Ok here''s the scoop, like so many other people, I to would like to get into game programming. I feel I have a strong background in programming because I have completed my CS degree. However, my degree plan covered nothing in the way of game programming or even AI. The main game genre I want to concentrate on is sports based simulator games (i.e. FrontOfficeFootball). I do not want to learn graphics programming, I want to concentrate on the meat of the game. My question is, what is the best way about learning this type of programming? Books? If so which Books? For instance in sports based simulators what dictates the action? Any information and or guiding would be appreciated. Trust me, I know this will be a LONG process, but I would like to get started in the right way. Can you show me the way?

Hey, i dont want to flame you ....


But, you told us that you have obtain your CS degree ...

Think, think, thinking .... Bad thing...

I''d never went to school in programming, game programmin or even a computer class... But i''ve do alot of game ...

And, i do over $8k a month... with programming ...

But, i cannot understand that you''re unable to do a study of waht you want, sorry !!


Designing is the key to sky !!


LowRad

Obviously you are going to have to buy some books and software, you''ll need C++ and directX or OpenGl, most likly anyway. That will start you off. Get books that have to do with those to get you going make a few simple games, then make a simple 2d football game first you have to slowly work your way up, and 90% of the work must be done by you. (trial and error, code and recode, debug and debug some more). Good Luck from one beginner to another.

Well.. I don''t know what a CS degree is (probably Computer Science), but if want to get into game porgramming "in the big way", then you gonna have to try getting a job in some game developers studio... Or you could roll through the net and learn with what a few million people have to say (but this will never garantee any success, you''ll have to work your ass right down to the bone)...

Oh, and above all don''t feel discouraged, it justs slow you down, it''ll never stop you...

Useful tips:
- well you''re not intrested in graphics... change that idea, the graphic presentation is also important (even if it''s just a small, ugly, badly drawn, pixelated blob running around the screen, it''s still a small, ugly, pixellated blob running around the screen) you won''t need a truly in depth knowledge, but knowing how to put a blob on the screen is important for any game, except MUD...

- check out the AI Forum, sections with papers submitted previosly on this site, don''t forget Gamasutra.com or Flipcode.com and Mr-Gamemaker.com also has a lot of useful stuff...