Well that would be fine, because I love first person shooters, but I also want to lean to code, and I hear torque isnt begginer friendly, so that wouldnt help me much.

Quote: Original post by Major Payne
Well that would be fine, because I love first person shooters, but I also want to lean to code, and I hear torque isnt begginer friendly, so that wouldnt help me much.

Sorry, but there's no such thing as a 'beginner-friendly' 3D game engine. Perhaps some frameworks are easier to use than others, but without at least tentative knowledge of 3d graphics and a programming language to boot you aren't going to get very far. If you buy the book mentioned above, it eases you into Torque using TorqueScript rather than C++, which is about as close to beginner-friendly as you can get.

Want a suggestion? Probably not, but I'm going to make it anyway ;) Take a step back, and forget about 3D game engines for now. I understand the eagerness to get going, but information overload slows down the learning process. Take it in steps - get some programming fundamentals and general game theory down first before diving into 3D. I'm of the belief that it doesn't matter which language you learn first (there have been endless debates about the 'best' first language, and I say there isn't one), and I suggest you pick up two books.

The first book I recommend is 'Python Programming for the Absolute Beginner' by Michael Dawson. The second is 'Game Programming with Python' by Sean Riley. Python is an easy-to-learn, easy-to-use language. With the first book, you should be able to hit the ground running. This will prepare you for the second book which is an excellent introduction to game programming concepts (with a focus on 2D). Both of these books should allow you to see results very quickly - an important morale booster.

Yes, Python and C++ are very different beasts. But computer science is the heart of all programming languages. The difference lies in syntax and features. I can't promise that learning Python will make C++ easier to learn. How you deal with the syntax and specific features of C++ is dependent entirely upon your ability to digest and understand new information. But you should be able to take away some fundamental concepts that will make the path at least smoother. And Python, IMO, makes the learning experience more fun.

you have to know quite a bit of C++ before diving into an engine like that, however if youre willing to spend $100 bucks on the engine, you can look at a piece of code and figure out what it does as a way of learning. That would be nice.

I bought the Torque engine several months ago, and I have to say, I was disappointed. They practicly hide the core classes from you in the build. It was very difficult to read through and gain a good understanding of. If it was as cleanly organized as the OGRE engine, I would have been much happier. I definitely do not recommend the torque engine for a beginer at programming. Gain a good understanding of c++ first, and you will find it much easier to start programming games. I would also recommend avoiding the path of learning c++ through game programming books, as it will ultimately give you an akward view of the language, and make it hard to grow more adept at programming (I say this with plenty of experience in learning c++ in wrong ways). Anyway, I really don't mean to discourage you, I just suggest that you learn to program first, before tackling game developement. Good luck!

Genesis 3D, though old is free and has lots of resources available.

Also check out Reality Factor(it uses Genesis, provides a higher level I think and they work on the actual engine too).

I say cube engine. The code is very easy to read and understand. :)

Oh yeah, and it's free.

Quote: Original post by Epidemi
Torque is well worth every penny...

If you're afraid of it being too hard for a newbie, then buy the book 3D Game Programming All In One (it includes a demo of Torque; you can also download a demo from garagegames.com). That will give you a kickstart.

Seconded, I've just bought the book and it's great. It actually gives you a full precompiled binary version of Torque that you are allowed to use for personal use (paying $100 gets you the source and allows you to sell your game). You program your game using TorqueScript, which is a pretty powerful scripting language.

This sounds like exactly what you need if you've no experience with C++ as the other engines people have mentioned require some knowledge in that area (except for Reality Factory).


An alternative approach might be something like Blitz3D and/or the book Game Programming for Teens.

Might as well reveal my secret befor I post this in another topic.

http://irrlicht.sourceforge.net/

I`m using this to build a game to put in my profolio. I must warn tho, heavy use of C++ is required. However, its free, and basicaly it gives you all the complext functions of Videogame Fuctions without having the tedious prossess building them from scrach. Collision Detection, Loading Graphics, Menues, Controls, all you realy have to do is call them up and give the proproties. Check it out.

Oh, and I sugest geting this fat book called the "C++ Premire Guid". It has virtualy everything you need to know about C++ and all its fuctions, variables, OOP Commands, and more.

Quote: Original post by Sidepocket Pro
Might as well reveal my secret befor I post this in another topic.

http://irrlicht.sourceforge.net/

I`m using this to build a game to put in my profolio. I must warn tho, heavy use of C++ is required. However, its free, and basicaly it gives you all the complext functions of Videogame Fuctions without having the tedious prossess building them from scrach. Collision Detection, Loading Graphics, Menues, Controls, all you realy have to do is call them up and give the proproties. Check it out.

Oh, and I sugest geting this fat book called the "C++ Premire Guid". It has virtualy everything you need to know about C++ and all its fuctions, variables, OOP Commands, and more.

Irrlicht is sweat! I have been playing with it all night and I haven't had a a problem with anything so far. I was basically up and running in about 10 minutes.