Am I ready for game programming ????

[CodeJerk]

I have done programming (in C) for around 8-9 months, I didn't write any exceptional programs in this period though. I know C++ fairly well (I understand inheritance and polymorphism, that is), and have completed my Data Structures course (didn't score an 'A'). I am interested in programming games, but have no idea as to where to start. Can someone suggest some book (no tutorials on the net please) that can help me start (that is if you think I am good enough to program one).

I am looking for something to begin my game programming with...

Thankx in advance.

[damonbrinkley]

I know nothing about game programming but they have some book suggestion on gamedev.net right HERE (http://www.gamedev.net/columns/books/)

[bit_cruncher]

Gaming on the PC platform revolves around DirectX/OpenGL these days. Unfortinatley, DirectX is a world apart from C, I have been using C for about 5 years and DirectX looks wierd.
If you know some WinAPI, thats a good start but you really need to get into some DirectX which is not easy, theres some real good web tutorials out there, for getting started in DirectX give this link a go
http://sunlightd.virtualave.net/Windows/

I have never tried OpenGL, but hear that it's MUCH less hard work.
Have fun!

[OneStiffRod]

If your gonna try to learn OpenGL or DirectX without understanding the Win32 API, I think your asking for trouble... Learn at least some windows programming first and then things should mesh better.

[cozman]

Allegro or SDL are two other great libs for beginner developers like yourself.

http://allegro.cc
http://libsdl.org

[CodeJerk]

Thanks for that link.....I am looking into SDL. But about algorithms/methods/designs, do you have any special recommendations...

[ripper079]

If your gonna try to learn OpenGL or DirectX without understanding the Win32 API, I think your asking for trouble... Learn at least some windows programming first and then things should mesh better.


When you are refeering to "Learn at least some windows programming first..." how much is at least. I am in the same situation as CodeJerk (programmad c++ for 3 years) and really want to avoid windows programming and start with OpenGL NOW :D.
How necessary is it to know window programming before learning an API(OpenGL).

P.S was checking in a education (2 years) about computer graphics(mostly 3D) and didnīt find a course in "windows programming".

[master5001]

Well either I'm ten times as resourceful as an average programmer (highly unlikely) or I am a little better at learning but there are enough online materials for everything described on this board. I've only been programming in c/c++ for a year and a half and I was able to learn everything described on this thread (almost everything, I'm not a huge fan of Allegro...or SDL) via online tutorials. Just look around. Admittedly the way it works is on Monday you want a good Direct Sound tutorial and don't find it and when you are looking for a good Open GL tutorial on Tuesday you find a great Direct Sound tutorial.

[frenchfry164]

you're just about always ready for game programming. Just learn the basics of the language, and then boom! you're set. Practice is how you learn in the world of gaming. However, you should learn how to make a gameloop b4 you start at it. It's not too hard at all though.

[CodeJerk]

Yes, that's what I was talking about. Are there tutorials on the net that teach gameloops,etc. too. But, because I have rather limited access to the net, it would be great if somebody could recommend a book.
And yes about windows programming, I am finding it pretty difficult, and, then, as a user has said, it may not help..and if it does, how much of it will do (for some simple games,i.e.)

[adamviper]

i started with rpg's w/o graphics then morph into graphics useing other game types.
i am now doing fps's.

[frenchfry164]

many people start off with a loop like this (assuming you're using double buffered graphics)


// This is psuedo code
do
{
ClearBackBuffer(); // Clear up the backbuffer for drawing to it
GameLogic(); // Update the game logic
DrawGraphics(); // Draw all the graphics to the back buffer
UpdateScreen(); // Blit the buffer to the screen
}while(GAMELOOP); // GAMELOOP is a boolean value. When you need to leave the gameloop, set it to false


Then people customize it out to their liking, and add on to it. A good idea would to put a framerate limiter, or logic timer.

[Tommaso]

I am in the same boat you are. I picked up the book ,"Tricks Of The Windows Game Programming Gurus" by Andre LaMothe. This book has everything you need to start windows programming with DirectX. Im half way through the book and find everything is clear and understandable. I have only been programming for about six months in Dos, and then started reading this book. I have not had any problems understanding any of it so far, and would recomend this book to anyone. Mind you I had to read the chapters sometimes three times each to fully absorb the info, but that is probably just me. If you don't mind spending $80.00 on a good book, go grab yourself a copy. It is probably the best book I have ever read on programming. Well, hope this helps!

[CodeJerk]

Is familiarity with windows programming necessary to follow this book? Although I have been using Visual C++ 6.0 for quite sometime, all I have done is console programming on it. I haven't really done any windows programming till now. But if it is necessary to understand the book that's been suggested [Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus] then I would learn some Windows programming before I go for the book (but I am sure that I am going to get this game programming book).
Thanks.

[ammar]

Check out this website:
http://www.gametutorials.com

I think you'll find what you want there.

[CodeJerk]

Thanks for the link

[EnforcerGIS]

Originally posted by CodeJerk
Is familiarity with windows programming necessary to follow this book? Although I have been using Visual C++ 6.0 for quite sometime, all I have done is console programming on it. I haven't really done any windows programming till now. But if it is necessary to understand the book that's been suggested [Tricks of the Windows Game Programming Gurus] then I would learn some Windows programming before I go for the book (but I am sure that I am going to get this game programming book).
Thanks.

I think the most important thing you can do is practice each chapter with what you learned. Usually it builds from each chapter, if they have exercises DO THEM as you will get more out of it then just ONLY reading.

If you only read then you will be :confused:

[Shadow12345]

omg is it just me or did no one suggest nehe?
nehe.gamedev.net

i'm sure all this hoo haa about 'what is the perfect book to get' and 'what is the best resource' may seem intimidating to you if you are just starting out. I don't believe any resource is really any better than any other, because in the end it is what you make of it. get some book, start fooling around with code from the book, ask questions on these boards (also ask questions on gamedev.net's forums), keep doing that

and don't try to compare your skill level to that of other programmers, biggest mistake any programmer can make.