Thread: Beginner...

  1. #16
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    yep, its difficult

    I am trying to learn as well and it is difficult. I am new to C++ and direct X and trying to learn both at the same time. AAAHHH

    I have learned Pascal a long time ago but I am not sure that is really helping me. It's like I am learning all over again. I am very stubborn, though, and well, I got time on my hands so I figure why not.

    Patience. I think it takes patience.

    Right now I am trying to make a Falling objects game and I got the bitmap loaded !!! yeh

    I want to do 3d games, too, but once you read all of the crazy stuff involved you figure out maybe I'll start with 2D first.

    Good luck man. Maybe you have a better programming mind than me. I have a Bachelors in Mathematics and could program the physics and what not but without knowing the code commands ...the math is worthless.

  2. #17
    * Death to Visual Basic * Devil Panther's Avatar
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    Well yeah 2D is much easier, but I think I've over used it.
    I've played around with 2D graphics under DOS enviroment (VGA graphics). It was so lame, but still fun.

    Since then I've got myself into windows programming, and now I would like to learn 3D.

    I now understand how much knowledge I'll have to gain in order to do 3D graphics.


    But I still have a few questions:
    1. What is better, OpenGL or DirectX, or both. What should I start with?

    2. Can someone please give me a clue what is a game engine?



    Thank you.
    "I don't suffer from insanity but enjoy every minute of it" - Edgar Allen Poe

    http://www.Bloodware.net - Developing free software for the community.

  3. #18
    I am the worst best coder Quantrizi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Devil Panther
    ...
    But I still have a few questions:
    1. What is better, OpenGL or DirectX, or both. What should I start with?

    2. Can someone please give me a clue what is a game engine?



    Thank you.
    1. This is a matter of preference.

    2. It's something that makes it easier (ala no more initializing a window, just call a function (CreateWnd())). It just basically makes programming a game much easier.

  4. #19
    * Death to Visual Basic * Devil Panther's Avatar
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    Something that could be reused, in every game i'll ever make?
    "I don't suffer from insanity but enjoy every minute of it" - Edgar Allen Poe

    http://www.Bloodware.net - Developing free software for the community.

  5. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Devil Panther
    Something that could be reused, in every game i'll ever make?
    Yes, but there might/will have to be some changes made when doing that.

    If you go with OpenGL though, there's an engine called Ogre

  6. #21
    Registered User heat511's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Devil Panther
    1. What is better, OpenGL or DirectX, or both. What should I start with?

    2. Can someone please give me a clue what is a game engine?
    1. I think opengl is. nehe makes it really really easy to learn the basics. Ultimately tho you'll probably want to learn both if you really want to get into game programming. I haven't tried directx yet, but the basics aren't too hard for opengl. Just be sure to really take your time on the easy stuff or it will really confuse you later when you have to relearn it

    2. A game engine is all the code that makes your game function. Like all the collision detection, algorithms, enemy ai, and other stuff but not really the graphics or content. For example, a few years ago the quake 3 engine was huge for making games. Games like jedi knight outcast 2 (maybe 1 also, not sure) and i believe the return to castle wolfenstein series were all made in the quake 3 engine. Of course these games are all completely different, but the basecode is relatively similiar.

    Also, not sure who mentioned this, but having binders for stuff is extremely important. If you see a really great article online, don't just read it several times and then bookmark it. Print it and read it on paper and keep it as a reference. A lot of programming (in my opinion) is learning a concept and then remembering your sources so you can study up on it again when you reuse that idea.
    "uh uh uh, you didn't say the magic word"
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  7. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by heat511
    Also, not sure who mentioned this, but having binders for stuff is extremely important. If you see a really great article online, don't just read it several times and then bookmark it. Print it and read it on paper and keep it as a reference. A lot of programming (in my opinion) is learning a concept and then remembering your sources so you can study up on it again when you reuse that idea.
    This is also a good idea incase that document gets taken down, or the website gets shut down, and you really needed that doc/info.

  8. #23
    Registered User heat511's Avatar
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    yea i meant to mention that. a lot of the stuff i have printed i noticed has recently been taken down because the author is working on a book including that information.
    "uh uh uh, you didn't say the magic word"
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  9. #24
    * Death to Visual Basic * Devil Panther's Avatar
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    Originally Posted by heat511
    Like all the collision detection, algorithms, enemy ai, and other stuff but not really the graphics or content
    collision detection?? what type of collision?

    and I know what ai means, but it looks like I'll have to learn for a long long... long!!! time before I could start writing a real game.
    Last edited by Devil Panther; 04-12-2004 at 08:00 AM.
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  10. #25
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    If you want to make a 3D game, while writing your own 3D engine, then yes it will take you an eternity before you can actually create your own game content. OpenGL is easier to learn, but it's an opinion which is ultimately better. They're both good. The only reason I haven't used direct3D is that when I started, I wanted to learn the easiest rendering api. And to be honest, the graphics is the smallest part I'm concerned with. i'm more of the physics person. It gets to the point that which graphics api you use is trivial.

    I suggest *start simple*. You definitely can get good at game programming, but if you jump right in and get overwhelmed then you will never go back. Just remember that the greatest 3D game programmers started out making simple 2D games with simple algorithms, simple engines, simple ai, etc.
    Last edited by Silvercord; 04-12-2004 at 09:01 AM.

  11. #26
    * Death to Visual Basic * Devil Panther's Avatar
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    What do you think of the next learning plan:

    I will start with openGL, trying out some simple things, to gain knowledge and practice + the math.

    Move later to AI (I could use some pointers (sites etc) on the subject.).

    hmm... I think that's it, in general.
    "I don't suffer from insanity but enjoy every minute of it" - Edgar Allen Poe

    http://www.Bloodware.net - Developing free software for the community.

  12. #27
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    anywhere you start is going to be good just as long as you do something that makes you learn. Now, go and actually do something.

  13. #28
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    I will thank you all.
    "I don't suffer from insanity but enjoy every minute of it" - Edgar Allen Poe

    http://www.Bloodware.net - Developing free software for the community.

  14. #29
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    I started 3 dimensional mathematics and programming several months ago, and never regretted it. It can be EXTREMELY hard at times, which is why you should start out with the basics first. Don't look at an entire 3D engine, look at vectors and matricies. Don't look at random terrain generation and 3D clipping, look at OpenGL. Start out simple, and you can gain the knowledge you need as slowly or as fast as you learn.
    Do not make direct eye contact with me.

  15. #30
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    Arrow

    Quote Originally Posted by Devil Panther
    Just one last question. I always hear this: game engine... what does it mean, an engine?
    The game engine is the skeleton of all games that you might program. It handles basic functions that all games have in common. You could compare it to a map editor I think, where you have to input what you want but basics are given to you! That is, initializing stuff such as graphics sounds, and other stuff that needs to go into memory at the beginning of a game. The Engine starts the main game loop, it ends the game and it releases the memory… it’s actually a way of structuring every game into a simple und understandable manner.
    Each engine can be more or less sophisticated, with functions that do a lot for you, such as loading pictures into memory, doing basic sprite collision, providing sound functions,… it all depends on how you program it or how the book programs it for you ;-)

    But before you ask anymore questions, (such as what is the main game loop or so), please check out a book on game programming. Most of the time they have a game engine explained and coded and go over all details about what a game requires. (And how a game differs from a regular program)

    So, I was there once as well, at the beginning where you are.( about 1 year ago) And I can tell you! It is hard. You really need only one thing and it WILL work! :

    PASSION!

    Good luck!

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