just starting

[106498]

I know some basic java and was wandering if anyone could tell me what would
be the best thing to do next.

Eventually I want to make a 3d game but that'll take
some time.

Especially tutorials would be good.

[appel]

First of all, you need is committment, and realization that game programmer is all about hard work.

I've always recommended new people to start study the game-concept itself, and the long hard walk to make a complete game.

2D games are simple and should provide you with enough experience to start 3D programming. Knowing the problems with 2D makes you appreciate the solutions of 3D, and vice versa.

I recommend you start reading about the topic of game programming, game loops and the basics of rendering a object on the screen, moving it around and stuff like that. Perfect tutorials would be SpaceInvaders (don't know URL, google it "java space invader").


1. Study game-concept, the game-loop.
2. Study Java2D.
3. Go through tutorials, like spaceinvader.
4. Study how to make your own game; writing a game-story, how the game is supposed to be, the enviroment, user input, etc.
..
x. 3D programming in Java.

[beowulf03809]

To add to Appel's post...

#5.  Write your own basic game. 

It's one thing to go thru totorials for SpaceInvader, PacMan, Asteroids, etc and THINK you understand it all. It's something else when you start trying to apply it on your own.  Let's say you've done those tutorials and think you have a good grasp of the basics.  Now try to apply that to make a very basic game of another type, such as a side scroller, top-down-shooter, whatever.  If you weren't playing games in the 70's & 80's and have trouble visualizing a "basic" game (primative by today's standards ) try to google for atari 2600 games.  Pick one that looks cool and try to reproduce it to some degree.  Maybe get creative if you want, but the key part is to get it done.  It's a real eye opener to see what you are still not strong in.

Until you can produce a complete, small scale, simple game there will be a lot of extra effort involved in working on anything larger or more elaborate.  Not only are the lessons learned in making a game soup-to-nuts invaluable, but the sense of accomplishment will give you the confidence you need when you work on the next level of game.

Games published by our own members! Check 'em out!

[106498]

thanks guys

[106498]

Oh, I found the tutorial

the url is http://www.cokeandcode.com/spaceinvaderstutorial

[Jeff]

I just wanted to add a few quick things:

(1)  Youve got a GREAT attitude. I lvoed it when you wrote that you knew you couldnt jump straight to 3D.  Its amazing how many people show up here with statements like "I've never written a game before, but I have this idea for a game like WOW only better..."

(2) The coke and code tutorials I thinka re very good.  They were written by oen of oru regulars here.  They are at www.cokeandcode.com.

(3) For a first game, pick something simple.  Classic games are good (Pac Man, TANKS, Space Invaders, Asteriods) because they are pretty small, self-contained projects thatnonetheless will make you leanr the basics that all games are based on.

(4) As you get working on the tutorials and/or designign yoru own game, pelase feel free to come back here and ask questions.

(5) There are some decent Java games books out there, but no one really terrific all around text. As you approach specific areas I can probably recommend things.  Once you get past the "how Java works" stage then the techniques are the same whether its Java or C++, and there are some good books out there written for C++ that are fairly easy to translate IF you also know C++.  If you dont, then reading them could be tough...