What are the key tools and steps it takes to make a 3d video game?

Question

What are the key steps and tools it takes to creating a 3d video game.

For example, I understand that a 3d artist will create 3d models in 3d Studio Max, or Maya, but where do these models go from there? Are the 3d models first animated by a 3d animator in 3d Studio Max/Maya? Then do these models along with the animation loops get sent to the C++/Lua programmer?

When a programmer is programming the game, how do they see the effects of the code they are writing? Do they have Maya/ 3d Studio Max open as they are coding? OR do they have a 3d game engine open to view the results of their code tweaks?

Also, what are the languages that are currently considered industry standard for video game dev? C++, Lua? MS Visual Studio?

Answer 1

Are the 3d models first animated by a 3d animator in 3d Studio Max/Maya?

Yes, often. There may also be motion capture which is typically cleaned up in this software too. The models and animations may be exported into an intermediate format and then conditioned, and converted to an ingame format. The exact process varies from studio, to studio and the tech base they utilize plays a big part in defining this process.

When a programmer is programming the game, how do they see the effects of the code they are writing?

Typically in the game or the engine they are working with. They may also work within a test framework which compares functionality and results with expected functionality and results. Doing this they can find problems and progress.

Also, what are the languages that are currently considered industry standard for video game dev? C++, Lua? MS Visual Studio?

There is no specific answer. For AAA studios they still use a lot of C and C++, in studios developing Casual titles you'll probably see more C#, Python and Java and other higher level languages. LUA is often used for scripting but is not generally used for the whole product, there are exceptions however.

Visual Studio is just an IDE. Yes it's very common, particularly because many plugins exist for using it when developing for PC, Xbox 360 or the Playstation.