Hi,
I've got an idea and I would like to know what do you think about it.
I used for two or three years a program called Game Maker. It is a good tool for make game like pacman, 2d shooter, etc. It has basic function for 3d and can use plugin ( dll ). Exist one for use Irrrlicht with it.
It has 3 thing that I think limit it in some way:
- create executable that are interpreted, so a game can run slowly if you do complicate computing or other heavy things.
- run only on Windows platform.
- the build in debugger is difficult to use for some cases.
My Idea is to make a program like Game Maker using only Irrlicht for the interface and the graphics. This program can make game that run on Windows, Linux and other OS. This program don't need a own internal language as Game Maker, it can use c++. Simply it is a RAD that combine some predefined "code templates" in order to produce a program / game / etc. Theese templates are organized in library. For Example:
- library for create particles
- one for spriting
- another for action
- sound
- input
- network
- etc.
The libraryes are pure "c++" or "c" functions / classes / structure saved in files that can be combined in a c++ project. You can use the power of this language and define your own game loop, logic or other Game Builder libraryes. You can derive a class from another and so on. Using c++ make sure you can use other library or engine like Irrlicht, SDL, OpenAL, Newton, Ode, etc. in your programs.
The games you produce don't need to be interpreted. The c++ language compile on all platform and most compiler generate optimised code that make program faster. Debugger can help to solve bugs.
If the interface I'm thinking will be good, and all the internal libraryes solve to all aspect of game programming, also people without c++ knowldge can make their game using only the mouse.
In order to have a practical idea of the result I want to reach visit the Game Maker site at http://www.cs.uu.nl/people/markov/gmaker/
Thanks for your time and excuse me for my bad english.
Alberto Rubinato