If you are interested in starting games programming here are some ideas and tutorials. Do you know which computer language you want to use? If so here are some tutorials for the following languages:
If you have not decided which language to use here are some ideas:
Other pages on this site which are relavent:
- options - types of simulation and choices.
- data structure - how do we model the data.
- scenegraph - an example of a simulation data structure.
- examples - some examples about when to choose simulation types.
mjbWorld
From my point of view it would be great if you could help me develop mjbWorld into a really good game programming environment. If you can see a way that you can help me improve it please let me know.
Other Free software
Blender
I find Blender not a very user friendly program, so again this may not be an environment for those new to programming. Also I don't use Blender because its not compatible with VRML and X3d.
It has something called GameBlender which allows you to program games using Python scripting.
The Official Blender Game Kit: Interactive for 3D Artists
External links:
sdlBasic
If you want to program simple 2D games using Basic, this open source project is a possibility:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/sdlbasic/
If you try this I would be interested to hear any reports about how good it is.
Commercial Games creation software
This type of software can help you get going very quickly, however there is a danger in learning programming from this software in that you could pick up bad programming habits which might be hard to unlearn later.
Dark Basic
This uses a BASIC like scripting language with command to load and move objects to make your game work. Microsoft DirectX (.X) 3D models can be loaded into your program.
Operating system Windows 98.
The Pro edition is much better than the standard. I think this would be a good choice for beginners. Comments from Giles here.
Dark Basic Professional Edition - It is better to get this professional
edition
|
Blitz
This has more C++ like script language and therefore it may take longer to learn than Dark Basic but it can also be more powerful than Dark Basic. Please let me know if you have any experience using it. Microsoft DirectX (.X) 3D models can be loaded into your program.
Operating system: Windows 98
Blitz is based on BASIC programming language. Blitz Basic is 2D only, Blitz3D
adds 3D commands.
3D Gamemaker
The 3D gamemaker - Allows simple 'shoot-em-up' type games to be built without
any programming from the elements provided. You can use your own characters in
the game, provided you can find a way to build them in Microsoft .X file format.
The 3D Gamemaker
3D Gamestudio
This has three levels of games creation:
- 'Click together' games in the level editor - for simple games, like shooters
- Program effects or games in C-script - for ambitious beginners
- Program effects or games in C++ or Delphi - for experienced programmers (this requires add on pack to be purchased plus separate compiler)
Game Programming Starter Kit 5.0 - This includes Standard edition of 3D Games studio Version 5 above (no Terrain and geometric LOD) and book
Div Games Studio 2
This is DOS based and would only be of interest for reto-gaming.
DIV Games Studio 2 adds 3D. DIV 2 uses a specially designed coding language, claims
to require no previous knowledge of programming. Intended for RPG’s and 3D
shoot’em ups. New features in DIV 2 include 3D with environment editor, network
play and over 130 new commands.
Operating
System: DOS.
Key Design Centre
Key Design Centre 3D
- http://www.gametutorials.com/
- http://www.digitalgamedeveloper.com/
- http://www.gamedev.net/
- http://www.zillions-of-games.com/
- http://www.idigicon.com/ Blitz Basic 3D
- http://www.fasttrak.co.uk/ DarkBASIC and DIV Games Studio
- game design FAQ
