Gaming Languages

(eRRoLfLyNN) #1

What would ppl recommend to start making / modding games?

Is there any place in that industry for a jack of all trades?

(Salteh) #2

You mean as in programming?

I’d say C++ nowadays :slight_smile:
Unless you’re modding Quake 3 / ET, then you’d probably have to learn C. :moo:

(kamikazee) #3

Got that feeling as well.

(AltDas) #4

Latly I have been using DarkBASIC Pro, it is very simple and you can do amazing stuff.

(jimb0) #5

It depends on what you’re trying to do and where; the question is too vague and no one can give a straight answer.

If you’re trying to mod games, then you’ll have to learn what each game engine uses, usually its own script language - most of the times with close ties to C/C++ or using other standard like Lua. The compilable game code (for games such as ETQW and D3 and Q4) is also C/C++.

Now if you’re trying to create games, you’ll have to use whatever the platform you’re wanting to achieve uses - usually, again, C/C++ or even director, flash, j2me, etc.

(leifhv) #6

For making games I would say that C++ is what you should learn. I guess that C is still being used here and there but if you know C++ you won’t have any problems understanding C if the need should arise. If you’re planning on doing modding it depends on the game, but once again C++ will often be usefull to know.

(On the other hand, C++ is on it’s way out when it comes to other areas of software development. Except for games and systems software, most new programs are written in C# (or another .Net language) or Java. Still, if you learn C++ the transition too C#/Java won’t be to hard so the effort won’t be wasted.)

If you’re only planning on making smaller ‘amateur’ games DarkBasic or similar languages are good alternatives but I doubt that those kind of languages are used much by professional game developers. Still, some kind of scripting/high level language (Python, Perl, Lua…or DarkBasic maybe?) might be usefull to know for making small tools (conversion, texture tools, level tools etc). C# or Java are also good alternatives for this kind of tasks.

Well, I don’t work with game development but I’m pretty sure the answer is ‘No’. (Unless you’re talking about amateur work or so called ‘independent game development’.) Game development is a highly specialized area now. You have designers, programmers, gfx artists, modellers, mappers and sound people…but I’m guessing you’ll seldom find a person that does work in more than one area…and never in more than two areas. Even each profession are divided further into sub areas of expertice. (Programmers -> Engine programmers, game logic programmers, tools programmers…).

All AFAIK. :stuck_out_tongue:

(seven_dc) #7

Well I am working with Java nowadays. You can do decent OpenGL stuff. And Java is fast to learn and easy to code.

Sell vaporizers

(Loffy) #8

Check out the web game Phosphor, created with Macromedia Director… “The Shockwave Player allows the game to run within a web browser on Windows and Mac OS computers…”

http://www.rasterwerks.com/game/phosphor/beta1.htm

(SniperSteve) #9

yeah, i ran across that game yesterday, its quite good.

(carnage) #10

but I’m guessing you’ll seldom find a person that does work in more than one area

i dont know. look at the SD creditsand i think some ppl pop up one or two times. If any company was going to have ppl doing more then one job i would gess SD bacuse of there moding backgroud

in an industry i would expect to have ppl bought in to specialise in different areas but in modding you often find the border bluring to keep up with demand and staff constraints

(eRRoLfLyNN) #11

Yea, I thought as much with all the points above. I suppose the amateur outfits try to get everything done by anyone who can do it, whereas pro companies can afford to be more selective & try to get ppl to specialize in certain areas.

And language wise, I’ve been doin some reading and C++ seems to be what most recommend to get into for a start.

Anyway, I appreciate the replies! :slight_smile:

(SCDS_reyalP) #12

If you learn one programming language well, picking up others isn’t that hard. If you want to get into ‘serious’ PC or console games (as opposed to web based, flash or mobile phone stuff) then C/C++ is the obvious choice. For any sort of 3d games coding, a strong math background is a big bonus.

(psyco_mario) #13

o.O
www.gamemaker.nl
O.o

(Sauron|EFG) #14

Learning a programming language is only the first step on a long journey. :slight_smile:
Knowing C/C++ may be enough for modding, but if you’re really serious you’ll also need to learn some other stuff like a graphics API (e.g. OpenGL), a sound/music API, network programming, OS specific APIs, and so on…

(digibob) #15

I like to write everythig in Esperanto.

(Dazzamac) #16

mmm Esperanto’s, Best kebab in belfast imo. :stuck_out_tongue:

(leifhv) #17

What would this forum be like without all the insightfull and informative postings from the SD team… :rolleyes:

(digibob) #18

A much better place.

(eRRoLfLyNN) #19

lol :moo:

(Shallow) #20

Every PC and console games programmer I know in person uses C++ nowadays. C# is something Microsoft seem keen to push so some of them are looking into it. Java is pretty much unused in games outside of web and phones (although I worked on a cancelled PS2 title where for some reason we were using Java as an absurdly bloated scripting language). Proprietary games languages like DarkBasic are OK for hobby programming and learning programming principles but I’ve never seen anyone get hired because of mad DarkBasic skillz :stuck_out_tongue:

Er,so basically what reyalp said: Learn C++. I’ll shut up. I’m a designer turned artist so what do I know about programming anyway.

It’s useful to have skills in a variety of areas but pushing yourself as a jack-of-all-trades is risky. Decide on what you want to mainly do and mention that you can help out in other areas as needed. Being seen as having diverse skills is an advantage: Being seen as having unfocused skills is not.