Beginning Game Development - Developers

I have recently decided that I want to get into game development, but I feel that asking people who have done things like this for a while could be very beneficial to me. I want to start small (as anyone new should) with something like Tetris or a similar simple game. What software should I use to make this/future games? What language is the best to learn for now and the future? Is Tetris a good start? Should I skip the visual game and do something with text? I want to do some simple games by myself and eventually work with my friend who is getting into the whole 'art' side of gaming (modelling mostly). Answering any of the questions would make me grateful, thanks guys. [editline]12:09AM[/editline] Wow, I'm a loser. I didn't see the post at the top. :( Nevermind.

I would say start with text based games.

Thanks for your input.

Even something a simple as tetris or pong will be very difficult for a beginner. If you don't have a good attention span, then don't waste your time trying to do this. It will take a good few months (even with huge time commitments) before you know enough about a language (such as java, c/c++, c#) to be able to write your own competent code, and have enough understanding to use a library (and it's API). Personally I would reccomend that you find yourself a good c++ book, such as: [code] Accelerated C++ Practical Programming by Example by Andrew Koenig and Barbara E. Moo ISBN 0-201-70353-X [/code] And use this as your learning aid, it will teach you c++ and good practises, as well as teaching you how to use the standard library which will be invaluable later on. With just the knowledge of this book you should be able to write a text-based game. Then you should be ready to learn a graphics API, such as SFML or SDL, and then from there create your first basic game. A good example of this is to do noughts and crosses (tic-tac-toe) as you will learn about mouse/keyboard input, displaying graphics and text, basic collisions etc. Programming is not something you learn overnight. (Also when chooseing an [b]I[/b]ntegrated [b]D[/b]evelopment [b]E[/b]nvironment, it's best to either use Code::Blocks or Visual Studio, it might be worth giving both a try to see which one you like more)

XNA is supposed to be good for just putting simple games together, but you probably won't learn more than C# syntax and how to use the XNA classes.

I would recommend starting with C# and XNA. If you are having trouble with that, then take a step back and try something easier like Game Maker/MMF/Construct.

I actually find C++ and SFML simpler. Probably just me. :\

Game maker is good for beginner stuff. I remember old 2D games with it.

Game Maker is one of the dumbest things ever. Not that much flexibility. But thanks to Mattz333, I will try to get that book. Yes, I have a good attention span for something I like and I since actually trying to learn something I have put in 8 hours since last night. I will ALWAYS try to get at least 2 hours a day into it, more on the weekend. I'm already liking what I have done, and I'm not a person who looks at his stuff and thinks, thats crap compared to what *game developer* is making (even though it is crap)! I am proud of what I have done, but I won't submit anything until some of my friends thinks it's fun. xD

Love (lua) and pygame (python) are where I'd point a beginner personally. Preferably love since lua is the greatest language ever.

[url]http://www.aaroncox.net/tutorials/[/url] Old, but useful tutorials here. Covers 3 basic games in the arcade section - pong, tetris, and breakout. Best from-scratch-to-game tutorial I've ever read. Taught me how to handle game states and stuff. Worth a look.

Also, if you happen to have a college nearby, most college libraries have a free book drop. I've found that there will often be unwanted copies of official C++ and C# textbooks lying around, and those could help a ton. School textbooks aren't always great, but it's somewhere to look if you haven't already spent money on it.

Thanks, robowurmz. That website looks very helpful when I start getting graphical. I'm excited. Olothontor, that's a good idea, I'll probably do that.

Don't expect to get of the ground running, it will take a while to grasp the basics. Personally I always found python very easy to work with, even for game programming with pygame, that's me though. Don't start with c++, you wont reach your goal for a good long while.

[QUOTE=DarkSpirit05er;22147799]I actually find C++ and SFML simpler. Probably just me. :\[/QUOTE] I do too. Probably because I like C syntax a little bit more though.