Game Studio/Game Programming Kit 5.0
I want to know if getting the Game Programming Kit 5.0 is worth it. I think it comes with Game Studio. I downloaded the demo version of Game Studio and it seems pretty powerful for a fifty dollar program. What I want to know if it is worth getting or should I just save for the more popular 3DS Max and a nice terrain creator like Bryce 5 (or can 3DSMAX do terrain?)? I''m going to be a programmer ''cause my artistic talents aren''t very powerful. I also want to be using the same software (or at least a compatible one) as everyone that will work in my makeshift group after I finish this C++ book (if I finish, I still need to do the exercises from chapter 2-6).
Midnight Gaming - www.midnightgaming.com
Just a little thought of mine..
No clue what''s in that kit, but if you want to do the real thing start with learning c++ and learn some API''s (OpenGL, directx etc), also invest in a good compiler (MSVC) and read more books and ask lots and lots of questions. I doubt you''ll ever be a good game programmer with such a kit, you may get pretty results in a short timespan, but you can''t do more than getting the max out of such a kit while your options are limitless if you learn c++ etc.
No clue what''s in that kit, but if you want to do the real thing start with learning c++ and learn some API''s (OpenGL, directx etc), also invest in a good compiler (MSVC) and read more books and ask lots and lots of questions. I doubt you''ll ever be a good game programmer with such a kit, you may get pretty results in a short timespan, but you can''t do more than getting the max out of such a kit while your options are limitless if you learn c++ etc.
Ignorance is bliss but some people are just stupid.
February 27, 2002 11:35 PM
I believe that kit comes with Lamonthe''s ''Tricks ...Windows Game Programming..." book. If it does, then its well worth it.
I think it also comes with the intro version of MSVC.
I''d stay away from Game Studio if I were you. You won''t learn how to program using it.
I think it also comes with the intro version of MSVC.
I''d stay away from Game Studio if I were you. You won''t learn how to program using it.
I had them send it to me to review. I haven''t really dug into it yet, but I can at least tell you what it includes:
To me, VC++ is the most valuable thing in the package. If you don''t mind reading TotWGPG on CD (or printing it out), then it''s a good edition as well. The other elements are nice extras, but other than Sages (which only retails for about $15-20, at least for the previous versions), they don''t add much value to the package, IMO.
Overall, I''d say that if you''re a total beginner, don''t have a compiler, and don''t mind reading Tricks on CD, you might consider picking this up. On the other hand, Tricks *also* comes with the same version of VC++, for about the same overall price (maybe even a bit cheaper). I guess it just depends on whether you''d rather have the extras, or Tricks in actual book format.
- Game Studio 5.12 Standard. As far as I can tell, it''s the full version. As the others have said, if you''re trying to become a game programmer, this won''t help you much, but it''s kinda fun to play with.
- Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0, Introductory Edition. The only problem with the Intro edition is that, AFAIK, you can''t distribute anything you make with it, but it''s good for learning.
- Game Design: Secrets of the Sages, Third Edition. I liked the two previous editions. They weren''t must-have books, but they''re interesting.
- DirectX 8.0 SDK. Saves you the download time, but I''m not sure why they used 8.0 and not 8.1.
- Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus on the CD. Obviously, this is a highly recommended book, but the fact that it''s on CD in this package limits the value of the package somewhat.
To me, VC++ is the most valuable thing in the package. If you don''t mind reading TotWGPG on CD (or printing it out), then it''s a good edition as well. The other elements are nice extras, but other than Sages (which only retails for about $15-20, at least for the previous versions), they don''t add much value to the package, IMO.
Overall, I''d say that if you''re a total beginner, don''t have a compiler, and don''t mind reading Tricks on CD, you might consider picking this up. On the other hand, Tricks *also* comes with the same version of VC++, for about the same overall price (maybe even a bit cheaper). I guess it just depends on whether you''d rather have the extras, or Tricks in actual book format.
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