Looking to Learn

[Aragoth]

I am extremely n00bish (sorry for the leet) at everything. Lets make that clear. I would like to be able to create a video game (however basic, gotta start somewhere) that has the main components of a game (AI, graphics, some components of a plot). What programming language would best suit my needs?

[djr33]

C++ or Java is like the right path. You could also go with Flash if you wanted a web-based game, though it is more limited, but a bit kinder to work with since it is based in graphics.

If you just want to play with a program, you could try using GameMaker (google it). It's a freeware application that I have used. It's not programming (though you can add programming to each property), but rather visual, and based on events (place an event in the 'if clicked' tab, etc.). It won't offer as many options as you might like and doesn't natively support 3D, though. But it's easy and should get you a fun start, instead of dealing with learning a language for a long time before you can get anywhere.

To create a 'real' game, I'd recommend C++ or Java, though I believe there are other solutions. I think I have heard Ruby tossed around as a good language for games, and there may be some others that are specifically for games, not just a programming language in general.

But wait to get some more opinions and see what makes sense.

[Aragoth]

Alright, thanks a lot. I have previously used RPG Maker XP, which comes as a free 30 day trial, just to see what can be done. Sounds wicked...

[mburt]

I don't think Java would be good for making "program" type games, more/less online web games, just my two-cents.

[djr33]

Well, Java can go either way. It can be used to develop desktop applications as well as applets. That's another direction to look, as well. If you wanted a flash type game, you could consider java applets too. Both have ups and down.

However, C++ may be the better answer. I don't really know more than I have already said, as it's just based on what I have heard and seen people talking about, not personal experience with either language.

[Aragoth]

After having created an extremely terrible short video clip using Flash, I must say that I am incompatible with Flash, in much the same way that Windows is incompatible with EVERYTHING. I'll probably be taking a look into C++, and seeing if I can learn it.

[djr33]

Sounds good. Yeah, flash is kinda weird. But the more you use it, the less you hate it. At least I think so. I haven't used it enough yet :D

[Aragoth]

Can anybody suggest any free compilers?

[Twey]

If you just want to play with a program, you could try using GameMaker (google it).Or Blender (http://www.blender3d.org/). Blender has a built-in game engine, and it's possible (if not easy) to use it to create very complex 3D games.
Can anybody suggest any free compilers?Bloodshed's Dev-C++ (http://www.bloodshed.net/devcpp.html) is a fully-functional IDE that comes with a copy of the gcc C++ compiler, widely considered one of the best compilers available. Other alternatives include Code::Blocks, Toolkit, or Microsoft's own Visual Studio Express (which I believe comes with a compiler, but I'm not entirely sure).

As to what can be done with Java, see Runescape (http://www.runescape.com/) for an example. As djr33 says, though, that could be ported to a "standalone" application very easily (probably with less than five lines of code).

[djr33]

I had no idea that blender can do gaming. That's interesting. It's certainly great for free 3D graphics. I'd say look into that if you want to deal with modelling your own CG environments/objects/characters... a big undertaking, but cool.

[Twey]

Yes, it can even export as a native executable, using OpenGL.