is another possibility and its probably just as good as the one I suggested, I dont know, I've never tried it but whatever. And you've already got a link to the one I suggested but you could always try them both.

But I would not reccomend learning a programming language right now, It will probably take 20 hours or so before you start to see your first results and it would probably just seem like too much work.
 

hellthins

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Feb 18, 2008
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Jamash said:
I've started a Games Design degree & at the moment we're learning programming in C# which is the same language Microsoft XNA game studio uses.

We're also learning 2d/3d graphics & modelling, learning about computer & consoles systems, ie how they actually work on a component level & how to take them apart etc.

The best bit of advice is to learn how to program in C# & how to make basic games with XNA, it's difficult to begin with but if you learn it while you're young & while your brain is more receptive to learning things, then it will give you a huge advantage in the future.

You can download the Visual C# studio for free here http://www.microsoft.com/express/vcsharp/Default.aspx & theoretically you could start making games for the PC & 360 with it, once you understand how it works.

I'm pretty sure that most of the Community games on X-Box live are made using this & XNA, plus if you can make games & publish them on Live then you also get a lion's share of the sales, which is nice.

Like I said, it you can crack it when you're young then it will be a huge advantage when you're older. I'm 28 & am having a hard time learning something new. I wish I'd had this interest when I was younger & had learned programming then.

We're being told that programming skills are the most sought after skills in the industry, followed by 2d/3d modelling. Even if you you can't program well, even having a basic understanding & appreciation of it will help you be a Games Designer.

Also just basic key skills like Maths, English, research & public speaking skills are good to have, since a part of being & designer & selling you're ideas for games will involve presentations & reports.
Just as an addendum, http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/beginner/bb308891.aspx This website gets suggested a lot, at least to help you start of learning, by the XNA forums. Or at least it's what I saw suggested, and it's helping me along.

http://creators.xna.com/en-US You can grab the free XNA 3.0 software here. It's basically a mod to Visual C# Express that adds in some new game related templates.
 

Nimbus

Token Irish Guy
Oct 22, 2008
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Nimbus said:
Try this:

http://scratch.mit.edu/

A little too basic perhaps, but it's free.
I take it back. This is perfect for someone of your age, and a great way to up your boolean logic too.
 

MGG=REVIEWS

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Dec 2, 2007
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Huh the website seems to also have some c++ learning books i'll have a read of these...
Hum... i am gonna download Microsoft# see where it goes..although it seems to be more about making software not game software
 

MGG=REVIEWS

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Dec 2, 2007
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OK...i don't get i type in console.Wrightline("hello my name is sypho")
typed in enter and i dont know what else to do? the video says press FI which there is no such key unless they mean F1
 

D_987

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Jun 15, 2008
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MGG=REVIEWS said:
You know as i am in my second year in high school, teacher was telling us that we should prepare for our job for when we leave and i want to be come a game designer and hopefully be creating my own game ideas within years after but I don't know where to start,
with the price crunch thing money is a tight subject, so does anyone know any game software that will teach me and maybe let me create my own games?
Sorry to be the one to explain (unless it already has)

But there are very few game design jobs out there, and only the best in the field will do.

First off, it is much harder and not usually very practical to create a game on your own. I also wish to get a job in the gaming industry, and as a result have created a few SDK mods, and am currently programming an RPG with XNA games studios. (In a team)

Its all completely down to what job you want.

NO company will ever hire a Games designer (which contrary to popular belief is NOT someone who sits around thinking up ideas for games) straight away. You will probably have to start out in QA (testing).

This is NOT usually(another myth) "fun", this is playing an alpha version of the game, finding bugs and what causes them. Would you really enjoy finding glitches In a game all day (unfinished versions) and writing down what causes them only for those glitches to be ignored?

The reason QA is so easy to get into is the number of applicants who think creating games is somehow like playing them. It can be a fun experience, but it can also be frustrating, difficult and stressful.

If you manage to graduate QA you'll need to excel, and build your skills - there are many options you could take - programming, art etc... many Lead Designers are writers, programmers, who must excel in all areas of their profession to code, draw, write etc..

If you want more in-depth information search for GameCareerGuide.com, all these comments are from the numerous information sites, blogs, articles etc..that I previously read about the industry.
 

PedroSteckecilo

Mexican Fugitive
Feb 7, 2008
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Get to know an artist

Get to know some 3d Artists

Get to know some animators

Get to know some programmers

Get together some money

Make a videogame and hopefully you'll be successful and then someone will hire you.
 

MGG=REVIEWS

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Dec 2, 2007
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I am 13 i just want to know how to create games...not to create them to be hired within 3 weeks... The code is very hard to understand and microsoft videos aren't explaining there just saying what to do not what it means? could someone give me a link to a guide on how to understand it?
 

Good morning blues

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Sep 24, 2008
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I don't recommend jumping right into high-level programming, but at the same time, HTML is absolutely nothing like a proper programming language (or even a scripting language). The first 'proper' language that I learned was PHP (back-end web page processing - it, combined with a separate database system, is what powers most forums, browser games, content management systems, and so forth), and right now I'm figuring out Python and C family languages. I've taught myself, but a proper education is the 'correct' way to do it if you want a job in the games industry (which I don't).

The problem with learning PHP or Python or C at the very beginning is that A) it's very difficult to jump into and teach yourself anything more than the basics and B) you're not going to see anything interesting right away, and it's pretty easy to get bored and discouraged because of it.

So what do I recommend? I'd say download a game development kit that handles most of the really complex stuff first but forces you to do some proper scripting. Adventure Game Studio [http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/] is perfect for this - it handles all of the really complex stuff, but lets you script all of the interaction and output yourself. (You can also do some pretty advanced stuff with the language if you want to.) A really good way to do it for beginners is to make a Reality-on-the-Norm [http://ron.the-underdogs.info/] game - most of the graphics you're going to need are already made and available for you to use.

Don't leap headfirst into a mod kit - and if you do, don't leap into Source; it's extremely user-unfriendly. If you want to do mods, start off with something simpler like Unreal or Quake.
 

Nimbus

Token Irish Guy
Oct 22, 2008
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D_987 said:
MGG=REVIEWS said:
You know as i am in my second year in high school, teacher was telling us that we should prepare for our job for when we leave and i want to be come a game designer and hopefully be creating my own game ideas within years after but I don't know where to start,
with the price crunch thing money is a tight subject, so does anyone know any game software that will teach me and maybe let me create my own games?
Sorry to be the one to explain (unless it already has)

But there are very few game design jobs out there, and only the best in the field will do.

First off, it is much harder and not usually very practical to create a game on your own. I also wish to get a job in the gaming industry, and as a result have created a few SDK mods, and am currently programming an RPG with XNA games studios. (In a team)

Its all completely down to what job you want.

NO company will ever hire a Games designer (which contrary to popular belief is NOT someone who sits around thinking up ideas for games) straight away. You will probably have to start out in QA (testing).

This is NOT usually(another myth) "fun", this is playing an alpha version of the game, finding bugs and what causes them. Would you really enjoy finding glitches In a game all day (unfinished versions) and writing down what causes them only for those glitches to be ignored?

The reason QA is so easy to get into is the number of applicants who think creating games is somehow like playing them. It can be a fun experience, but it can also be frustrating, difficult and stressful.

If you manage to graduate QA you'll need to excel, and build your skills - there are many options you could take - programming, art etc... many Lead Designers are writers, programmers, who must excel in all areas of their profession to code, draw, write etc..

If you want more in-depth information search for GameCareerGuide.com, all these comments are from the numerous information sites, blogs, articles etc..that I previously read about the industry.
Do people with University qualifications also have to start as testers? (Serious question)
 

Sensenmann

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Oct 16, 2008
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You will need:
Dark Basic Professional, Blitz 3D, XNA or C++ with Direct X 9 stuff for it
Blender, 3DS Max, Zbrush or Maya
GIMP, Photoshop or Paint.net
Audacity
A microphone


You will need to be able to think logically
You will need to have the determination to learn to use these on your own, until you can convince people to join you.
You will need to be able to stick to one idea
You will need to be able to design and come up with original ideas.
You might need to learn HLSL (making shaders)


It may also benefit to have a Level Editor of any game for prototyping.
It might be best to just join someone after learning to use a tool.


D_987 said:
MGG=REVIEWS said:
NO company will ever hire a Games designer (which contrary to popular belief is NOT someone who sits around thinking up ideas for games) straight away. You will probably have to start out in QA (testing).
Nope, you could also get a portfolio by working on a mod or indi game.
 

D_987

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Jun 15, 2008
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Nimbus said:
Do people with University qualifications also have to start as testers? (Serious question)
From what I've read, it varies - you might find a smaller company who gives you a chance, but most big name companies want previous experience. The QA thing is really about getting your foot in the door.

Its also depends on which Uni you went to, I'm from the UK, and apparently 95% of all Games degrees here are a joke, and arn't worth the time. I am looking at a Uni in Scotland which specializes in Games and has a fantastic reputation. I can't answer your question fully, sorry.
 

D_987

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Jun 15, 2008
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Sensenmann said:
Nope, you could also get a portfolio by working on a mod or indi game.
Yes, but unless it a vey good mod you probably won't get a look in. Plus most staff positions are announced to insiders before going public, so you have an advantage.
 

Theo Samaritan

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Jul 16, 2008
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MGG=REVIEWS said:
C++ i downloaded it before, it was abit hard to understand...kinda waired i know how to program website using HTML (basic) but don't know how to understand C++ language
Ok.

What I am going to tell you now may come as a shock and it may piss you off but if you are not told now, you may live in this world of yours forever.

If you think that knowing HTML is the passage to knowing code? hehehehHAHAHAHAH get real kid.

Game development is a hard bag, and hell alot of the people ten years or more older than you and studying the damn thing for their degree's still don't get it.

As predro hinted towards, you cannot do everything in a game by yourself. Even if you did, the areas which you fall down on could ruin the areas you are good at - if I made a game myself right now, conceptually it could possibly be brilliant and musically just as such, but graphically I would fail hard even at the most basic of things, and I would have no idea how in hell to code it.

And unfortunatly you can't look back at the c64 era for your inspiration because frankly, most of the one-man-only games were rip-offs of other games or just shite.

Sorry, I'm being a cynical and mildly evil git but its better you hear it now than later on. Learn pythagorus theorym (spelling is shot, dislexic -_-) and various other coding nonsence, then attempt to create a moving sphere soley in code. Once you have done that, decide if you really are ready for it.

On the flip side if you need a soundtrack I'm looking for a new project in between work...

[/cynicalbastard]
 

PedroSteckecilo

Mexican Fugitive
Feb 7, 2008
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I thought I was being pretty honest, you will likely need a team. Not many games get made with only one person at the helm.

And yes MGG, you should probably start with an easier to use program like Adventure Game Studio or one of the RPGmakers. That's what everyone I know has done. Or just become a very good Programmer or 3D Artist/Animator (I am acquainted (distantly) with the head animator for Mass Effect 2, he had to get relly good before Bioware would take him on).

Also occasionally companies LIKE Bioware or Obsidian will look for writers/designers and they usually want you to build them a short and complete 30 minute game using the Never Winter Nights that doesn't involve combat. That's the usual test for those two companies.
 

Good morning blues

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Sep 24, 2008
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D_987 said:
From what I've read, it varies - you might find a smaller company who gives you a chance, but most big name companies want previous experience. The QA thing is really about getting your foot in the door.
This is ridiculous. There is no reason to do QA if you want to develop video games aside from getting contacts. These companies want experience in your area of development, not doing QA. A portfolio is a much better way to get a job.
 

Nimbus

Token Irish Guy
Oct 22, 2008
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OK, maybe someone else can answer my questions. I am hoping to have a batchelors degree in Computer Science in about 5 years time, if all goes according to plan. Is that typically enough to break into the industry?