Does anyone know anything about it? Is it some sort of hack language for those that can''t really program? is it worth the time to get? does it produce quality programs ( assuming the programmer writes quality code )?

hi aztec. I remember downloading a small water racing program that was a demo of darkbasic, and was pretty impressed. If you primarily are just interested in game DESIGN as opposed to programming, then I think game creation languages are a good idea. Obviously, the graphics won''t be cutting edge-- but nowadays, even low end graphics can still evoke a sophisticated mood.

If your just interested in design, and don''t care about the language, there''s another game system the just came out, that has graphics more akin to Quake and Unreal. It comes with it''s own editor and stuff. It''s called 3d Game Studio, and I think they have a demo of it at [link] www.3dfiles.com [\link].

I think you can release quality programs with anything, if you use it well. Some people release apps using things like Director and stuff. Think of Shockwave games on the internet. I don''t think the people that make these small games think of themselves as "hack''s" and niether should you, if you don''t go for a low level language like c++.

Ahem. On the other hand...

C and C++ are the languages of choice now, basically. It''s fast, efficient, and gives you a lot of control. The simple fact is, code line for code line, c will basically leave basic in the dust as far as speed. The cost is having to implement a bunch of stuff yourself, as well as a greater frequency of bugs.

Basically, if you want so showcase a design, or have game with reletively low tech/speed requirements, you could use DarkBasic or some other game creation thing. If anything, it''s good for learning about program architecture and dev cycles and all that, without having to muck about with low-level system stuff. Who knows? A lot of people predict that things like DarkBasic will be the future of game development, where one company does the engine technology, and developers like you do that actual game.

Good Luck, and sorry for the long post.

SH

Actually, the name says it, it''s a Basic interpreter that lets you create DX projects in almost a flash. It is good to use if you need to get a quick demo out. ( Oh and for all those that will try to flame me telling me that I don''t know what I''m talking about, I actually have the CD ). Keep in mind though that it''s not a compiled language. What it really does is prepend an interpreter to your source and gives you and executable. So, it''s really up to you to make your decision. BTW, it''s a fast learn if you know a bit or programming already...

Anyhow, hope this helps.


Cyberdrek
Headhunter Soft
DLC Multimedia

GUYS look in the archives, there was a huge discussion on this subject just a week ago.

DARKBASIC = a point and click method of building a game. The game will be a cookie cutter type FPS written in a weird form of BASIC. It is really for those who dont know how to program, or dont want to know how, but wish to see what its like...


It will not help you hone your programming or design skills, as it is a COOKIE CUTTER template basically. If you want to make commercial level, or even somewhat customized unique games that you can stamp your name on, use c++ or VB even. Dont get one of those rubber stamp systems, like Dark Basic.



to Code, or Not To Code

It''s purpose is FPS''s and racing games. It is basically a thing for clueless newbies. It also runs damn slow on my computer. 8 frames/sec on an FPS which has the detail of Quake I and is utilising full hardware acceleration. This is true. I don''t think it is very useful. Don''t say I''m lying either, I downloaded all of the demos to see if it was a one-off, but it wasn''t. They all run damn slow on a 450 MHz K6-II with a Trident Cyberblade AGP video card. At that detail level. To have something with detail equivalent to Q3A you would need three 1GHz processors in paralell and 3 TnL accelerated GFX cards in paralell to get any sort of performance (well, that is an exaggeration, but not too far from the truth). Well, I''ll shut up now. Use it if you really want.

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sharewaregames.20m.com

cxi2 said:

quote:
It will not help you hone your programming or design skills, as it is a COOKIE CUTTER template basically. If you want to make commercial level, or even somewhat customized unique games that you can stamp your name on, use c++ or VB even. Dont get one of those rubber stamp systems, like Dark Basic.

That''s exactly what I said. Except for the part to use VC++ or VB. Hmmm... And you''re telling us to read the other thread... Also, I was merely replying myself to the email and had no clue that there was already a thread about DB going on. I will not spend my time looking if other threads about the same topic exist before replying to one.






Cyberdrek
Headhunter Soft
DLC Multimedia

From what I''ve heard, Darkbasic

DOES NOT

work in Windows 2K.

Well, I have the demo, and my opinon is its really good to churn out low-grade games and for screwing around with for kicks.
Personally I don`t like the BASIC language, aside of speed considarations, so i`m a tad biased.
However, I think that learning how to actually code from the ground up is a WHOLE lot more useful. Like taking qbasic and making a 3d wireframe program will teach you more than doing a DB FPS.
Personally, I`m using quickC to learn my graphics stff on, and it works pretty good.
~V''lion

I came, I saw, I got programmers block.
~V''lion