C
by Chris · in Torque Game Engine · 03/22/2007 (9:41 am) · 14 replies
Do you have to be proficient in C++ in order to use the Torque Game Engine? Could a complete n00b learn C++ programming while making a game with Torque?
#2
So, really...it depends.
03/22/2007 (9:50 am)
It depends on the game, the person, their willingness to learn, their work ethic, how quickly they pick up algorithms and programming practices, whether they need any not-in-the-box solutions, etc.So, really...it depends.
#3
There's a lot you can do with script, but you'll eventually get to the point where you will need to make engine changes. You can learn the basics enough to implement the existing resources easily enough, but eventually, you'll want to pick up a good book on C++ and learn it, it's good to know.
03/22/2007 (9:51 am)
Do you need to know how to paint to paint?There's a lot you can do with script, but you'll eventually get to the point where you will need to make engine changes. You can learn the basics enough to implement the existing resources easily enough, but eventually, you'll want to pick up a good book on C++ and learn it, it's good to know.
#4
03/22/2007 (10:21 am)
Thanks for the replies, guys. I'm not opposed to learning C++. But do I need to know it backwards and forwards before I can start building a game with Torque?
#5
03/22/2007 (10:33 am)
Like I said, you can pick up the basics along the way to implement resources... but beyond that, you will need to actually know C++. Now whether or not you need to know if forwards and backwards depends on your task. If you just want to add a new shield energy component, then you just need to know enough to copy all existing energy code and rename it to shieldsEnergy, if you want to create a ground tunneling vehicle, you will need to know a lot more.
#6
03/22/2007 (11:10 am)
Thanks for the help, Tim. Do you think I'd be better off investing my money in a C++ programming class before I even attempt to make a game? I know the Internet is brimming over with C++ tutorials. But are any of them any good?
#7
it really just depends on what kind of game you want to make and how much it deviates from the standard torque build.
03/22/2007 (11:27 am)
Chris you don't need to know C++ backwards and forwards just to start building a game. You can just use script without ever touching the c++ code. but you will need to know how to program either way.it really just depends on what kind of game you want to make and how much it deviates from the standard torque build.
#8
If you want an engine that requires a little less C++ experience than the others, go with Torque Game Builder. It has built in editors that allow for more game play creation than TGE or TGEA. Eventually, yes you'll have to get your hands dirty with some C++, but if script programming will be your first task.
"Teh internets" is your friend, and is full of useful tutorials.
03/22/2007 (11:48 am)
If you aren't already in a school learning programming, don't pay to attend a night class. Put that money toward books about programming and website memberships that give out C++ tutorials.If you want an engine that requires a little less C++ experience than the others, go with Torque Game Builder. It has built in editors that allow for more game play creation than TGE or TGEA. Eventually, yes you'll have to get your hands dirty with some C++, but if script programming will be your first task.
"Teh internets" is your friend, and is full of useful tutorials.
Quote:
Read. Read code. Code
#10
more important than knowing C++ or the particular language involved
is knowing the basics of programming itself.
you may not need to work in C++ to get stuff done in TGE,
but you *definitely* need to work in TorqueScript,
which means you should understand basic things like data structures, for next loops, etc.
also,
i'd recommend getting the book "The Game Programmer's Guide to Torque" from amazon,
as it comes it with TGE and you can do quite a bit of development just in script.
03/22/2007 (12:24 pm)
As with any project involving programming,more important than knowing C++ or the particular language involved
is knowing the basics of programming itself.
you may not need to work in C++ to get stuff done in TGE,
but you *definitely* need to work in TorqueScript,
which means you should understand basic things like data structures, for next loops, etc.
also,
i'd recommend getting the book "The Game Programmer's Guide to Torque" from amazon,
as it comes it with TGE and you can do quite a bit of development just in script.
#11
Only if you went to Full Sail . . .(some how that remark is gonna come back to bite me on the ass, I just know it).
03/22/2007 (12:25 pm)
Quote:
Read. Read code. Copy code. Paste code.
Only if you went to Full Sail . . .(some how that remark is gonna come back to bite me on the ass, I just know it).
#12
Copy code. Paste code. Complain on forums when code does not work, especially with pesky things like #includes or frameworks that the original code was making use of (or explaining in the first place!).
"Okay... I added the PhysX libraries to my project and recompiled. I have fully working integrated physics, right? You see, my problem is that I didn't get any errors, but I don't see any of the advertised properties in the GUI..."
03/22/2007 (12:33 pm)
The one I hate is:Copy code. Paste code. Complain on forums when code does not work, especially with pesky things like #includes or frameworks that the original code was making use of (or explaining in the first place!).
"Okay... I added the PhysX libraries to my project and recompiled. I have fully working integrated physics, right? You see, my problem is that I didn't get any errors, but I don't see any of the advertised properties in the GUI..."
#13
http://www.gameinstitute.com/packages.php
03/22/2007 (12:49 pm)
Michael, thanks for the advice. What about the Game Institute? Do you think their Foundation Studies Package is worth the money?http://www.gameinstitute.com/packages.php
#14
The selling point will be how good their textbooks are, what their "interactive instruction" lessons are like, and what others have to say about it. One thing we noticed, the curriculum and topics are pretty similar to what Full Sail's curriculum teaches.
Worth the money? That's a tough call. . .I'd see what you are capable of learning on your own first, and if you can't quite do it yourself, then look into resources such as that.
03/22/2007 (1:13 pm)
Me and a co-worker went to the website and were reading over it. Honestly, you'll have to find some first hand accounts from people who have used it. From the outside appearance it seems like it covers a lot of good topics. The first two C++ modules cover a lot of what you need to learn. On the other hand, the C++ Primer Plus edition (about $100) covers the same material.The selling point will be how good their textbooks are, what their "interactive instruction" lessons are like, and what others have to say about it. One thing we noticed, the curriculum and topics are pretty similar to what Full Sail's curriculum teaches.
Worth the money? That's a tough call. . .I'd see what you are capable of learning on your own first, and if you can't quite do it yourself, then look into resources such as that.
Torque Owner Stefan Lundmark