I know your laughing at me but I''m not joking. I''m 18 and I really want to start learing how to make games, but the subject is so vast I''m having trouble finding out exeactly HOW to start. I initially started from the business perspective of the whole thing by preparing a business plan and mapping out a company that could just hire professionals under a well toned system, but I quickly found that I had to educate my self with some of the technical aspects of the industry and probably work under an existing company to make my life dream happen, so that''s what I plan to do, so for the last monthg or so I''ve been floating around pondering different postions to shoot for and I''ve finally decided on Game designer. Then I was again confronted with the fact that I''ll have to learn everything else before I can effectivly do this lol, so I narrowed the task even further down to learing how to program and make a game. My search has lead me to this forum and it''s articles I''ve read over and over and I''m still stuck on where and how to start. The most I''ve done is obtained a copy or 3D studio Max and C++ with no instruciton, tutorial or mentor lol so now my question is simple, Has anyone of you once been in my situation? And if so could you please HELP ME? lol I don''t care how small a thing you could tell me , as long as it''s somthing relevant, or even somthing I might want to consider, it will be one step ahead for me, I don''t ever plan on giving up , I WILL have my own video game company some day so even if the work is daunting I''ll be willing to do it, I just need a little guidance in the right direction. thank you -Sage13

The most used language these days is C++, so I recommend you learn that. When you say you''ve obtained a copy of C++, what do you mean? C++ is a language. Have you gotten a compiler? If so, it still wont teach you much. I suggest you pickup a good book on the language (something like Teach Yourself C++ in 21 days is good), and read it through. After you''ve done that, if you want to start making simple windows games, and use DX, then a good book is Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus. It will teach you the basics of windows programming and all you need to know to make a 2d game using directx.
Hope this helps.

Thanx!!

Oh and I have a CD that says C++ don''t ask me what it dose, somebody just gave it to me.

But I''m going to find and get those two book tommorow.

thanx once again

-Sage13

Try the coronado enterprises tutorials on my site they''re what I used to leanr c and c++.

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If you''re lacking in a compiler try dev c++ www.bloodshed.net its pretty good.

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ok thanx, what''s the addy to Cornado enterprises tutorial?

peace

-Sage13

They''re on my homepage.

My Homepage


Visit my forums

One of the hardest things you'll have to teach yourself to do is applying what you learn in books and tutorials. I haven't even mastered it myself. Especially when you're first starting C++, ya gotta get used to the syntax of the language, so when you learn about something, go make a couple programs that utilize it. That way, you'll be able to use it on your own.

Also, until you learn how to program in C++ a little, don't try to make the next Quake. If you can't make a pong clone in DOS C++, you're probably not ready for Windows programming.

Have you found out if you have a compiler yet? Is it for windows or dos? There are a few free dos C++ compilers out there. If you've got hard drive space and either alot of time or a high-speed internet connection, you can go download DJGPP (I think that's what it's called). It's a pretty good compiler and I think the original quake was made on it. That's just what I heard anway. Once you get a basic grasp of the language, (it might take some time. Took me years =)) you may want to try Allegro. It's a free graphics library which means it'll let you create games easier (still not very easy). But, again, don't try this out until you know how C++ works.

If you're serious about this, you may wanna try to see if your school offers any C++ classes during or after school. The teacher will (he should anyway) help alot.

I'm sure you've heard this a million times, but for programming, it's really true. DON'T GIVE UP! If you don't understand something now, just give it some time. I'm sure you'll grasp it eventually.

Man, I feel like a million people have said exactly what I just have. This same question is asked every month, and now you have to hear my version of it, and my version sucks. This place REALLY needs a section that contains all the really nice posts. And some people blame the newbies for asking the question. It's not the new people's fault. If any GameDev.net staff read this, could you please try to put together a section that will contain the real "gems" in the message board. You know em when you see em. This isn't one of em. It's one of those that you read then say, "Wow, he's good." I guess that's what the faq's supposed to be for, but it's not really helping. Ok, I'm going off on a tangent now. If you're still reading this Mr. New Person, good luck in your journey to the top, and be sure to come to this site alot. It's one of the best.

Edited by - Ronald Forbes on November 14, 2000 4:57:07 PM

Thanx so much, I WON''T Ever give up, I never have it''s my life goal and I''ll work every day toward it, always think about it and totally submerge myself in it, I WILL be one of hte greatest, and thank you for your help, all of you, this is hte type of guidance I need and like you said proably all beginners.

-Sage13

If you''re prepared to put the money into Tricks of the windows game programming guru''s by LaMothe(book mentioned earlier), you will get the introductory version of visual C++ with it, which is a fine compiler to start on. Though totwgpg teaches some slightly out of date info (dx6... now we have Dx8 which changed quite a bit)it''s still a great learning book, after you know C++ itself. IMHO it''s probably better to actually learn a version of directX previous to dx8, as dx8''s "cut" DirectDraw...

J2xC (J. Connolly)

"w0ot" - Firahs
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