Thread: General Advice (RTS Game)

Hello everybody.
I am currently exploring the idea of making a game, I've always liked RTS games so this seems like a suitable candidate. However, I have no knowledge of how games are made etc... I have a habit of throwing myself in the deep end you see . I am comfortable with C++ and windows programming (win32 api).
I am currently looking at nehe's OpenGL tutorials, It will take me a while to get my head around all that, but I'm sure, in time, I'll get it.
So, what I'm trying to ask is, if I were planning to make a RTS,
is it 2d or 3d? when I play games like Age of Empires, I get the impression that it's all 2d, but the scewed images make it look 3d. Am I right?
If it is 2d, is OpenGL really necessary, or could it possibly be done using the Windows GDI?
and finally, do you think I'm crazy for trying this? is it destined to fail? Is having no knowledge of how games work/are made going to be a big problem? any links would be great.


Any advice you can offer will be appreciated.
Thanks everybody.

Hi,

So, what I'm trying to ask is, if I were planning to make a RTS,
is it 2d or 3d?

For a first major game I would suggest 2d.

I think that Age of Empires I & II are 2d while AoE III is 3d, although I'm not sure.
Screenshots of AoE III here:
http://www.ensemblestudios.com/

If it is 2d, is OpenGL really necessary, or could it possibly be done using the Windows GDI?

You would need OpenGL.

do you think I'm crazy for trying this?

No, from what I've seen the programming of an RTS is quite simple with two exceptions: AI and network support. You probably won't even have to worry about network support unless your really serious about this project.