What i need to get started?
by Jared · in General Discussion · 09/16/2003 (10:24 pm) · 9 replies
Hello,
im very new to the game making world, but very keen to get into it!
i want to make a simple 3d racing game. What i want is to produce a race game like Ridge Racer 1 which was on Playstation 1 many years ago. It seems like a simple game to start out with, i hope ;p
But anyway what i wanted to know was,
1. What are all the types of programes i will need to get to make this?
2. Which programes for each area are the ones i should use?
3. What are the steps i should take. eg. do models, then 3d enviroment, then coding?
Just remember im new so please help.
Thanks heaps
im very new to the game making world, but very keen to get into it!
i want to make a simple 3d racing game. What i want is to produce a race game like Ridge Racer 1 which was on Playstation 1 many years ago. It seems like a simple game to start out with, i hope ;p
But anyway what i wanted to know was,
1. What are all the types of programes i will need to get to make this?
2. Which programes for each area are the ones i should use?
3. What are the steps i should take. eg. do models, then 3d enviroment, then coding?
Just remember im new so please help.
Thanks heaps
#2
www.gameongaming.tk
and post in the forums if you are intrested. Im just trying to help. Have a nice day.
John O'Mahony (GoG founder)
09/17/2003 (12:16 pm)
Hi Jared. I too am very new to "game design". I was wondering if you would like to learn and work together with me? Check out my site at:www.gameongaming.tk
and post in the forums if you are intrested. Im just trying to help. Have a nice day.
John O'Mahony (GoG founder)
#3
but i think im a few steps along already and am prepared to take on my task of making this racing game,
Also thanks John but i have a few things on my plate to do already.
But some one could please answer my questions stated above that would be great.
Thanks guys great place here at garage games
09/17/2003 (3:56 pm)
Thanks Thomas for the advice,but i think im a few steps along already and am prepared to take on my task of making this racing game,
Also thanks John but i have a few things on my plate to do already.
But some one could please answer my questions stated above that would be great.
Thanks guys great place here at garage games
#4
www.gamedev.net
They have a nice article about making games with little to no experience. Even if you have some experience in programming, it is a good read;) Check it out, plus there are a ton of other questions from novice designers there. Hope that helps a little.....
09/17/2003 (4:15 pm)
I recommend going to:www.gamedev.net
They have a nice article about making games with little to no experience. Even if you have some experience in programming, it is a good read;) Check it out, plus there are a ton of other questions from novice designers there. Hope that helps a little.....
#5
You're going to need some help to make a game. Or at least you'll need some help to make a good game. The days when 1 person can sit down and do all the programming, art, music, and everything for a game are over.
Even if you had more experience, you would still have this problem.
Take me for example. I can program pretty well, but I can't make art or music at all. I can try to do some art, but it always looks pathetic. So I need to have an artist and a musician to help me out.
Having additional people with skills similar to yours is only helpful when you want to make a pretty big game though. Or when you're learning.
09/17/2003 (9:12 pm)
Jared: you shouldn't be so quick to turn down John's offer of help.You're going to need some help to make a game. Or at least you'll need some help to make a good game. The days when 1 person can sit down and do all the programming, art, music, and everything for a game are over.
Even if you had more experience, you would still have this problem.
Take me for example. I can program pretty well, but I can't make art or music at all. I can try to do some art, but it always looks pathetic. So I need to have an artist and a musician to help me out.
Having additional people with skills similar to yours is only helpful when you want to make a pretty big game though. Or when you're learning.
#6
I just looked at your bio. Your skills are designer and 3d artist.
You absolutely must have a programmer to make a video game. If you do not, there won't be a game, only a bunch of art. So you definetly need to team up with someone.
You could make some sort of scenario or something with an existing game engine. Your questions kind of suggest that that's what you want to do.
09/17/2003 (9:15 pm)
Woah!I just looked at your bio. Your skills are designer and 3d artist.
You absolutely must have a programmer to make a video game. If you do not, there won't be a game, only a bunch of art. So you definetly need to team up with someone.
You could make some sort of scenario or something with an existing game engine. Your questions kind of suggest that that's what you want to do.
#7
i have a friend who is a 3d modler, and another friend who makes music, so i my base's covered there.
but just wanted some advice on where to go what to use etc...
thanks for the replys guys to see a good group of people here :-)
09/17/2003 (9:18 pm)
I would love to take up his offer but as i said i have a few things on my plate at the moment,i have a friend who is a 3d modler, and another friend who makes music, so i my base's covered there.
but just wanted some advice on where to go what to use etc...
thanks for the replys guys to see a good group of people here :-)
#8
Is very true. Before all you needed was a "Apple II" comp, some pizzas, and some soda to start a business. WITH ONE PERSON!! Now a-days, it takes some work..........a LOT of work. Once again, remember I will always be here to help. This is a great opportuity for the both of us:) You know where to find me................later.
09/18/2003 (1:07 pm)
Well Jared, if you ever need the help....I am here;) I myself would love to find another novice in the exciting world of game design. Unfortunately as Steve said, "The days when 1 person can sit down and do all the programming, art, music, and everything for a game are over."Is very true. Before all you needed was a "Apple II" comp, some pizzas, and some soda to start a business. WITH ONE PERSON!! Now a-days, it takes some work..........a LOT of work. Once again, remember I will always be here to help. This is a great opportuity for the both of us:) You know where to find me................later.
#9
Try reading something like Game Coding Complete
Which is a great book for anyone that want to make a computer game. I got it for one specific chapter but the rest of the book is full of what I would consider "common knowledge" wisdom on the pitfalls of game development, but as you have illustrated in your original post, you don't know what you don't know, a good book like Mr. Mikes will benefit you greatly.
09/18/2003 (2:03 pm)
Those questions you are asking are so basic and so fundamental, that most of the seasoned developers on this forum are going to be hesitant to spend the time on something so simple.Try reading something like Game Coding Complete
Which is a great book for anyone that want to make a computer game. I got it for one specific chapter but the rest of the book is full of what I would consider "common knowledge" wisdom on the pitfalls of game development, but as you have illustrated in your original post, you don't know what you don't know, a good book like Mr. Mikes will benefit you greatly.
Torque Owner Thomas \"Man of Ice\" Lund
First off you need to be realistic regarding the goals for the first game, then subtract 75% off again for shooting over the target. It is _HARD_ making a game - even if you start off with pac man.
Which is what I would suggest you do! Start off with a small (VERY small) game. Tetris, Pac Man, Asteroids or similar. Just get the feeling for the amount of work and knowledge involved.
Half way through your first projekt you will discover that you completely lack knowledge in area x,y,z so then you go out reading articles on the net, buy a book to read about the subject, browse existing open source game code etc.
IF!!! you ever get done with your first game, then its all about scale. Work yourself up from there - slowly adding a little here or there.
What I would suggest you do instead, is that you team up with an existing project. Find someone who is working on a game similar to what you like (in this case a racer), and who would love to have some help. Believe me - a LOT of projects would love to have a helping hand. But everyone starting up seems to want to make "their own" game instead, failing in the process. Making a game is a team effort!!!!
From a technology point of view (which I think was your intended question) - it depends a little on what level you are (experience wise) with coding. If you are completely new to coding, then start off with a easy language like Java (dont believe the ppl saying you cant code games in Java - just a matter of what kind of games). Once you know this, you can go into C++ and waste your time on pointer management etc.etc. ;-)
With a compiler (be it C++ or Java) you can get cracking. No further software is a "must have". Nice to haves are source revision systems (like CVS), debuggers, profilers.
The last suggestion for you is to NOT code the low level stuff, but learn e.g. scripting in a 3d engine. Example Torque. Produce some 3d models, get them ingame and script.
I do hope this helps a bit.