Getting started at Game Development

Question

Hello, I want to get started at game development. I have read a lot of articles, but didn't get far. I'm studing computer science and have experience in C++, one semester in Java, .NET, (even assembler, but I won't start with that^^)

I want to develop "small" games, like Tetris and later on some kind of jump and run.

I would like to work with visual aspects ("game GUI").

I read a lot of opinions but I don't know whether to start with C++, C#, Java , I've also read about DirectX and Flash. (I have no problems to learn a new language.)

and I didn't find nice tutorials.

--> which language, tutorials?

Thanks in advance,

Tyzak

Answer 1

I would recommend XNA. It is a .NET framework for making games on Windows, Xbox 360 and Zune.

It is easy to get started and you can make small games like Tetris within a very reasonable time frame. I have used it to make a couple of Xbox games for my son.

There's plenty of information available to get you started. A good starting point is the education section of the XNA Creator's Club.

Additional info in this question: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/575646

Answer 2

Since you have some experience with C++, follow the tutorials of ClanLib or SFML. I am hearing good things about both of them.

First get something very simple working. A program that draws a black screen is a good starting point, then add an image, make it movable, etc. Only after you have the fundamentals working, start thinking about a game.

Answer 3

+1 for XNA. If you use something like IronPython for scripting, you have basically a full toolkit right out of the box.

Answer 4

For quick results, Flash and AS3 scripting is good to go. AS3 articles can be harder to find, but there is a good book - the Flash Game University.

Here's a list of recommendations for language/platform-library pairings

• C#: SDL.NET or XNA - both are high level abstractions of input and graphical libraries
• C++: There are many, including ClanLib, and SDL, among many others. You can even find a curse library and write a roguelike.
• Java: Java has a number of 2D engines, and there's the Java Monkey Magic engine for 3D games programming.
• Others: Unreal scripting, Unity3D featuring JavaScript/Boo/C# scripting

Of course, obligatory link to the mega-game-resources site: GameDev.Net