Thread: Newbie in Game World

Well, before you can learn how to program you need to learn when to properly use capital letters and when to use lower case letters.

After that, once your capitals and lowercases are all nice and tidy, go out to the bookstore and buy a couple of C++ books. Learn the C++ language. It could take up to 2 years of learning C++ before you are actually ready to start learning OpenGL and DirectX, depending on how fast you learn. You need to not only know the language, but have proficient knowledge in how it works, why it works, and also have a knowledge of data structures such as binary trees, heaps, sorting algorithms, searching algorithms, and such.

Next, once you feel proficient with C++ and programming in general, make sure your math is up to par. At least have a knowledge of basic Geometry and Algebra before you do any graphics programming. More advanced graphics will require a knowledge of Algebra II, Trig, Pre-Calc, and Calculus.

Once you feel good enough in math to start doing a little graphics, then go ahead and go get a game programming book from the store. Learn all about how graphics work. Learn about pathfinding, entities, game engines, particle engines, and all of that sort of stuff.

I hope this doesnt discourage you, but it takes a whole lot more work than a n00bie might think if you are just starting out with your Hello, World program! But be persistent and the knowledge will come, and it gets really fun too! (Seriously, it does...it's awesome).

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P.S. along with learning the proper usage of capital letters, make sure to learn present participles and gerunds too! You said, "Starting" but it should be "started".
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DavidP this is a programming board not an english board. I'm rather apalled at your treatment of a newcomer to this board and believe you should apologize for quite simply....being an ASS. He obviously is not one of the newbs that capitalizes every other word or anything like that.


Best way to get started bud is to read some books. I highly doubt it will be two or three years before you code your first game. Once you get the basics down its all just a matter of adding more advanced stuff later.

Go to www.gamedev.net and look at the books they recommend. Good place to get started.
I would not only look at books about DirectX, but about game design, model design, AI, and just general C/C++ code.

We are not here to discourage you...more to help you so don't let some of our ........ poor attitudes detour you from the task at hand.
DavidP is a very good source of info and a great asset to the board.....I'm not sure why he was so nitpicky at your post...maybe he's having a bad hair day.

ditto to davidp, that was very uncalled for.

holy cow guys i was just joking.

i dont point out grammar mistakes near as much as other guys on these boards!!!

sorry though, just joking, didnt mean to offend in any way.