Author: ant3000 Source: Programming Forum
I am often asked: A person with few people who have less than programming, how to start the game production. Until now, I always do my best. However, the number of problems has grown to a level of difficult to handle, so I decided to summarize all the recommendations as a reference in an article.
This article is mainly for people who want to develop their own games, but only a little or no more programmed experience. In fact, I also assume that the reader does not have any programming knowledge at all. I will focus on programming and design of game development, not art. I am also not prepared to discuss the game industry (because this topic is too much), but I will take you to some things you need to do before making the game. The point of this description is not to use the method you introduced here as the only or best learning game, but for me, it is effective.
1, choose a language
The first thing to do is to choose a language. You have a lot of choices, including Basic, Pascal, C, C , Java, etc. also have a lot of language about which language is most suitable for beginners. For the advantages and disadvantages of various languages, please refer to John Hattan's Wonderful Article "What I should use".
I recommend C and C here. Some people think that these languages are too difficult for beginners, but from my personal point of perspective, I am against this point of view, because I started from C . In addition, C / C is the most widely used language, so you can find a lot of information and help. As for the first to learn C or the problem of C , because you have learned one of them, it is not too big to learn another kind. However, if you choose C at the beginning, be sure before learning object-oriented programming, you have understood and master the process-oriented programming. (For example, if you still can't make a program without using the class, don't worry about learning.
If you find that C / C is a very difficult thing, don't tighten, go back to a relatively simple language to learn, such as Basic or Pascal. But I think that if you stick to it, and find some good information, learn C / C is not big.
Your next question is: How do I learn C / C ? I am very happy that you ask this question. The best way is to go to the class. Is there a teacher to help answer questions, which has great impact on your development, and programming jobs will ensure that you have learned what you have learned.
If you are not in your consideration, the next best way is to find some good books. Don't put your attention on those "Daquan" books, because you will still buy a few. I suggest you go to a local bookstore, spend some time to browse the book to the C and C , until you find what you can understand and can learn from the middle. At the same time, you may still want to buy a few advanced books or a reference book, but once you have some knowledge of this language, you will have more ideas you need. Some suggestions can be found in the Books Channel.
Here, I briefly explain a lot of introductors I have ever seen, especially young people concerned: there is no money to buy books or other things. First, there are many resources that are free, including libraries and Macmillan Computer Publishing (there are hundreds of programmed books on www.mcp.com). Second, if you want to be an excellent programmer, you have to consider the investment above. Use various means (legal; <) to get dotted. There are a large number of C and C learning tutorials on the Internet, but I think these tutorials are much better as the reference to your study book than a separate material.
2, select the appropriate compiler
The program you write, or the source code is stored in text files, you can even write C / C programs with Notes. However, you must have something to transform these source code into an executable file. For C and C , something is a compiler.
There are now a large number of compilers exist, there are many free. It is very important to choose a suitable compiler, and the free compiler has a good thing is that you can try a try, see which you like most. However, free compilers are often less technical than commercial compilers or lack of good technical support. Fortunately, most commercial compilers have the same function as the full version, but the price is much cheaper, the only limit is, you can't release the program developed using the compiler (this is sure soon. ).
3, select a target platform
Although you may eventually eventually develop programs, you should choose one of them. When you learn your language, you probably want to use a non-GUI operating system before you have not entered an image program, such as DOS or UNIX. This helps you focus on language learning, thus avoiding some high-level issues, such as Windows programming.
However, once you are ready to start making a game, you should consider converting your target platform. A few common platforms:
Windows: If you want a full-time job in the game industry, or you want a large group of people to play your game, then Windows is your first choice. Most of your target customers use Windows, and this situation will not change quickly. A large number of Windows games use a technique that you have all I have heard of DirectX. DirectX is a library that allows you to do hardware directly, you can rely on it to write high-performance games.
DOS: DOS used to be the main platform of the game, but this is yesterday yellow flower. Although some enthusiasts are still in DOS development games, no commercial game is developed for DOS, and DOS is due to Microsoft stopping its support to decline. If you just start playing games, don't choose DOS, if you have done this, don't stay again. Note: Because many game programming books are written for DOS, they may think that there is a job in DOS in DOS. However, with the increase in the number of WINDOWS game programming, this argument has become less and less, it is increasingly meaningful.
Linux: Linux is a variant of UNIX, because it has a number of factors such as stable, cheap, and anti-Microsoft plots, it is becoming more popular. Although the current Linux users are still relatively small, with the potential growth of its lovers and markets, it has also become a feasible choice as a target platform.
Macintosh: Apple has a number of large numbers of but very loyal followers, almost every apple fan I have ever seen has a strong desire for more Apple games. I haven't seen how many information on the development of games on the Apple machine, but I am sure that it is true, so this is also a reasonable choice. Home Game Machine: The game console (such as PlayStation, N64, Dreamcast, etc.) The game market is very huge and prospects. However, due to various reasons, it is unlikely to develop non-commercial gameplay games. Most of the games developed for the game consoles will be bought away by the commercial game company. 4, sufficient electricity
It is time to discuss truly game. Although most of what I said is suitable for other languages, I will assume that you choose C / C to make Windows programming.
First, you should be able to master C and C before you consider how to start making a game. You should understand and master the pointers, arrays, structures, functions, and class. I have done this, you can start making a game.
This article cannot teach you everything about making the game. Fortunately, this is not necessary. There are a lot of books on this, and there are hundreds of tutorials online. GameDev.net should have everything you need now. Below is some suggestions I started to you:
Learn a book or a few books. For the first school programmers of Windows games, "Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus" is an excellent Windows programming tutorial. There are many good books listed in this site books section in this site. Read these books, run all routines, repeatedly study the chapter you don't understand.
Use the online tutorial to supplement the shortcomings of the book. In addition to clarifying some things you read, online tutorials will usually contain the subjects involved.
Find experts for consultation. If you can't find the answer from the book or tutorial, come to the message version or chat room of this site, there are many people who are willing to help.
Don't treat the above point as an ordered process, but should be seen as a parallel process of loop reciprocation.
Just learning, thinking is far less, you should put things you have learned into practice. From a simple game, gradually develop. You can read the articles of GEOFF Howland "How do I make games? A path to game development".
First, develop a plan for your work. Don't rush to join a team because it will only slow down your learning process. When you have several games in your bag, you will make greater contributions to a team.
About books, there is something I want to remind: You need to read other books except game programming. In order to make a variety of games you have seen in the store, you will have to study more advanced topics than most of most game programming books. Some possibilities can be found in the tutorial, however, you still have to buy a few books on graphics, artificial intelligence, network, physics, etc. This is the way to get a computer scientific degree, because you will be asked to learn some courses that you think is related to the game programming, and actually they are related.
5, summary
There are some techniques that can produce huge differences:
It is only known to gather knowledge, the application is the key. Unless you are using, you can't really know and understand these things. Do some small test procedures to apply what you have learned and earnestly complete the exercises after each chapter on the book.
Play a lot of games. You will find inspiration, which helps you make better games. Of course, this is also a welcoming method of religing programming pressure.
helping others. You will learn more during your process of helping others.
Complete your work. Don't fall into a circle of ideas: "I know that I can do this game, but I have a better idea, I have to do this good project." If you can persist, you will learn more Things, and you have a work to prove that you are not just empty talk. Before you have extensive experience, do your simple, don't try to make a big and complicated game. lets go! You should make quake 4. Of course, it may not be so easy, but at least you can start from this direction and know where to find more information. After years of hard work, you will succeed!
Basically, what kind of compiler you choose depends on how much you can spend, you will develop procedures on what operating systems and platforms. If you are going to contribute to Windows, I strongly recommend using Microsoft's Visual C . It has a powerful development environment that allows you to feel relaxed, no other compiler can be more suitable for developing Windows software than it. If you are a famous student, you can get a copy with a very low price. If you are going to develop programs under DOS, you'd better use free DJGPP.
