Thread: Where should I start?

Well, it really doesn't matter what language you use, but if you want to make graphical games, you should look into either learning DirectX or OpenGL. OpenGL is just a graphics library, but it can be used on most platforms. DirectX is a full API, and comes with functions to handle sound, and input from joysticks, pads, etc, but you can only use it on windows. Both of these can be used with C/C++. You can also use languages such as Allegro, or SDL to program games as well, but I don't know too much about them.

I prefer OpenGL myself, a good site for tutorials is http://nehe.gamedev.net. If you wanna go the DirectX path, google "DirectX SDK" and see what you get, and as for tutorials, I have no clue, maybe look in some other threads.

Good luck!

If you want to start game programming, I'd say learn either C++ or C#. If you plan on programming games for a living, then it would be more stable to learn C++. C# is powerful, but usually just learned as a hobby since going down that route leaves you limited to Microsoft products essentially.

You could read a book, or eBook, or two, and a few tutorials, and some practice (of either C++ or C#). Then after being sufficiently ready you could go and learn DirectX or OpenGL. DirectX may come with all the components (its a huge library in size also), but you can mix other libraries to OpenGL to do the same thing. I personally prefer OpenGL, because its cross-platform, easier to learn (for most), and misc reasons. ATM DirectX is basicly dominant in the game programming world, but OpenGL is making its way in and by the time some of us actually do anything commercial it should be more popular.

After learning the language of choice (C++, or C#) you have all the cards you need to learn the functions to program for windows, or program games, establish internet connections, send sounds/keystrokes, etc.



I'd recommend these 2 books for C++ (primer first, then the other):
C++ Primer Plus, //(5th Edition),
by Stephen Prata

Accelerated C++: Practical Programming by Example,
by Andrew Koenig

Then theres this C++ eBook: http://newdata.box.sk/bx/c/, and theres another one somewhere.

My personal view on the differences between OpenGL and DirectX. Imagine openGL as a big, smooth circle, and slowly becoming more "square". Imagine DirectX as a sharp, get-it-done-the-hard-way square, and it's turning into a circle. Sometime in the future, the two will become a square with rounded edges.

So currently OpenGL is easier to learn but directX is more developed.

OpenGL and Direct3D are graphics libraries, they have nothing to do with the security of your game. The security of your game would be the result of your C++ coding, and any security features you impliment. I wouldnt rush into OpenGL, start with text games and learning C++ well will take you further, then add OpenGL to the picture (the graphics).

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If we are talking about graphics libraries, Direct3D is not more developed than OpenGL. OpenGL wont change forms anymore than it is, because its simply a graphics library and wont somehow form to be the same shape as DirectX because DirectX includes multiple libraries. However the fact that OpenGL has the same capibilities of Direct3D and can go cross-platform, as well as being smaller in size, and it also allows video manufacturers to impliment new features using OpenGL on their card, which wont be done with Direct3D (unless they ask Microsoft to hardcode it into it), which might be why some people have noticed better renderings on OpenGL vs Direct3D. If we talk about Direct3D vs OpenGL, its no contest They are similar, but OpenGL has a few things that make it better, now if only the other libraries you have to mix with OpenGL (not made by the same people) were as good and in a full family like DirectX.

However, http://khronos.org/, if you were comparing Open (on that site) vs DirectX, then I'd go with the last poster.. Open is slowly taking the shape DirectX has, though, because its cross-platform, I'd say in a sharper shape than DirectX

I think the only reason DirectX is still used more commercially is because people have all that premade DirectX code (since its been used a while) they can work with (like those games based on movies that come out all the time) and of course its hard to change that. Of course that is changing and will change completely within the next few years IMHO.

That was REALLY descriptive. Thanks for all the help guys! =D

So using just openGL and c++ I can code a game?

So using just openGL and c++ I can code a game?

Yes, definately.

If you plan on making games for windows, maybe learning some of the win32 API wouldn't hurt, or learning something for your windowing system if your using Linux, I don't know if you can still use OpenGL or DirectX graphics in console windows (or if you ever could :P)