Just a few general questions I hope someone can help me with: 1.) What is the definition of a "Game Engine" and how does it differ from the rest of the programming process? 2.) Why do some companies construct their own engines and others use existing engines? I assume you would have to pay to use an existing engine.. 3.) What is the most popular programming language for 3D games and why? Sorry for the barrage of questions (as you can see my technical knowledge is limited at best), but any answers would be appreciated.

A game engine is the technology that ''drives'' the game.. it loads the art, the sounds, and levels, then draws the characters, draws the levels, plays the sounds, processes user input.. etc..

The game itself consists of the art, the sounds etc..

The best language is c/c++

I think that the question about which language is best is arguable and will always be personal opinion (at least, unless a totally new super language which is technically better than any other, it is mostly opinion)

Yes, c/c++ is a great language and there is A LOT of software out there written in c/c+
However, choice of language depends on your current project.
For simplicity id choose Visual Basic, its so easy and you can gt results really fast...
For D games, i personally use DarkBASIC, its easy to learn (mostly) easy to use (provided you have a matrix editor) and runs smoothly with little effort
But then again, i read somewhere that BlitzBASIC is also good for games...
Still... other than all those BASIC variations, the only other good language for games programming ive come accross is c++

The reason why i argue that c++ is not the best language is oly because my c++ skills are as basic as you can get, i cant see myself programming a 3D game in it,
BUT intend o spend some time learning it.
I am getting myself a copy of "Tricks of the windows game programming gurus"
and one r two other titles, i going to print some online tutoriakls and article, ill get myself a good compiler (i have one, but if theres a better one ill upgrade) and ill get myself a copy of the latest DirectX stuff (im slightly out of date...)
The if i nee, ill download textures & images etc and sounds, then sometime over th next year ill be programming games in c++

Im usually a fast learner, i have a lot of spare time at school (ideal for reading tutorials) and seeing as my main interest is gmes programming, ill go for it


Im rambling on and on and n amnt i?
Id better stop and go to bed its (very) late... again..

just to expand on AP reply..

1.) What is the definition of a "Game Engine" and how does it differ from the rest of the programming process?

Game engines typicaly are compiled from a number of sub "engines"...file management, graphics, sounds/music, scripting engine, input/control engine...the list goes on...but at the heart of it all...a game engine is just the support code for the gameplay...
Through things like scripting a single game engine can be reused for a variety of different games in a variety of genres...for example there was a scripting mod some time ago that allowed the Quake engine to be used for a 2D sidescroller type game.

2.) Why do some companies construct their own engines and others use existing engines? I assume you would have to pay to use an existing engine..

To develop a state-of-the-art game engine from scratch takes a lot of time, money, research, and even experimentation...and with each new engine...the perverbial "bar is raised"...many game companies cannot afford to spend the time to develop such engines (and all the bug fixing that new technology brings into play)...
Given both the meens and the choice...spending $500,000 for a game engine license now, or employing a team of game engine programmers for a few years (averaged combined salaries for 10 game programers would eaqual around $500,000...for one year) ...many companies opt for the quick turn around by buying the license
Other companies like id software are well known for thier game engines...even though they basicly develop the same game with each new engine....

3.) What is the most popular programming language for 3D games and why?

Machine language!...sorry couldn''t resist
C/C++ is currently the game programing language of choice...why? Well C was designed primarily as a systems programing language for Operating Systems and such low level software...as such it is a very powerfull language...C++ is a extention of the language (something like a sequl) that adds a lot of usefull Object Oriented (OO) functionality among other things...

OO is the current "uber" programing paradime (about every 20 years or so, someone comes up with a better programing idea...that everyone is, more or less, directed to follow)...it allows code to be easily re-used, modified, and expanded...It''s great for large complex games(Diablo), but can be overkill for small short games(Pong)...like all usefull programing techniques, it can just as easily be abused..

Thanks for the replies everyone-they''ve been really helpful