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How to be a game programmer and developer?

Asked by GüntherJung,

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GüntherJung

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Hello :) .I am new in this forum and i am really interested in programming.I really want to learn to program with Cuda, C++ you know. I want to make my own game engines and 3D games with stunning grafiks. I saw really interesting things in the Nvidia developer zone like Nvidia PhysX SDK, OpenGL, OpenCL, DirectX and many other stuff. I want to learn how to program with them and for what and how can i use it? What i must learn first? From what i must start? What book's i must read of i am new to software and game programming? I am really confused. Thank's :D .

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Mulrian

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You can't seriously be thinking that if you just 'learn' this and 'learn' that via a couple of books then you'll be able to suddenly create complex 3D games.

Before you can even start to even think about 3d games you have to know a proper language such as C++ or C# inside out. Perhaps then when you are really serious about this and have some useful knowledge, will you be able to start to make games.

Don't just think that if you read a couple of books you'll easily be able to make games. It takes years of learning even to produce simple graphics - nothing close to Assassins Creed or whatever you think you will be able to make

You may get their eventually but start of with the basics and then move onto games programming when you have yourself a proper foothold.

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+John Teacake MVC

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OK heres the deal, If you make a game engine by yourself come and see me and I will get it licensed for you. These things cost and make millions and are done by teams. Heres a tip . . . Get ANY chart game and look at the credits, Can you count how many names there is?

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Xerax

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Id start on C# with the XNA Framework, http://create.msdn.com/en-us/home/getting_started, and using the tutorials on Indie MSDN, http://create.msdn.com/en-US/education/. Then move onto C++ in a year or 2.

I started VB 3 years ago, then after a year moved onto C# and then just recently started to learn C++. It's a good way to go, imo.

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fhpuqrgrpgvirzhpujbj

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Id start on C# with the XNA Framework, http://create.msdn.c...getting_started, and using the tutorials on Indie MSDN, http://create.msdn.c...-US/education/. Then move onto C++ in a year or 2.

I started VB 3 years ago, then after a year moved onto C# and then just recently started to learn C++. It's a good way to go, imo.

+1

VB->C#->C++ was the path I took and it's worked out great. Currently on the team for a game on Steam and working on another.

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Alladaskill17

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Take programming classes.

Read those books, read other books.

Take art design classes.

Don't under any circumstance try and create your own engine especially for your first project. Learn how use one of the (great) current engines. Some come with a fee but are worth it.

Unreal SDK

CryEngine (public*?)

Source

others mentioned as well

my 2 cents

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GüntherJung

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Ok i see how hard is to program game engines and that stuff. I think i will start from simple games like 2D Tic-Tac-Toe. I am now reading C++ for Dummies and its great. I think it's too early to think for 3D game engines.For now i will learn C++ and working with UDK, but i don't know how to learn fully UnrealScript. There are 2 books for UnrealScript, but i can't find them anywhere for download. They are UnrealScript Game Programming All in One and Mastering Unreal Technology, Volume III: Introduction to UnrealScript with Unreal Engine 3, but i've heard that Mastering Unreal Technology, Volume III: Introduction to UnrealScript with Unreal Engine 3 will not be selling, but i am not shure for that. For the other stuff for UDK i have really good video tutorials more that 120 videos i think and in it you can learn many things like the User Interface pf UDK, working with Phat (The Unreal PhysX Editor) and many pther things. I have 2 books for beggining level design in UDK and advanced level design in UDK. They are Mastering Unreal Technology, Volume I and Mastering Unreal Technology, Volume II. And one guy say that i must see the credits of a game. Don't worry, i have seen the credits of Assassins Creed 2 and what i can say is that: WOOOOOOOOW HOW MANY PEOPLE XD. And for Crysis 2 i have just no words. They have 3000 people working on Crysis 2 :woot: .

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Andre S. Veteran

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You should really know a general-purpose language like C++, Java or C# before delving into UnrealScript. All the tutorials I've seen assume the reader has prior programming experience.

UDK is a ready-made engine and game development tool. You only code the "game logic" and let UDK handle all the rendering, physics etc. It's completely different than learning, say, C++ with SFML or C# with XNA, which are low-level and force you to develop almost everything from scratch.

I think UDK is going to be a steeper learning curve than even C++. Not saying it's a bad choice, but just wanted to let you be aware of this. Here's the UnrealScript language reference, essential (although far from sufficient) document.

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Soulsiphon

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+1 Same path here.

I was Java->C->C++->C#->Survival code learning :D

I don't think anyone can go wrong learning C/C++ and/or Java right off the bat. I also would argue that assembly - x86ASM for example, would also be highly recommended EARLY on.

Id start on C# with the XNA Framework, http://create.msdn.com/en-us/home/getting_started, and using the tutorials on Indie MSDN, http://create.msdn.com/en-US/education/. Then move onto C++ in a year or 2.

I started VB 3 years ago, then after a year moved onto C# and then just recently started to learn C++. It's a good way to go, imo.

Sorry about the time with VB ;) Really, I hate VB so bad and I feel sorry for any of my friends that actually get paid to write and maintain it and lulz when I hear stories of others who were raised on it.

But, C# before C++? Seems like a lame way to break into OOP. I mean, get a feel for the STL and OOP with C++, then move onto the fresh stuff. Whatever I guess as long as it worked for you.

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Andre S. Veteran

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Sorry about the time with VB ;) Really, I hate VB so bad and I feel sorry for any of my friends that actually get paid to write and maintain it and lulz when I hear stories of others who were raised on it.
VB6 or earlier, maybe? Since VB7 the language is almost identical to C# (except for the syntax of course).
But, C# before C++? Seems like a lame way to break into OOP. I mean, get a feel for the STL and OOP with C++, then move onto the fresh stuff.
Funny you would say that, since C# is much more object-oriented than C++. The STL in particular is not object-oriented at all. Its author, Stepanov, famously said: "STL is not object oriented. I think that object orientedness is almost as much of a hoax as Artificial Intelligence. I have yet to see an interesting piece of code that comes from these OO people." (http://jroller.com/idealog/entry/oop_and_c_stl)
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Boz

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What to say that hasn't been said..

I will just say that for the most part.. the modern type of languages mostly rely on OOP (object oriented programming) principles.. so you have to learn those.. That's really very important step in being a programmer..

Second, as AgentGrey said, you really need take computer science classes or at least watch videos and read books that will introduce the basic principles in addition to programming logic and software design patterns such as MVC (Model View Controller).

So with this.. I won't repeat what was said but give you a hint where to start:

Stanford has free video classes in Computer Science.. you should watch this on iTunesU if they have them or watch Stanford classes online on Youtube or look on their site. There are lectures that will guide you through their mandatory classes as if you are attending them but they are free... You will definitely need these to continue to the next step..

These are mandatory classes for Stanford's computer science degree.. it's the basis of everything you will learn after that and a great place for you to start.

Programming Methodology (Stanford)

Lectures:

http://www.youtube.c...tanford%29&aq=f

Programming Abstractions (Stanford)

Lectures:

http://www.youtube.c...tanford%29&aq=f

Programming Paradigms (Stanford)

Lectures:

http://www.youtube.c...tanford%29&aq=f

When you watch all these..

Get a really good book about Object Oriented Programming and principles (there are good sites too that will give you a lot of information).. this is very important to understand because most modern languages as I mentioned are OOP and having a great understanding of it will allow you to adapt to different languages very fast (despite different syntaxes).

After that as others have suggested you will be ready to take on C++/C# and those books about Game Development.. it gets a lot easier then.

Hope this helps.

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GüntherJung

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Ok i will watch these videos, but first i want to ask everyone some stuff. I have the full source code of the Quake 3 Engine or id Tech 3 engine(they are the same) and i want to ask how to use it? I mean how to make a game with it and comply the code? What i must know? C++ i think, but what from C++? I will not use UDK soon, because my system is so slow. I have a Dell Latitude D610 and a PC with 1.8GH processor, 1GB of ram and a Geforce 8600GT GPU, but i use my PC in Summer, because my computer is far from me. I mean in an other city and my laptop is with me. So QUAKE 3 Engine is just perfect for Dell Latitude D610 and i really love the games made with that engine like Heavy Metal Fakk2 and yea.So can anyone help?I mean answer my questions :p ?

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iuerg87yerg879e0rg9erugjer

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lol i am afraid that you are going to have to do a bit better then just a few weeks of programming, to even understand and to properly use a game engine takes a while to get into, suggest you keep programming basic stuff for the moment until your confidence and understanding has shown results, and not jump the gun so quickly.

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GüntherJung

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Yes of course, but can i learn everything that i need from these books:

C++ for Dummies 5th Edition,

The C++ Programming Language-Special Edition,

C++ for Game Programmers,

Programming game AI,

Game Engine Architecture,

3D Math Primer for Graphics and Game Development,

Beginning C++ Through Game Programming,

3D Game Engine Programming and

Game Engine Toolset Development

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iuerg87yerg879e0rg9erugjer

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Yes of course, but can i learn everything that i need from these books:

C++ for Dummies 5th Edition,

The C++ Programming Language-Special Edition,

C++ for Game Programmers,

Programming game AI,

Game Engine Architecture,

3D Math Primer for Graphics and Game Development,

Beginning C++ Through Game Programming,

3D Game Engine Programming and

Game Engine Toolset Development

no reason not to , but good luck going through all those books...

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Tews

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If you are serious about making this a career, you're going to HAVE to get a degree of some sort, before any company is even going to look at you... They receive applications daily from people with degrees ( some multiple degrees ) and you expect to be considered because you've read some books?? I don't think you're being very realistic about your career path my friend..

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