Question about the program "Torque"

#1 1. What languages does it use for the programming?
TGE/TSE/T2D are written in C++ and changing the internals of the engines make C++ programming knowledge necessary. On the other hand, it also uses TorqueScript, which is a C-styled scripting language for game logic and such. You do not have to know C++ to make use of TorqueScript. 3D Game Programming: All in One makes use of TorqueScript exclusively.

2. Does it come with code snippets that can be used?
You get the complete code to the entire engine. It also includes starters for a FPS, a racing game, and a demo so that you can learn camera manipulation and resources. Download the demo to see what the binary that compiles from the engine has in store.

3. When you buy this program, how does it work? Do they ship a fancy box and manual with cd to you? Or do you just download the exe?
You get it in an archive for your OS (bin on linux, DMG on mac, EXE on Windows).

4. Is it hard to work with the program? Is it hard to make the scripts for it?
It's easy to work with an make scripts with any text editor. It's much harder to make a full game simply because game development isn't easy.

5. Are you able to make a multiplayer game that can run on a server and lots of people can play on a map against each other?
It support up to 128 players out of the box in a fast-action setting. That can vary widely with bandwidth and hardware, though.

6. Can a novice/novice with some experience in game dev. use this program without going into a tantrum?
It depends. I've seen novices pick up Torque and make some excellent things with it. I've also seen professionals who have used other engines for a long time throw tantrums. So it depends on you and how much you're willing to work and learn.

7. If you already have Torque, do you recommend it?
Definitely. I've chosen it over any other engine under $1000 and open source options. It's an excellent engine with a great community. But, you will get out of it what you put into it.

#2 Here is my reply which I shall title "The Noob leading the Noob" ;-)

1. The core engine is coded in C++, but much of the game logic is written in a C/C++ like scripting language. You can make some pretty major changes to gameplay without ever recompiling.

2. It comes with a full example/demo game (actually two) and project files for various compilers.

3. You get it via download. Updates are released occasionally and you get those by download as well.

4. that's two questions, so two answers: 1) Somewhat - its a very big program, there is a lot to learn. 2) Not really, scripting is fairly easy if you are familiar with C++ or similar OOP languages.

5. Heck yes, see Tribes2 for example - 64 player servers on four year old hardware.

6. No, if the forums are any indication - Semi-joking but it is a lot to absorb for a new guy.
Seriously, buy Ken Finney's book "3D Game Programming All in One". It is the best resource a beginning torque programmer can buy.

7. I have torque and recommend it.

If you buy torque, buy the book. It doesn't go into the C++ code, just scripts but it teaches you everything you need to make a complete game with Torque, including modeling, level and map editing, animating, creating new vehicles, player and weapon models, GUI, startup scripts and more.

#3 David covered all your questions very well, so the only thing that I want to emphasize is that Torque, in any of it's forms, is not easy. It will not make your game for you, and depending on what you want to do, may take anywhere from 2 months to a year before you are comfortable with all aspects, enough to accomplish what your questions seem to imply--a relatively complex game.

That being said, just like any other highly complex application: the more you put into Torque, the more you get out of it!

#4 Thank you for answering my questions so quickly! Looks like Torque is going to have a new customer soon, that is once i save up some money.

Cholly, nice title "The Noob leading the Noob" HAHA, i love it... you can't really say im a noob, i am at this program. I used 3D GameStudio before. Hope this is better.

So as i see it uses C/C++ and this "TorqueScript" is like a simplified version of C++ for Torque?

Also one last question i want to add on. Can someone make a good games like: Final Fantasy, Dungeon Siege, Counter Strike, America's Army, and all the others with this program?

Because i am interested in making a action/adv RPG/MMORPG game like Dungeon siege, and also a First Person Shooter like CS and AA.

And thx again!

#5 Just to touch back on what I said--you can do pretty much anything with Torque, but you absolutely need to be willing to put the work and effort into it.

At it's root, Torque came from the engine that powered Tribes and Tribes 2--so yes, you can make games "like" that. They aren't going to be showing up in a playable format for quite a while however--there are projects here that have been actively engaged for more than 3 years and still aren't released. There are also projects that are playable, and in fact quite fun (especially T2D ones, we have an extremely high quality T2D game already released--look at the Snapshot of the Day in the upper right hand corner!), that took between a month and a year.

Games, no matter what platform you use, don't come easy!

#6 Slightly off topic: You could download the demo and start changing the scripts and models and start creating your game, while saving up enough money to buy a license. Just to learn more about it, and see if it really is the engine for you.
That's what I'm doing at the moment.
And I also recommend the book.