Torque 2?

#41 Although all languages do have the same idea, there are some that are easier to learn with then others. Finding resources to learn how to code C++ can be a challenge if you don't know anything about coding. The basic coding languages are basic for a reason, so that they are easier to use. It also means you can do less with them because you have less control over what you're telling the computer to do. I would say the best thing to do is to start small and build little games like hangman and such. Getting little projects done really helps to build your confidence in what you can do. If you have a programming class in your high school, take it.

Also, ask yourself this: Are you trying to learn how to program because your really interested in programming or are you learning because you want to get into games? There is more then just programming to games and if you're more interested in art then pick up a pencil and draw. Doesn't matter how good you are, you don't have to show anyone. Just practice getting stuff down. Draw out some of your game ideas. Draw your dog, your brothers or sisters, your comic books, your .

You want to program, awesome. You want to make art for games, awesome. Either case your making games.

GF

#42 Just thought I'd add to what Greg said - start out small. It doesn't have to be this really-super-fantastic-neato idea - anything will do. Heck, my first game with gamemaker was a variation of the demo it came with: click the balls to rack up more points until the timer runs out. Hell, even pong is a great idea...

hope this helps

#43 I taught myself ASM when I was 13, then BASIC. That was all that was available at the time for the C-64! Man that was a long time ago!

#44 C-64?? u mean N64? what is c-64

#45 Man I feel old!

C-64 - Commodore 64 - back in the early/mid 80's. The 64 had 64K (yes KiloBytes not megs, not gigs) worth of memory.

Myself I learned asm language on Apple IIc which had 128K worth of memory. 16 colors (not 16 bit. 16 colors max - Thats if you counted white and black twice!)

People used to drool over both those machines.

#46 *chuckle* Even I feel old now...

#47 Man, u must feel old. but i bet they did have a lot more character.

#48 C64s rock. I had my first taste of Basic with them... Had the best explanation of an array I ever had from a programming book of the same era, too.

Ahh, memories.

#49 All together now:

"I adore my 64; my Commodore 64."

I first got into game programming using Gary Kitchen's Game Maker.

Although my first taste of programming was using BASIC on a Commodore Pet when I was 8. That was the machine a real man learned on! :o)

- LightWave Dave

#50 Real men learned to program on their toasters... A C64 is the tool of the idle rich. ;)

#51 LOL! :o)

#52 I still have my C=64! And the IndusGT 5 1/4" floppy drive that had a hardware disk write lock and an led read-out of what sector was reading and writing. It was black with a smoke disk door cover on hydralics, it was the shit for hacking back then!

The funny thing is a Single Sided 180kb floppy drive cost $199 US, the C=64 only cost $99! They both used the same processor!

and the disks were like $1 EACH!!!!!!

Where do you think the 64kb demo scene started?

#53 You can program on computers now?

#54 Hey, my CoCo2 (TRS-80 Color 2) is still in my closet. \
Still serial number #0000026 !! ;)

#55 My first computer was a Laser 128 ( Apple IIc clone ), which is in storage at my parents house.

I even had a few computer programming / adventure books.

At the end of each chapter you had to type in the basic program and either beat the game or debug it so it would run.

#56 Hey hey hey enough of that. ur starting to make me feel old. i remember my friends atari. man that thing was cool. pacman and football.

#57

Quote:For the 14 year olds: Start practicing now. Don't wait until you get college, or high school, or whatever. The older you get, the less free time you'll get to do things you think are fun, in my experience.

I can't agree more! As far as where to start, I would play around with some of the free tools out there, try your hand at some scripting, some art, maybe some level design. Try everything and see what you like! I started out doing programming but eventually realized it was the graphics and the art that I was really interested in, so that is where I am now. No effort wasted, though - it is really nice to have a couple years as a computer science major under my belt because even if I don't know precisely how things work in the engine, I am able to communicate with programmers pretty well and understand the limitations of the code, etc.