making games

C++_skater · Post by **C++_skater** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 7:36 pm

hi every body
im a 14years old boy from sweden who loves to program and i know the basics of C++
so i downloaded irrlicht and that is like you know a graphic engine but what more do i need to make games:
the only thing i have made in C++ is a calculator and a '.txt' viwer

ps. of courese i have a compiler (visual studio express C++)
an sorry for my bad english

hybrid · Post by **hybrid** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:00 pm

You will need 3d models (either downloaded or created using a 3d modeller). Then you can start writing your app. Read the examples found in the SDK to learn about the way to work with Irrlicht.

messen · Post by **messen** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 10:14 am

First of all you need a concept.

kburkhart84 · Post by **kburkhart84** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 2:41 pm

If you have that programming experience, I recommend you start really basic, not with a 3d engine, even one as simple as Irrlicht. Not only do you need to understand C++ code, but also in general game programming algorithms and code. For example, you need to understand how the code in a game loop actually works, for example, render, gather input, process input, render........ There is a lot to learn, and starting as big as working with a 3d engine will leave you burned out and with nothing to show. Start with a simple pong clone in the console window. www.gamedev.net has a for beginners section that explains in more detail.

C++_skater · Post by **C++_skater** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 6:56 pm

thanks, kburkhart84
but what 2d engine can i use?

bitplane · Post by **bitplane** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 8:52 pm

you dont need a 2d engine if you're making pong in the console window.. you can use <conio.h>

zeno60 · Post by **zeno60** » Sat Mar 03, 2007 11:52 pm

C++_skater wrote:thanks, kburkhart84
but what 2d engine can i use?

Check out allegro: http://www.talula.demon.co.uk/allegro/

C++_skater · Post by **C++_skater** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 5:41 pm

but found an engin called SDL(simpel directmedia layer) so gona check that out and maby <conio.h>
but do seomeone know about some windows programming tutorial?

lostclimategames · Post by **lostclimategames** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 6:53 pm

i never got real real far on this one but i atleast understand the basics, it works fairly well and gets to the points quite quickly.

http://www.winprog.org/tutorial/

Midnight · Post by **Midnight** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 1:58 am

kburkhart84 wrote:If you have that programming experience, I recommend you start really basic, not with a 3d engine, even one as simple as Irrlicht.

kburkhart84 wrote: For example, you need to understand how the code in a game loop actually works, for example, render, gather input, process input, render........ There is a lot to learn, and starting as big as working with a 3d engine will leave you burned out and with nothing to show.

just make a game..what kind of game you want? read the forums learn more c++ any chance you get...buy a book or ten.

there is some solid advice...I started with irrlicht and I'll probably never code outside of a rendering engine again... why would I? I'm not building a firewall or antivirus app...hell they might look good with 3d graphics anyways.

just build each piece seperate...get a few effects and new gui elements going...read the hell out of the irrlicht source...good luck.

you're young and have time to learn directly you're not trying to win a contest. it took me two years to learn programming basics and work with irrlicht you already have a head start i knew nothing when i started and my first ever...hell you could even call it my hello world app was guice a gui editor for irrlicht.

READ SOURCE AND LEARN C++ this much he was right about.

hell add me to msn like half the irrlicht community did and I'll personally get you going with irrlicht like I've done many times before.

of course only 2 people didn't go on to be better then me and they were also 14 and more interested in virus programming. morons.

Midnight · Post by **Midnight** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:09 am

To answer your question on a more direct level.

you'll need a physics engine for ragdoll and gravity effects.
IPhysics is nice I'm sure so you won't have to wrap it for irrlicht

IrrKlang for sound effects or openAL... audiere also.

IrrNet for networking and multiplayer.

you'll need AI algorythums for bots an NPC's A* i hear is simple enough.

use irrEdit for scene editing and bitplanes gui editor in the next release of irrlicht for the interface.

a game state class to manage the scenes.

did I leave anything out?

I bought my first pc when i was 21 years old and I'll be selling games by my 26 birthday... If I can do it anyone can. but maybe I don't know my own strength.

Frodenius · Post by **Frodenius** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 9:53 am

hell add me to msn like half the irrlicht community did and I'll personally get you going with irrlicht like I've done many times before.

you'll need a physics engine for ragdoll and gravity effects.

lol
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he's a noob man! i dont mean to offend anyone, but in fact you shouldnt start coding ambitious programs until you are familiar with the most common patterns of game programming.

Midnight · Post by **Midnight** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 2:10 pm

Frodenius wrote: lol
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he's a noob man! i dont mean to offend anyone, but in fact you shouldnt start coding ambitious programs until you are familiar with the most common patterns of game programming.

I just explained how I STARTED as a noob with a very ambitious program and succeeded.

I bet you also believe every programmer has been to college and that you'll never be successful without it huh?

It's a matter of determination nothing more. code is code none of it is really any better for learning then the rest thats an illusion.

Nodtveidt · Post by **Nodtveidt** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:18 pm

Having huge ambition from the start can be very productive. Having a lot of experience prior can make ambition lessen, as you've had failures in the past and you won't shoot as high. So taking on a 3D game your first time out isn't a bad idea at all.

Midnight · Post by **Midnight** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:27 pm

Nodtveidt wrote:Having huge ambition from the start can be very productive. Having a lot of experience prior can make ambition lessen, as you've had failures in the past and you won't shoot as high. So taking on a 3D game your first time out isn't a bad idea at all.

44 posts and I'm impressed with the ones I've seen so far.

maybe there is hope for some.