Creating Games

[Gazatteer]

Hi

I want to create 2D games. I already have some software development experience but I don't know where to start with games programming.

I like to develop games for all platforms especially Windows and mobile phones. Realistically, as a beginner it's better to develop for Windows as I am familiar with it's environment. Once the game is developed I must be able to move the game to other platforms, e.g. iPhone.

I like to start with a very small game, with good graphics, to give you an example something like Angry Birds?

Once the game is developed on Windows, I like to move it iPhone.

I already have access to Visual Studio 2010 with C++.
Bullet Physics is also available.

What other software would I need to develop games in Windows with good graphics and then easily export the game to iPhone?

Thanks

[Gazatteer]

Would I need Maya for graphics?

[gennoevus]

This question is probably not being answered because it doesn't have much to do with bullet, so it is kinda outside the scope of this forum I think.

I'll try to help you anyway, though!

Would I need Maya for graphics?

Depends on what you mean "for graphics." Maya is a 3D modeling program - for making 3D models. To make software that can render 3D models in real-time, you really need a graphics API like OpenGL or DirectX.

3D modeling is an art in itself, just as painting and sculpting with clay is. If you are not familiar with 3D modeling, I advise against making 3D models for your game by yourself as your game is likely to look very ugly without 3D modeling training and oodles of experience.

Graphics programming also requires a fair bit of math.

Here is the basic set of free and cross platform programs and APIs that you need to make a game.
MinGW C/C++ compiler (Visual Studio C++ will also do fine)
OpenGL
SDL
Blender
BULLET! <- this isn't 100% needed for a simple games. Maybe you should try to make a simple game before integrating a physics engine? Of course Bullet is cool, so when you are ready to make more complicated games, bullet should be your physics choice

But really, for a 2D game you don't really need a physics engine, especially if you are a beginner. If you start with something too ambitious, your project will never get finished. I can't count the number of unfinished mods and games that I've done in the last 11 years!!

Anyway, good luck

[Gazatteer]

Thank you very much.

I want to get into programming a very basic game but for the past few days I have been googling and getting overloaded with confusion and information. Where did this game development idea come from? From Bullet of course after watching Bullet videos on youTube. I wish I learnt some physics at school but oh well, now is the best time. I think bullet is fantastic.

Googling gave me too much information and I lost track as what software is required to develop the games. So after 5 days I am still googling and asking questions.

So I want to develop a game like Angry Birds, which I think should be easy enough, in Windows environment.

Would C++, OpenGL, SDL and Bullet be sufficient to develop a game like Angry Birds?

Do I need anything for animation?

Thanks

[gennoevus]

Thank you very much.

I want to get into programming a very basic game but for the past few days I have been googling and getting overloaded with confusion and information. Where did this game development idea come from? From Bullet of course after watching Bullet videos on youTube. I wish I learnt some physics at school but oh well, now is the best time. I think bullet is fantastic.

Googling gave me too much information and I lost track as what software is required to develop the games. So after 5 days I am still googling and asking questions.

So I want to develop a game like Angry Birds, which I think should be easy enough, in Windows environment.

Would C++, OpenGL, SDL and Bullet be sufficient to develop a game like Angry Birds?

Do I need anything for animation?

Thanks

Yeah, you could make almost any kind of game with just those things. For 2D art you might also need a good drawing program like the GIMP. And a good 2D artist!

To build your skills, maybe you should organise a series of small projects that progressively get more complicated. If you try to make something like angry birds straight off, and you have no experience at all, you will fail.

Make a simple pure ascii text game with C++ only, like a simple nethack type game. Once you are confident with C++ and can make something that works and is fairly game-like, then try making something else that uses SDL or openGL like a fancy pretty version of that snake game that used to be on old cell phones.

Only do one thing at a time, and only once you have mastered one thing should you move on to the next. Otherwise you will be overloaded with information and it will be hard to see progress or make anything.

But, like anything, perseverance and hard work will get results! So good luck!

[Gazatteer]

gennoevus, thank you very much. This is the best advice and information I have got and to the point.

I am software engineering graduate but over the years I have done the development in vb.net mainly windows applications. I am highly proficient in C# too so I think and I have done bits and bats in php. I did use java at uni and c++ at college thought that was many many years ago.

But I think I am very rusty on c++ therefore I will take your advice and attempt something basic.

One last question please. I have read somewhere that exporting games to another platform is easy if the game is developed in c++ and opengl. Is this True?

Thanks

[gennoevus]

gennoevus, thank you very much. This is the best advice and information I have got and to the point.

I am software engineering graduate but over the years I have done the development in vb.net mainly windows applications. I am highly proficient in C# too so I think and I have done bits and bats in php. I did use java at uni and c++ at college thought that was many many years ago.

But I think I am very rusty on c++ therefore I will take your advice and attempt something basic.

One last question please. I have read somewhere that exporting games to another platform is easy if the game is developed in c++ and opengl. Is this True?

Thanks

Well my advice isn't necessarily the best, it might pay to get a second opinion because I'm just human!

Sorry, by suggesting that you start with something simple, I wasn't suggesting that you were not a competent programmer. It's just that coding a game and coding regular software are two very different kettles of fish!! I also did C# a long time ago - it's crap!!

Anyway, about C++ and openGL being platform independent; most certainly yes.

DirectX belongs to microsoft and therefore only works with their dirty operating system. OpenGL is much more platform independent. I personally code in opengl/sdl/c++ on linux because it's so so much easier. Everything ports to windows and mac without too much trouble.

I would love to give you some iPhone specific advice, but unfortunately I'm not too familiar with the iPhone because it is so limited in my country and also I'm too poor to buy one

Good luck! Maybe there are iPhone game developer forums somewhere where you can get more specific advice for iPhone stuff.

Anyway, this is where to go if you want to know more about bullet, and I'd be glad to help you out with anything else!