what do i need to make a game?

[Sinouxy]

what do i need to make a video game? what softwear do i need to purchase to make a full computer 3d game? links would be great.

[perj]

if you dont know what is needed your not going to be able to do it. trust me, you're not going to want to make games knowingwhat is involved, just make a flash game with actionscript

[Jessii]

At 2/9/06 03:21 PM, perj wrote: blah blah blah bs

Way to discourage the guy! Dude who posted this what type(s) of games do you want to create? If you don't know how to program at all, then start off with visual basic & html, then go to c++ and php and java. Then you'll decide what type(s) of games/applications you want to create.

[FPSinsanity]

1. A compiler or IDE:
The compiler is what takes the code you type and turns it into a program. An IDE or Integrated Development Environment combines a text editor, compiler, debugger, makefile, and other resources into one user-friendly package. There are many languages that have the ability to code games, including C++, Python, Java, C#, etc. Personally, I have used C++ and it has treated me well. There are two free IDEs for C++ that I know of: VC++ Express Edition and Bloodshed Dev C++. I lean towards Bloodshed's product.

2. A graphical or game engine:
A graphical engine is what allows you to draw to the screen. OpenGL and DirectX are the two graphical engines that spring to mind. DirectX is not only a graphical engine; it handles sound, music, and input as well. OpenGL, to the best of my knowledge, only handles graphics. They are both free downloads whose links can be found on Google.

3. Multimedia Tools:
To make the actual multimedia for your game, you need programs that can create graphics, sound, and music. Paint is a popular (and free option), but there are other free graphical programs like The Gimp and Paint.NET.

4. Lots (and lots) of time:
Good games are not built in a day or a week. They are the product of percise planning and months (if not years) of hard work. Don't exprect to create a great game right off the bat. This is a warning from experience.

[Ravens-Grin]

5. Patience

[Afro-Ninja]

At 2/9/06 03:21 PM, perj wrote: if you dont know what is needed your not going to be able to do it. trust me, you're not going to want to make games knowingwhat is involved, just make a flash game with actionscript

after all the questions I've seen you ask you come here and tell someone they just flat out can't do it? I'm sorry have you made any games recently?

[CT-Frog]

If you want to learn some 3d stuff, openGL owns (so does directX, but I like openGL). Go to nehe.gamedev.net for some awesome openGL tutorials. To use openGL you need the header files (the stuff that has the #include <blaargh>). You can get those from openGL.org.

[CT-Frog]

like a noob, I forgot to say, use C++ for the openGL and directX.

[BasV]

And if you want to make a certain game; don't strart on it; wait 'till you're sure you can make it. Programming is something you gotta learn first. I recommend you to use c++, but the easyest way to do it is using gamemaker, a program designed for making games; It's very easy to use but also capable of making comlpex games. - www.gamemaker.nl (english page)

[DryIceClock]

At 2/9/06 11:14 PM, CT_Frog wrote: use C++ for the openGL and directX.

You can also use VB .NET for directX. Thats what I use.

[Craige]

At 2/9/06 11:14 PM, CT_Frog wrote: like a noob, I forgot to say, use C++ for the openGL and directX.

He could also use C if that is what he gets into.

[Ryan-dansie1]

At 2/9/06 10:08 PM, Afro_Ninja wrote:

At 2/9/06 03:21 PM, perj wrote: if you dont know what is needed your not going to be able to do it. trust me, you're not going to want to make games knowingwhat is involved, just make a flash game with actionscript

after all the questions I've seen you ask you come here and tell someone they just flat out can't do it? I'm sorry have you made any games recently?

Okay the gyu asked how do you make a full length 3D game. First off if he is expecting to be able to make a full length 3D game straight off without any knowledge of programming so he is going to be pretty dissapointed when he finds out how much work it will be. Secondly how many experienced programmers do you know who have managed to make a full length 3D game by themselves.

To the guy who posted the original question sorry i do not mean to sound patronising i was just replying to AfroNinja. I would suggest C++ with DirectX for Graphics and 3D studio max for creating the graphics. I wouldent put your hopes too high though so you should just try to learn some basic programming in an easy to use language like visual basic/pascal etc. When you think you can do it just try to make a couple of little arcade games which will give you a feel for it. If you are still interested after that then i would suggest the book "tricks of the game programming gurus" and its follow up book. It assumes you know C++ or C but it is a very worthwhile read for anybody trying to learn how to make games.

[atomican]

Id go with c++

If you want you can buy a copy of half-life 2 and make your own mod, which takes a lot of work out but theres still a lot of programming and other work if you want it to be unique.