Information request: Torque GameBuilder

#1 Hi Chris, I'll try and answer these the best I can:
1) The software is a game maker in essence. You import images, add them into the game, and through the use of behaviours give them methods and properties.
2) There is some ready made art, and behaviours, so you could make a simple game from the box, but it would be very simple and probably won't do what you want it to.
3) Not exactly what you mean here. In theory evrything is possible, as long as you can code it in, though importing new models or images would take some work.
4) An art program to make the images or models, and somthing for sound if you game requires it.
5) You animate the characters by either making it out of several frames, like a .gif, if it is 2D, or in your modeling aplication if it is 3d.
6) Yes it does, the .dts used in TGE.
7) It is a game engine ;)
8) C++ is needed to modify the engine, although that probably won't be needed. Most of the coding is in torqueScript, which is like C++.
9) Not used ActionScrpit so I can't say, but any coding experiance will help.
10) Follow the tutorials and it's not too hard to get going. You can get a decent side scroller going in less then a week for example.
11) If you modify the source then yes, but the torqueScript is complied by the TGB when it loads it.
12) Only limit is your skill and imagination :D.

The best way to answer these questions is to DL the trial version and have a play. A lot of your questions will be answered that way.

#2 "Can a user create characters, and backgrounds within the software? Or will the user be required to build everything in external programs."

This might be better worded... Does torque game builder have a way of editing or creating the "sprites" for the game?

also what files are supported?
.gif, .jpg, .obj, .3ds ??

Can a user make a puzzle type game or a FPS? Or something like MYST?

Thanks again for your time

#3 No you can't manipulate the sprites in the game itself. You could however with a bit or work import sprites into the game while the game is running.
I think PNG,BMP and JPEG are the supported files, but I may be wrong. In 3d it is only dts, but you can convert to dts from many other files (obj and 3ds for example).
You can make a puzzle game for sure, many have already been made. But not a FPS, its a 2d engine mainly, for FPS the TGE, or TGE-A, are your best shots. Unfortunately not played myst, but generally for 2D go TGB, for 3d go TGE/TGEA.

#4

Quote:What 'exactly' does the software do?

Torque Game Builder is a 2D game engine. You should check out the product page (and download the demo!) to get a better idea of what it is.

Quote:Can a user create characters, and backgrounds within the software? Or will the user be required to build everything in external programs.

You would have to create that functionality, which would require coding in TorqueScript. While you can have sprites (2D animated images) and backgrounds and such, what you want to do would require coding. There is an editor with TGB, but it is designed for making games. You would have to make your "game" and then allow people to customize it with the editor if that was your perogative. Most likely, you would want a C++ source license to create an editor that is specific to your application.

Quote:What external programs would be needed?

Something to create artwork, such as GiMP or Photoshop or Paint.Net. Something to create sound effects such as Audacity or Sound Forge. Torsion is a great coding tool with debugging features for TorqueScript.

Quote:Does it animate the characters?

You can set up sprites and animate them, yes. But it's not really a "character" system. You would have to code that. It is a "generic animation system".

Quote:Does this program support 3D files (if not is there an upgrade available?)

There is very limited 3D support (no lighting, and the models are flat-rendered).

Quote:Is a game engine required?

It is a game engine. You compile an executable.

Quote:What type of coding is required for the software? C++, Visual Basic, Basic, ActionScript?

For engine modification, you would need C++ skills and Visual Studio/XCode. For TorqueScript, you just need a good editor such as Torsion or CodeWeaver. It is a C-styled language so familiarity with Actionscript will be a plus.

Quote:Will having advanced skills in Flash ActionScript be an advantage in learning the coding language?

Yes, having c-styled language skills would be a plus.

Quote:What is the learning curve for a new user?

It is somewhat hefty, though *much* lighter than with TGE. Coding practices and the ability to build the application that you need are required.

Quote:Does the coding require a compiler?

TorqueScript is compiled by the engine. The C++ code requires Visual Studio or XCode (Mac).

Quote:Are there limits on the type of games a user can create?

Fast-action networking would have to be integrated into the engine. But otherwise you aren't limited by much. What type of games are you trying to make? That's probably a better question to see if it matches up.

#5 A rudimentary Myst-like would be possible, and using the start/end frames from a Theora video make movement transitions in video a possibility...but I wouldn't like to be on that end of the Theora stick.

EDIT:
For a FPS, TGE or TGEA would be the direction you would need to take since they are 3D engines. As I stated, the 3D support in TGB is very limited. Of course, doing a representational 3D environment like the Bard's Tale games is possible.

For full-motion video (ala Myst), you would need to convert your file formats to Theora, the cross-platform solution in the Torque engines, and massage the code to make it work in the way you need it to.

#6 Don't you think that Adobe Flash would be better choice for such games? You will be able to post them on your website, and they can be played in any browsers. Besides, Flash doesn't require too much skills to make quick games.