A Person Learns Game Development 3 (TGE)
by J L · 12/31/2008 (3:28 am) · 2 comments
This time I will discuss the stuff I learned about models and milkshape, terrains, code, and of course the headaches that come with it.
First lets get the models out of the way. I have several models that are animated already. I have licenses to several models that I can use and want to use in this game plus I have some I made. My downfall is that I can't do textureing or animating nor can the one modeler I have, of course he is a good modeler though.
Case #1
After reading through some forums about exporting animations what I have is very horrific, maybe even disturbing (see screenshot), so I think I will wait until such time that I can find someone who can do the exports for me
Case #2
My mh-6j sits grounded until someone who can animate and texture the lil fella. I hope to get it in game before I have to go back on the road driving truck, just don't think it is going to happen though. So if any animators / texturer want to give it a shot I would be more then happy to share this with you.
Case #3
Terrains, ahh yes terrains, I learned that you have to stretch the terrain in the world editor inspector cause the Torque Game Engine (TGE) has tiling in effect and you can only do upto a 2km square map. with the limits of the engine. This makes it hard but not impossible for the game 174 Studios is making.
Case #4
The code, well what can I say. I have the Combat Starter Kit which is really a great value in itself, but problems is that they stripped out the AI stuff from the scripts and I really Really Really wanted to use the AI Guard resource for my game, problem is I can't seem to grasp the stuff of where to put the code in at. I wish I could but then again I am a truck driver first and of course unless I am showed stuff, I may as well for get it.
Synopsis:
You need a team who is going to help you and stick with you thick and thin. Don't buy Torque thinking it is a game ready to be made in a box cause thats what I did when I first bought it almot 2 years ago and I am just now getting around to acctually playing with it. I have made a great progress on Take Down Online such as getting some other resources in, different terrain file etc, but don't let that fool you cause it is hard........ for me at least but I won't give up. I refuse to give up.
First lets get the models out of the way. I have several models that are animated already. I have licenses to several models that I can use and want to use in this game plus I have some I made. My downfall is that I can't do textureing or animating nor can the one modeler I have, of course he is a good modeler though.
Case #1
After reading through some forums about exporting animations what I have is very horrific, maybe even disturbing (see screenshot), so I think I will wait until such time that I can find someone who can do the exports for me
Case #2
My mh-6j sits grounded until someone who can animate and texture the lil fella. I hope to get it in game before I have to go back on the road driving truck, just don't think it is going to happen though. So if any animators / texturer want to give it a shot I would be more then happy to share this with you.
Case #3
Terrains, ahh yes terrains, I learned that you have to stretch the terrain in the world editor inspector cause the Torque Game Engine (TGE) has tiling in effect and you can only do upto a 2km square map. with the limits of the engine. This makes it hard but not impossible for the game 174 Studios is making.
Case #4
The code, well what can I say. I have the Combat Starter Kit which is really a great value in itself, but problems is that they stripped out the AI stuff from the scripts and I really Really Really wanted to use the AI Guard resource for my game, problem is I can't seem to grasp the stuff of where to put the code in at. I wish I could but then again I am a truck driver first and of course unless I am showed stuff, I may as well for get it.
Synopsis:
You need a team who is going to help you and stick with you thick and thin. Don't buy Torque thinking it is a game ready to be made in a box cause thats what I did when I first bought it almot 2 years ago and I am just now getting around to acctually playing with it. I have made a great progress on Take Down Online such as getting some other resources in, different terrain file etc, but don't let that fool you cause it is hard........ for me at least but I won't give up. I refuse to give up.
#2
Ok, sorry couldn't resist:)
Game developers walk a fine line. They have to produce games that support the higher level cards and graphics to support people like me who want them, yet they also have to provide fallback graphics to allow people with lower end cards like you have to play the game as well. Not being able to play it in even its lowest graphics settings means your system does not meet the minimal specs?
As far as game development and TGE or any engine for that matter, GG had a good link for people who wanted to get into game development and outlined things to watch out for. In this case, I think it is taking in a project that is too large. Instead of trying to tackle all aspects of modeling/exporting/scripting/coding you should probably look at finding what you are good at and spending time developing that area. Then look for other to team with to help in the areas you need. For instance for me, I have done 3D modeling for years with my real job, and my side job and hobby has always been programming, but I do more programming now than anything, so that is my area of concentration. I have teamed up with some guys who need a programmer and they are very talented modelers.
As far as textures... Well, lets just say so far I have given up in that area. Still play with them, but I am no artist and I only know a few colors:)
Have you considered finding the area you are good at and then teaming with another team to build those skills, and hopefully build a relationship where you can pull their talent to help you on your game? For noobs in the game world working with others is a plus. Find a MOD team on a game you like and offer support.
As for TGE/TGEA being a game in a box, it is not. But that is also not saying that a single person can not develop and publish a game. I plan to and simply pull help in the areas I need, even if that involves paying them (or bartering).
If you want to learn scripting/coding there is nothing wrong with the graphics you have above, and nothing wrong with using them like that for a demo.
Good Luck... And keep the never give up attitude, it will server you well:)
12/31/2008 (9:52 am)
http://www.goarmy.com/Ok, sorry couldn't resist:)
Game developers walk a fine line. They have to produce games that support the higher level cards and graphics to support people like me who want them, yet they also have to provide fallback graphics to allow people with lower end cards like you have to play the game as well. Not being able to play it in even its lowest graphics settings means your system does not meet the minimal specs?
As far as game development and TGE or any engine for that matter, GG had a good link for people who wanted to get into game development and outlined things to watch out for. In this case, I think it is taking in a project that is too large. Instead of trying to tackle all aspects of modeling/exporting/scripting/coding you should probably look at finding what you are good at and spending time developing that area. Then look for other to team with to help in the areas you need. For instance for me, I have done 3D modeling for years with my real job, and my side job and hobby has always been programming, but I do more programming now than anything, so that is my area of concentration. I have teamed up with some guys who need a programmer and they are very talented modelers.
As far as textures... Well, lets just say so far I have given up in that area. Still play with them, but I am no artist and I only know a few colors:)
Have you considered finding the area you are good at and then teaming with another team to build those skills, and hopefully build a relationship where you can pull their talent to help you on your game? For noobs in the game world working with others is a plus. Find a MOD team on a game you like and offer support.
As for TGE/TGEA being a game in a box, it is not. But that is also not saying that a single person can not develop and publish a game. I plan to and simply pull help in the areas I need, even if that involves paying them (or bartering).
If you want to learn scripting/coding there is nothing wrong with the graphics you have above, and nothing wrong with using them like that for a demo.
Good Luck... And keep the never give up attitude, it will server you well:)
Torque 3D Owner J L
I just bought a well known game, it is actually part of a trilogy and lets just say I am disappointed. This game has terrible support. Hell my vid card Nvidia 6200 wont even run it. This is my problem with developers and publishers today, they don't care about the gameplay anymore, they just care about how much eye candy they can get in and how much money they can make. Screw the eye candy and bring back playable games, if i wanted life like war action I would go in the army.