Scripting Tutorials

#41 I have both Torque 1.4.2 and A7 (3D Gamestudio), but I am currently using A7 to make my game. The A7 lite-C language allow you to make a variety types of game, it is not a mod to any pre-define games. 3D Gamestudio has the reputation that it is a click and create engine, because they have a template system for beginner to create a game from template quickly.

Torque has build-in the behavior in engine, if you need something special, you need C++ skill to modify the source. Torquescript is really limited.

A7 has build-in behavior in Templete, but it is up to you to make a completely different types of game simply use the lite-C. The engine is not open source, but if you have C++ skill, it is still extendable if you use the engine SDK with C++.

I forgot mention the tutorial. Most of the tutorials are written across different version A5/6/7, but since A7 still support old C-script, I found most tutorials still run fine in A7, you can find the tutorials in their AUM (Acknex User Magazine).

#42 A7 is Conitec's new version of 3D game studio. Like the starter kits with Torque, 3DGS's templates are starting points. You will have to learn C-Script (renamed Lite-C) or TorqueScript for either one. Some people find one or the other easier to learn. They are both actually quite simple if you have any c-styled programming background (and can be rather complex if you have no programming background).

I am an advocate of using the right engine for the right purpose for the right team. If A7 gets it done for you, then use it. If Torque does it, use Torque. If GameMaker or Unity or BlitzMax or DarkBasic or a homemade DirectX 10 from-scratch engine does it, then by all means make your game. And let us know about it and keep us up to date.

Being part of the GG forum structure, we are (of course) interested in Torque games, but we are avid fans of indie games regardless of engine. Make your games and use the tech that best fits you and your project. And let us know.

#43 Well... there is no doubt that GG have the documentation for TGE very very poor... Tutorials are almost non existing... but the ones that exist and of course that are updated to 1.5.2 are very good. The problem in here is that we all know that after more than 2 years without a massive revamp to this big problems of TGE, is certain that that will never will be a mediocre/good documentation/newbie tutorials for TGE that are in fact updated...

We still have some ones for 1.5.2 that are great (thanks to the comunity). But TGE is not for newbies in programming. Don't espect to do something in TGE without good programming skills because we will be so lost that will hurt :P

#44 Thats not entirely true. You do not need good programming skills to use TGE. It does not hurt to have some programming skills but it is nowhere near a requirement.

There are many things that can be done with TGE that do not require anything other then modification of scripts to accomplish.

While torque is not going to hold your hand and provide you a click three buttons you've made the next best FPS/RPG game. It does provide you with alot of power that your not going to get from a GameMaker engine.

People errounisly look at Torque and compare it to DarkBasic / GameMaker / ect. When in reality there nowhere near the same things. Torque can be more easly compared to the Unreal engine and crysis (I'm not talking on a graphics standpoint - but a pure concept to creation standpoint). You are provided with a engine and a community that has extensive experience with the engine. Where you go from there is upto you. While unlike the Unreal or Crysis engine for Torque your not paying $300k+ to get access to it. The downside that your not paying $300k is that you dont get instant access and hands on training from the creators.

The point is when it comes to TGB / TGE / TGEA theres a crapload of information and help out here. Its just a matter of if you want to look for it or if you want it handed to you on a silver platter or not.

Just with TGE theres more then enough information and examples to make any RPG / FPS / Space Combat / MMORPG / Platformer / Puzzle Games. There are resources that cover all of them areas. Ageain you have to look for them. Some of them may not be as easy as download and drop to get them working but they are there and with a little actual work on your part you can get them in and working.

#45 On the programming side, it might be useful to point out early on the benefits of using professional (but still free or nearly free) tools like C++ and TorqueScript IDE's with debugging capabilities, source code control, the ShowTool, automated build procedures, installers, etc. (Art tools are another topic. Hopefully T2 with COLLADA support will be a great leap forward.)

If you are just starting out programming, it might not be immediately obvious why spending the time to learn to use these tools is so productive.

#46 I'm a web coder scripting PHP, ActionScript and JavaScript. Is it very hard to learn torquescript? Never had much time to learn it, but it's about time after 4 years now^^