I make smart programs, want to make games. where to start

[Michael.K.Conte]

Hello, i currently make programs that handle intense algorithms in C++ .NET and i would like to make a racing game i have envisioned for a while.

What should i start with, i think i want to use the irr light engine.

i dont need to learn the simple things, just things like 3d rendering and i guess anything that isnt a process from a button and input.

nice forum btw

[Frank Dodd]

My personal recommendation would be the following: -

• * Study the tutorials supplied with Irrlicht, compile them, tweak them, play around with the code and get an idea of what the engine can do.
  * Come up with a complete game concept, think about all the aspects of your game and get them written down: be inventive, be imaginative and be realistic.
  * Try some proof of concept and technology tests to make sure its the engine for you. If its a racing game perhaps implement a basic car driving through a series of blocks representing objects.
  * Create a more complete game design: Requirements, architecture and module design.
  * Get coding that racing classic!

[Virion]

weird. why are there so many irrlicht beginners here recently asking where to start but at the same time they don't want to learn the "simple things"? dude, if you already can program something that handle "intense algorithms" you should be able to understand all the irrlicht tutorials in minutes and do not even need to post this thread here.

it's irrlicht by the way not irr light.

[Michael.K.Conte]

weird. why are there so many irrlicht beginners here recently asking where to start but at the same time they don't want to learn the "simple things"? dude, if you already can program something that handle "intense algorithms" you should be able to understand all the irrlicht tutorials in minutes and do not even need to post this thread here.

it's irrlicht by the way not irr light.

lol sorry about that last thing...

yeah this is from my phone because i am traveling, cant download right now...

i make architecture programs that make exact calculations to simplify the user process based on simple variables. i have never even though about game design.

the simple things i mentioned where coding basics, not beginner tutorials for the engine etc...

* Get coding that racing classic!

oh, it will be much more experimental than a classic

[agamemnus]

dude, if you already can program something that handle "intense algorithms" you should be able to understand all the irrlicht tutorials in minutes and do not even need to post this thread here.

The Irrlicht tutorials are not that great. They are geared for someone making a very particular type of FPS and they don't explain too much.

Besides that, STILL no one has deleted the old tutorials that are even more confusing; eg: http://irrlicht.sourceforge.net/tut001.html.

[B@z]

irrlicht tutorials just show what u need to know when starting making a game
at least it was enough for me.
just check ogre. shiny shiny examples. and u look in the source?

class ExampleApp: public IOgreExampleSDK // just guessing, it was something like this

great, they hid everything from us, just shown us what the engine is capable of, but not how u can do it, or similar effects.
after checking a lot of engines irrlicht tutorials showed to me best how to make a game with this engine. others didnt compile, or the examples were a peace of shet (except panda, which is great, but script based :<)
so dont blame irr examples plox~

well anyway if u want to make a racing game, first u need to know what u want to do.
since u making "smart" programs, i guess you know how to program right?
now then
you need:
1) load models, cars, objects on the map, traffic signals etc
2) you need to load a map
3) then some input
4) physics are important in racing games!
5) ????
6) Profit

now, irrlicht handles the model loading job for u. u need to decide to use what model format, how u animate it, etc. there are a lot of discussions about that, so search the forum
2) map format is an another problem. u can either use bsp maps, heightmap terrains, models. for a racing game i'd suggest to use terrain (maybe arras' tiled terrain!?)
3) irrlicht handles the keyboard input. u only have to worry about it, if u want to use joystick, or wheel~~
4) irrlicht has basic built in collision detection, but for a racing game, u might need more advanced physics. check out irrOde, irrPhysix, and irrBullet, irrNewton, or one of these w/o irrlicht wrapper, maybe ull success to integrate them (there are plenty much tutorials on the forum)
5) then u can start working with nice shaders, environment effects, gui, etc
6) and then just upload here to delight everyone with our beautiful, shiny-shiny racing classic~

sorry if my english is not good :< but i hope i helped