Maximum Torque: The Ultimate Guide to Game Scripting

#1 First post!

I just happened to stumble upon this fantastic piece of software and wanted to find literature that would help me learn how to use it and, honestly, program in general lol.

I'm a total newbie in the game development world but have a horrible urge to learn how. From what I understand this was supposed to be released not too long ago and should be the most current Torque related literature. But I can't seem to find it anywhere. Amazon no longer has it in stock and not even google or ebay turned anything up.

If i'm unable to find this book would "Advanced 3D Game Programming All-in-one" by Kenneth Finney suffice? Or is there another book that I, being oblivious to most programming languages, should look for?

#2 @Ken, I would start out with Ken's first non-advanced book, 3dgpai . Get the second version. I own it and still go through it. It goes through every part of making a game, modeling, animating, scripting, sound, level design, etc. With so many topics it only brushes the surface, but is a great place to start. I still use it for a reference to character nodes and stuff like that.

#3 Yeah I was looking at those titles as well but didn't know which "version" to get exactly.

I was a little hesitant to get the first edition since there were some people saying it wasn't 100% "in order". Meaning some chapters seem to be placed too early within the book. But I'll for sure get the second edition since those errors seem to have been resolved. But then again I wouldn't know if something was out of place until I become more accustomed to the language and program.

I'm trying to do as much research as possible to make sure that this is the program I want to go through with. After reading about DarkBASIC Pro and gameSpace this one seems to be the "all in one" program I need. I was trying to steer clear of the C++ language for starters but realized that would probably be a bad thing to do since I would most likely confuse myself with C++ and BASIC.

Well thanks for the recommendation J.P.

Back to doing more research...$300 is quite a bit of money, but so far looks to be quite a bargain for the capabilities of TGEA.

#4 Ken, if you're wanting to steer clear of c++ for a little while, i wouldn't start with TGEA, i'd instead go with TGE, it's cheaper and more beginner oriented. Although I should say, that with any engine that isn't simply "drag and drop" you're going to spend countless hours staring at the screen wondering how you even begin to make the game do something.

I will say this also, not to try to scare away, but just so you know what you're in for, cause I wish I would have known ahead of time, and yes even knowing I would still buy this engine a hundred times over. But unless you're going to make a basic shooter/racer you are going to almost always HAVE to modify the engine code. So make sure you pick up 2008 c++ express, it's free, and learn how to use the sdk early on.

#5 I know there are quite a few engines that don't rely on C++, such as DarkBASIC, but I am more than willing to learn. Right now I'm an Apple Technician(yeah yeah lol) and I just can't see myself doing that for the rest of my life.

I realize that I should start with something simpler, but that would mean spending more money than I really have after I get accustomed to the software. Besides, I'm the kind of person that, if I can't figure something out the first couple tries you better steer clear, because by God I WILL get it lol.

I've wanted to learn C++ and game design for years and years but never did anything about it. So knowing that would 3D Game Programming All in One still be good to get? Or should I be looking for basic C++ for dummies type books?

#6 DarkBasic, while not C++ because it is a BASIC derivative, requires you to program the engine from the ground-up. Same with Blitz3D. There are a lot of helper functions built-in, but you'll be developing your own engine. Sometimes this is what you want and need to do! Others, it isn't. I'm not a big fan of DB's syntax styling and prefer Blitz3D and BlitzMax. But both communities are top-notch.

Either 3DGPAi1 or GPGtT will get you up and running. But, as Rich noted, you will be diving into the source at some point. But I would recommend learning the engine, understanding its setup and connections, and then learn C++. If you try to do both, you'll be splitting your time between two disparate practices and trying to grasp how each ties into the other. If you start with one, you will be able to see the connections with the other more clearly.

#7 Thanks for all the suggestions and help guys.

I'll download the demo of TGEA when I get home tonight and tinker around with it. From the movie clips that I watched already it seems pretty straightforward in it's functionality, but as you all said I'll most likely have to modify the code to fit my needs, but I'm sure that's far down the road from now.

I'll probably be purchasing 3DGPAi1 since i've read quite a few praises regarding it. Plus it'll be a good starting point for me and Torque.

#8 Getting TGE and TGEA together is actually the same price of TGEA alone because of the "upgrade" discount. So, you can still start with TGE and move to TGEA later.

#9 I thought I read something regarding that but couldn't seem to find anything concrete. If that's the case I might go for TGE to get accustomed to the software and then purchase TGEA later down the road.

I hope the books are as helpful as everyone says they are though since I keep wondering "how would this all work?" all the time lol.

So far I like the menu and features of TGEA but I think I should start slower and then work my way up to the "big guns".

#10 Borders on its site lists this book: Maximum Torque: The Ultimate Guide to Game Scripting - for preorder on July 31st. Just mentioning as some people said they couldnt find it anywhere :)

#11 it's at books a million

#12 Which books a million, I'll call the store directly.

It is not available on the website, just a place holder. Same with Amazon....