Game Development Community

New to Programming

by Mark Grooby · in Torque Game Builder · 08/28/2008 (6:57 pm) · 4 replies

Basically, I bought quite a few things from the GarageGames website a year or two ago. I didn't really get far with anything because I didn't have any programming experience, I was pretty much relying on freebies.

I'd like to make a very simple 2D space shoot'em up kind of game that I could then expand on and make it into something a bit more complex.

I have only a tiny amount of programming knowledge at all. What would be the best way for me to get started?


I have:
Torque Game Builder - INDIE License
Torque X Builder - INDIE License
Sickhead Games: TGB Adventure Kit - INDIE License


Second question. What would be the best program for me to use to create the graphics? I have Illustrator CS3 and Photoshop CS3.


Thanks in advance.
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Torque Owner RollerJesus
Dream. Build. Repeat.
#1
08/28/2008 (8:18 pm)
You have everything you need. Make sure you have the latest version of TGB installed (Check your profile page) and start following the tutorial in this link.

It's a great start. If you're serious about developing your programming skills more quickly, I suggest you pickup Torsion as well, it's gold!

http://www.garagegames.com/mg/forums/result.thread.php?qt=74826

Best of luck,
Patrick

Torque Owner Tyler Slabinski
#2
08/28/2008 (8:23 pm)
Well, start making some small TGB demos... Don't use the behavior system until you understand what the scripts and what everything does.

Here is a small plan. I am not saying you have to do it, but I feel it will help you the quickest:

Follow these tutorials, and remember to make sure you learn and understand every script and line of code:

tdn.garagegames.com/wiki/TGB/Tutorials/Shooter
tdn.garagegames.com/wiki/TGB/Tutorials/Platformer

After that, I suggest you now learn the behavior system and how it works, so follow these:

tdn.garagegames.com/wiki/TGB/Behaviors

After, start learning the Graphics User Interface (GUI) system:

tdn.garagegames.com/wiki/TGB_GUI_Overview

Don't give up! It is a very long page, but once you learn it you will be able to do many things. It may take a few days, but it is worth it.

Now it's time to make a real game! Think of a game idea and then make it. Here are a few suggestions:

A top-down war game
A fast-paced racer game
A platformer game

Now you know a fair amount of the scripting, now it is time to learn the vaster part of coding.

Scripting is when you use the built in scripting language to control the game engine.

Coding is when you make it so that the scripting language can do that stuff.

Scripting language = TorqueScript
Coding language = C++

I suggest learning C++, then some frameworks, such as OpenGL.

After that, you are on your own.

Associate James Ford
Sickhead Games
#3
08/28/2008 (8:25 pm)
Sounds like you are good to go. Start going through all the tutorials, I say! Also, since you have the AdvKit you might as well look over its script, dissect how it works, plus its documentation on TDN.

Torque Owner Mark Grooby
#4
08/28/2008 (11:18 pm)
Thanks for all the help everyone.

Tyler, thanks for the plan and all those links. Should keep me occupied for quite a while.

Patrick, thanks for that link too. Looks like a nice and easy tutorial to get me started. I was planning on getting Torsion soon too, notepad confuses me when everything is the same color.

I found two books I'd forgotten about lying around in my room too. C++ for Dummies and The Game Programmer's Guide to Torque!