Hey guys,
I'm very interested getting into game development when I am older.
And I would like to make my own game.

What are some good programs I could use to make games using java or c++ language?

make games using java or c++ language?

Those are just languages. You need at least a compiler and an IDE. You also need to use a graphics and sound API ....or use an existing engine/game maker tool.

RonDonRon, on 28 Oct 2013 - 11:47 PM, said:


make games using java or c++ language?



Those are just languages. You need at least a compiler and an IDE.

What are some good programs I could use to make games using java or c++ language?

I believe RonDonRon was asking about compilers and such. At least that was what I gathered with the "what are some good programs I could use" portion.

At minimum, I'd say some editor, be it something like Notepad, GEdit, or one built into an IDE, as well as a compiler for the language you choose. For both of your languages, Eclipse comes to mind. If you just wish to use one of those languages, look through the downloads list on the Eclipse website. It's free to use.

Depending on what kind of game you want to make, you will need to find some sort of graphics library and audio library. For C++, SDL, SFML, and Allegro could be potential options. I haven't messed with Java in quite a while, but I'm sure when you do decide, you can ask a more pointed question on here about the libraries. My advice is take manageable steps, doing a few programs using the terminal/command line before you dive into graphics and windowed programs. Once you get a grasp of the language, then get your feet wet with the rest.

Something you could also look into straight away are game creation tools like Game Maker. They do impose limits on what can be done but it can be a good way to quickly get some results and they generally come with some sort of scripting language you can muck around with to learn some of the basic concepts.

I have used gamemaker before and i have also made some flash games.

any good tutorials i could look at for visual studio to make a game engine?

I have used gamemaker before and i have also made some flash games.

any good tutorials i could look at for visual studio to make a game engine?

This may sound harsh, but I'm going to recommend against everything in the second line quoted above. Here's my rationale, piece-by-piece:

1. Tutorials. These are fine, particularly for beginners and for very specific subject matter. However, I've noticed that beginners tend to over-rely on the tutorial format. Tutorials have plenty to recommend them, but they tend to prevent learners from really thinking about what they're doing. This is the opposite of what is needed to be a good programmer. Far, far better is to focus on learning the basics of your chosen language and making small things (ideally with minimal use of tutorials) and decide for yourself how your software should be structured based on your knowledge and experience. There are a ton of tutorials on the internet. There are far fewer that are worth your time, and you are unlikely to be able to tell the difference at this point.

2. Visual Studio is a minor piece of the puzzle. There are plenty of "get to know Visual Studio" types of videos and articles out there, so have a look at them to become familiar with the IDE. However, the particulars of the Visual Studio environment have very little to do with producing a game, or any other sort of software. If you limit your research to demonstrations in Visual Studio, as opposed to information in your chosen language generally, you will have a harder time finding stuff that you're trying to do. Code written in Visual Studio will look the same as code scribbled out in Notepad.

3. You'll hear this expression often: "Make games, not engines." When beginners say "game engine", they mean "the stuff I need to make a game". When others hear "game engine", they hear "a piece of software with defined functionality that can be used to create games within the constraints of the engine's design", or something like that. As a beginner, you aren't equipped to make a game engine in the sense of a flexible piece of software that can be applied generally to different game projects. Your focus, instead, should be on creating the individual pieces needed to create your game, one at a time, as needed to add each additional feature.

The project you've got in mind is far bigger, more complicated, and more difficult than you are probably imagining. I say that not because I know anything about you, but because that's just about always the case for people just starting out. Have a look around here, there's a good amount of information that you can use to get started.