Here is how I figured out how to program games:

My first games were text oriented (like mud''s) they would allow me to organize data structures to they way I wanted.

From there I tried writing games that used Graphics, but just basic symbols. Sort of like the battle sequences in Pokemon or Dragon Warrior. Nothing fancy just the basics to learn how to display stuff.

The next step was to do tile engine games.

Finally if your daring try doing 3d stuff. Where I am currently stuck. I can''t seem to get my 3ds models to ever load correctly =(.

I hope this helps.

PS. As a good ego builder I did 2 or 3 games of each type. It''s nice to complete a project, and feel like your improving with each game you write. As opposed to the neverending uncomplete blob you call a project!

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Original post by Martee

No! You're all wrong!
The absolute best thing to do is to start with an RPG!

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On one hand you might be considered right by some people's standards: most text adventures are indeed RPGs, but the fact is I don't like RPGs. Notice I said I would start with a short quiz game or something-- not a text adventure. If you're going to learn how to program a game, you might as well start with a genre that you actually like. I don't like RPGs so I will not start with one.

quote:

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Original posts by MicahJon and Pik

PONG!

What better first game than the first game!

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Actually Pong was NOT the first video game. It was only the first one to really gain true popularity. Just to let you know.

Edited by - Some Guy on February 15, 2001 6:02:07 PM

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Original post by multitap

Actually the first game ever was played in ancient times by the first people of earth, the barbarians. They''d punch each other to see how could cause the most pain. However I doubt that would be much of a computer game.

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Yes it would-- it''s called Mortal Kombat.

To be honest whatever game you first write depends on the skill level you feel comfortable with. Learning directX and windows programming is liable to make you feel like banging your head with a large blunt instrument, e.g. a frozen block of cheddar or perhaps a galvinised mallet if you have one handy. If you are really looking at a first game you may need to stick to something simple and text based. Hangman, noughts and crosses, whatever. I know whatever people answer by human nature you will ignore all advice and do your own thing anyway. Probably attempting a bomberman clone or something. If you need a place to start and want something that is reasonable to use, you might want to look at http://www.talula.demon.co.uk/allegro for the simple to use game programming library available there. Its not for 3d and it uses a dos programming style, it will run under windows and there is plenty of support documentation. It is also on the verge of its fourth incarnation too I believe. If you want to try graphics I think pong is good idea, a circle and a line and a few basic rules. If you feel adventurous you can even make it into a breakout clone.

The BEST game to start out making would have to be Quake 3. If you prefer RPGs than make Ever Quest. heh no really, i think some one''s first game should be pong. It was my first game and it was not real hard, but it wasnt very easy. Well now to me it is but at the time it wasnt. Pong is very simple, yet its perfect to understand the basics of how a game runs. After that i would say a more advanced pong. Like breakout or some other variation. Then i think that is the time games like tetris and what-not should be attempted. Well anyway theres my 2 pesos, or is that cents. Maybe yen? hehe

-SirKnight

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Original post by SirKnight

The BEST game to start out making would have to be Quake 3.

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Bad joke.

Edited by - Some Guy on February 15, 2001 9:34:56 PM

The first real game I made was for the Apple ][c in BASIC. It was 5 bugs (real graphics even, not ASCII) moving back and forth across the screen at varying speeds. You had to use the joystick to avoid them and get to the top of the screen.

Ben
http://therabbithole.redback.inficad.com

I''m writing a tetris clone right now for my band. The very first game I made was a tic-tac-toe game using ascii characters. Then I made 2 rpg''s (which were REALLY crappy) using BGI graphics in Borland C++ 5.0. Now I''m coding the tetris clone in Direct X. It''s actually harder than one would think. I''d suggest doing pong first, then tetris if you want. And whatever you do, FINISH WHAT YOU START! But that''s just my opinion, I can easily be wrong

Now Some Guy, was that comment about my post really needed? I think not. If you didnt like my joke then just dont say anything about it.

-SirKnight

hi
board/card/puzzle/logic games are a good thing for learning the
game logic, then pong is better for some realtime action stuff,
pacman is good for both action and AI, then some simple 3d engine
and...
You see game programming has too many aspects to work with, each
game genre focuses on some of them. There is no exact path to
learn GP, just write different kinds of games and you''ll be
a guru.

--MFC (The Matrix Foundation Crew)