Thinking of buying TGE/TGEA + Torque3D
by Winston Walker · in General Discussion · 07/02/2009 (8:21 pm) · 7 replies
Okay, well I have been thinking for a month now, and I'm still not sure as to what to buy. I am a beginner to C++ for the most part, although I have found I catch on fast (and will be studying it further over the next few months). Whenever I'm done learning, I do want to buy one engine, but I am not sure which one I would like to buy. Now, I want to work on small, fast game practice projects when I get the engine, but I am wondering which one to get. I'm not quite sure if TGEA + Torque3D will fit my budget, or if TGE will fit my needs. Any suggestions?
#2
07/03/2009 (5:13 am)
TGE is a great engine, I have no idea how much T3D is going to be, but I'd expect it to be A LOT more pricey than TGE. Since your a beginner in C++, best not to invest too heavily too early eh :) 
#3
And then have a play and see how you get on. You won't get the source code with TGE, and will find the tools really awful, so if you find you get on ok with the engine, but wish its tools were better and it had more modern features then T3D is right.
There are upgrade paths from TGE to TGEA to T3D, so it costs no more to buy TGE first and then upgrade to TGEA and then T3D than it does to buy T3D straight up. I bought TGE, played with it for a day, bought TGEA and used that for a month, and then bought T3D primarlily for the tooling.
Matt
07/03/2009 (6:26 am)
T3D is $1000 for the 'pro' license, the basic license is not really worth having. It provides a much more usable toolset, as well as a better engine. My suggestion would be to download a demo of TGE from http://www.garagegames.com/products/tgeAnd then have a play and see how you get on. You won't get the source code with TGE, and will find the tools really awful, so if you find you get on ok with the engine, but wish its tools were better and it had more modern features then T3D is right.
There are upgrade paths from TGE to TGEA to T3D, so it costs no more to buy TGE first and then upgrade to TGEA and then T3D than it does to buy T3D straight up. I bought TGE, played with it for a day, bought TGEA and used that for a month, and then bought T3D primarlily for the tooling.
Matt
#4
Really good suggestions here.
One thing that to me always was very relevant with learning something was the longevity of my acquired knowledge. When starting with TGE, there is lots that will be carried over to any of its successor products, but one will also spend time learning irrelevant things.
As an example, for someone starting out fresh with Torque, I think it doesn't make sense to really get into the whole interior modeling business that has been a staple of Torque game development since its inception. This tech is about to leave town.
Of course, in terms of getting more into C++, modifying any of the engines will be good practice.
07/03/2009 (7:08 am)
Really good suggestions here.
One thing that to me always was very relevant with learning something was the longevity of my acquired knowledge. When starting with TGE, there is lots that will be carried over to any of its successor products, but one will also spend time learning irrelevant things.
As an example, for someone starting out fresh with Torque, I think it doesn't make sense to really get into the whole interior modeling business that has been a staple of Torque game development since its inception. This tech is about to leave town.
Of course, in terms of getting more into C++, modifying any of the engines will be good practice.
#5
@Matt, the readme.html for the TGE Demo says
07/03/2009 (8:44 am)
Well, I have played around with the demo, and I do think I would be happy with it. I guess if I need any of the features in TGEA or later, I can always buy the upgrade later. I'll get TGE for now, and I'll save up more money later if I'm not quite satisfied. Thanks for the help.@Matt, the readme.html for the TGE Demo says
Quote:you get the source to the engine of a major product from a major game publisher! Not possible? Check the FAQ for the details.
#6
Yes, source is included with all GG engine products.
I don't know, but is TGE still sold? I thought it had finally been retired.
07/03/2009 (9:44 am)
Yes, source is included with all GG engine products.
I don't know, but is TGE still sold? I thought it had finally been retired.
#7
07/03/2009 (4:30 pm)
Well, they say they no longer offer support, but it still appears it's able to be sold. 
Associate Ian Omroth Hardingham
Mode 7 Games
Having said that, I doubt you'd be dissapointed with TGE - it's an extremely solid engine which has released hundreds of games.