I have no experience what so ever programming anything,but i really want to make a 2d rpg. I already have a copy of c++ so should i start with that? And what should i use use to make the levels and sprites with? Basiclly all i need to know is what i should use to create a side scrolling 2d rpg? thkz

I don''t know if you should start with a 2d rpg for your first project, but that''s not what you asked.

There''s a lot of good beginner tutorials on this site in C/C++ so that''s probably your best bet. For a graphics API, you should check out DirectDraw, or the GDI if you''re keeping the game really simple.

For making the sprites, Photoshop is always good. I don''t use it myself, but I hear paint shop pro is good too.

For the levels, you''ll probably have to make your own tiled map editor. Storing the level as a big bitmap is generally a bad idea.

Have you determined what your target platform is?

Nothing personal, but, if you have *no* programming experience at all, I''d say you''re biting off quite a bit. I''m not saying you can''t do it; but, maybe a smaller, less complex project would suit you better for a while.

Typically, when someone starts out in their venture to be a game programmer their game gets so far and they stop - leaving the project unfinished. Then, they make revisions and start all over again making a more robust engine - and this is for experienced programmers.

I just don''t like to think that you''d get so far and quit because it got complicated quickly.

But, if your undaunted...

Read several of the books that are in the Book Review section of the site.
We''ll still be here when you''ve got more specific questions!

Good luck!!

yeah,i guess i should have been more clearer on my questions.
Since i don''t have any experience with c++ should i start out
making a simple pong or tetris game like everyone says(besides the 2d rpg i had in mind)?And i think i''ll use paint shop pro to create the sprites,is there anything else i need to know or have left out? thkz

I would suggest you study and learn C++ because there is alot to learn and even when you think you know it you still have more to learn. After you know C++ good then you can start working more into Windows API and after that DirectX or OpenGL depending on which one of those you are gonna use.

Making even just a 2D game takes alot of work and knowledge so study what you need to know before you start even working on making the game.

Yes, its sounds boring that you have to study and learn alot but if you dont you will pretty much never be able to make or even finish making the game.

I hope i didnt discourage you but this is kinda how it goes.

Just my little brain working its few cells

-> i don''t have any experience with c++ <-

Well, this could very much be a problem.

Have you ever made a console text-based game before? Even creating a pong game takes alot of know-how. You have to be able to use a graphics API, not to mention getting a window up and running.

Start off with just simple programs - not any games or anything. Get to KNOW the language...

be the ball, be the ball...na na na na na na na na na na

First off, Start here



Follower of the NFBS
(New For Beginners Standards)


It''s all you need

This site''s got your name written all over it, and best of all it''s free. Two problems, in order to really get anything out of it you need some programming experience, and the code is written in pretty much straight procedural C. If you have no idea what that means, you definately need to learn some plain old programming basics, but if you''re dedicated you can probably learn alot from the book and some supplementary tutorials.

Read both of these books

______________________________
[Free Books!] [Reference and Tutorials]
[For Beginners] [IGDA]
[OpenGL Tutorials] [Sourceforge]
[DirectX Tutorials] [Gamasutra]