New Member, I want to make a RE style game

[caseypayne69]

Just thought I'd drop in this forum and get to know some people.
A little about me first:
I'm 27 years old, and I have a Bach in Accounting. I currently work at a CPA firm though I don't want a CPA for my self. My wife just had our first child, she weighed in at 8 lbs 8 ounces too.

I really would like to dip my feet in to game making. My wife nags me for getting an accounting degree since I love gaming so much. I just laugh and say with accounting maybe I can be a CEO or president of a gaming company. But I really would like to make my own game ah la like Resident Evil 1 remake. So I figured I start an account here since this place seams legit.

[Sol_HSA]

What kind of programming background do you have?
Have you made any games in the past?

Making games is the most difficult programming field imaginable. In most fields you are limited to certain specific area, but in games, you may end up tackling with all sorts of things, including, but not limited to, graphics, real-time rendering, audio, IO devices, physics, AI, networking and databases. Here be dragons!

On the other hand, making games can be the most fun and most rewarding area of programming. The thing is not to try to aim too high (at least you're not one of those who want to make MMORPG as the first thing) - if you haven't made any games in the past, which I'm assuming you haven't, try making some small 2d games first. Many of the principles you learn there will be needed in 3d games as well.

[caseypayne69]

No experience. But I figured 2d backgrounds with 3d character would be not easy but not to hard. For that kind of gaming, what engines should I look at. And what software works with these engines. Like what would I use to design the character etc?

[lefti]

Dear caseypayne,
I am also new at game programming so here is a newbie advise,

1) Learn a programming language, I sugest you learn c++ because, in my oppinion is the best to make any kind of game. Start learning this language at start and DONT learn programing from easy laguages to hard, thats because if you learn how to program in easy languages it would be very dificult to learn the hard ones.

2)Google for tutorials on how to make your own games.

For now I cant give you more advises but i hope that i helped.

-lefteris psitopoulos (lefpsi@yahoo.gr)

[SamuraiCrow]

You might want to start out with Python since it is easy enough to accomplish most tasks even though it is slower than C++. And to save time use a ready-made engine such as Panda3D. (It's listed in the 3D database on this site.)

The reason I'm contradicting Lefti's advice is that C++ is complicated enough to bring an inexperienced programmer to their knees and cause him to beg for mercy. Python is simple enough but powerful enough to actually allow you to succeed.

-edit-
Sol_HSA's advice is good advice too. If you want to start out in 2d and work up to 3d, see Python (http://www.python.org/) and PyGame (http://www.pygame.org/) to get yourself started. They are free downloads and you'll gain a lot of experience by working with them.

[STLDude]

I would also second the Python route. Learning C# might not be a bad idea, since you can use Developer Studio (Microsoft compiler IDE product) which does come with very good debugger.

As far as mixing 2D and 3D, I'm not sure if that would be easier than just 2D or 3D by itself.

There are several game makers programs (search google for it) which might be also a good start, since you do not have any experience.

Keep in mind, that if you decided to pick programming, like C++, Python, C#, there is steep learning curve, so it will be a while before you start seeing cool results. Granted, you can get up something quick to run, but if you do not understand basic, it will bury you soon. Even using IDE's it's pretty daunting for a beginner, thinks like creating project, compiling, etc.

All in all, C++ should be at the bootom of your list, since it does come with steepest learning curve and it's not very forgiving if user makes mistakes.

[lefti]

Actualy I do not agree with your oppinions just because I started learning programming with c++ as the first language.
I find c++ as a very easy language to use, (I have made a simple comand line project where you could create a username and a password and login with them, as a result the program greeted you if the info was matching; and forbiding you to login if the info was not matching. All this at the first two hours of learning.)
And STLdude, Yes c++ is not very forgiving but you can learn from your mistakes..

[SamuraiCrow]

@lefti

You learn from your mistakes no matter what programming language you use, assuming you ever find your mistakes. :-P

I've used many programming languages including C++, Python, Java, BASIC, Comal, Fortran77, Pascal, and Assembly and I'd not recommend using C++ first.

[STLDude]

Lefti, in your case that might be true (there is always exception to the rule), but looking at the amount of issues arise from trying to learn and use C++ (large amount of post everywhere :)), it speaks for itself that C++ is not the best language to be learning first.

[Coredev]

Hija all,also new here.

Just wanted to say that C/C++ is probably the best way to go anyway due to the vast amounts of tutorials and knowledge out there. I think you might find even many more game engines for C than Python. If you google Game Programming Tutorials most will be for C although alot of Basic is comming up now a days.

/Mike