I''ve got a friend that want to learn to make games, but his final goal it''s not to make the best of the best type of games. He just wants to make action rpg Terranigma like. He has tried rpg maker 2000 but as you may know, you can make action rpgs with it. The thing is to keep the making as easy as posible. So the question is, is there any game maker that doesn''t involve programming that let''s you make action rpgs? and if you don''t any of these, which programming languaje do you think he should learn?

I''ve heard of RPG maker but I don''t know much about it or programs like it. I can''t help you there.

If he has to learn programming instead I would advise keeping it as simple as possible, and maybe pick something oriented specifically towards games. Dark Basic or Blitz Basic for example. I''ve also heard good things about a library called pygame, for the Python language. SDL is another game programming library (in fact it''s the basis for pygame) that can be used with many different languages.

If anyone tells you to use C or C++, and plenty of people here often do, don''t listen to them. Those languages aren''t well suited to what you''re trying to do, they''re very complex and will be a pain.

Thanks!

Well actually I''m a C++ programmer myself but you are right, I think my friend should not use it and have a hard time, and I wasn''t sure about which way he could go. I think I''ll advise him into Dark Basic or Blitz Basic.

I will have to disagree with Dobbs on this one.

The beauty of C++, and most programming languages, is they can be built upon themselves to become rather high level, for example, becoming scripting languages.

I have not worked with any game makers, but I would encourage you to learn to program, or use your skills in programming on an engine.

What engine you ask? Well, I have written an engine specifically for people like you. Made for 2D, and for EASE. I am attemtping to make game programming MUCH easier for the average person, so that game creation is no longer such a technical ordeal, but more of an artform.

Don''t get me wrong, it requires some ingenuity to use, as all programming engines do, however, I have some very nice tutorials written, as well as I am online almost all of the time for real time support. If you are interested, you can reach me on AOL Instant Messenger. My screen name is ArmySarj .

Hope to hear from ya soon,

--Vic--

I reccomend C++ or BASIC. If he doesn''t know much about computers, he should learn BASIC. If he wants to do it correctly, he should get C++. With C++, you can still script, and there are good gaming libraries like Allegro.

The Hobo King

I disagree with those who advocate learning C++. For serious programming it''s almost necessary (Java is good too) but for creating relatively simple games, it is certainly not mandatory. A Basic language is a good bet.

~CGameProgrammer( );
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Conclusion:

If you want to make bread of your skills, learn C++.
If it''s only like an afterschool-temporary-hobby, learn something else.

.lick