Is Torque Game Builder for me?
by Tim Granda · in General Discussion · 10/27/2006 (12:18 am) · 7 replies
I'm an artist with zero programming skills that is highly interested in learning how to create a videogame that can eventually be played on a PC, Mac, & Xbox 360. Below is a "sketch" of the type of side-scrolling game I'd be interested in creating & I'm curious if the Torque Game Builder software will allow me to do that. I'm not looking for any feedback and/or attention in regards to the art, just if it's possible with TGB. Thanks for your time!
#2
To answer your question directly: TGB is for you. That mockup could be done very quickly in TGB.
10/27/2006 (11:37 am)
It's definitely possible (and TGB is probably the easiest it can get), but (as David said) you're going to have to learn some scripting, depending on how complex the gameplay is. There are tons of tutorials for TGB that will get you started and tons of other resources (here and TDN) that will help.To answer your question directly: TGB is for you. That mockup could be done very quickly in TGB.
#3
10/27/2006 (12:09 pm)
Another suggestion is to try to hook up with a programmer and trade art and programming to benefit both your projects. Try posting a blog with a screenshot of your art and I'm sure you'll get some interested parties.
#4
So which language should I learn... C++ or C#?
I'm imagining the gameplay will focus more on puzzles, such as using one item to affect another, activating buttons/switches, or performing a series of actions to "open" up a new area.
Though it appears that there are three characters, for all intents & purposes it will actually be just "one". For example, when you move them across the screen with your keyboard/controller you'll actually be seeing just a single animated walking sprite. "They" would each be capable of performing a unique task though - perhaps one would push/pick-up things, the character with the beam on his head could use it to detect hidden objects or enemies, & the other... who knows? :)
10/31/2006 (5:19 pm)
Thanks for responding, fellas. I downloaded the demo this past weekend & ran through a few of the tutorials, which surprisingly had me understanding the very basics of the code a bit more with each lesson. When my trial runs out I will surely be buying myself a copy.Quote:It should definitely be possible. You will have to get your hands dirty with scripting (and with TorqueX on the 360, you will have to get them dirty with C#), but it's definitely possible.
So which language should I learn... C++ or C#?
Quote:How complex is the gameplay? Download TGB and go through the included tutorials and you should be able to get movement, "lighting", etc going. Since I see three characters, would it be similar to Three Dirty Dwarves, where each character has a specific ability and you have to use each one to solve puzzles/finish the level/etc? Regardless, I like the look of it..
I'm imagining the gameplay will focus more on puzzles, such as using one item to affect another, activating buttons/switches, or performing a series of actions to "open" up a new area.
Though it appears that there are three characters, for all intents & purposes it will actually be just "one". For example, when you move them across the screen with your keyboard/controller you'll actually be seeing just a single animated walking sprite. "They" would each be capable of performing a unique task though - perhaps one would push/pick-up things, the character with the beam on his head could use it to detect hidden objects or enemies, & the other... who knows? :)
#5
10/31/2006 (5:35 pm)
If you purchase the professional edition, then you should bone up on C++. If you are planning on porting it to TorqueX and XNA for the 360, then you will want to learn C# (as XNA and TorqueX are in C#).
#6
10/31/2006 (5:57 pm)
You don't need to know any C++ to use Torque Game Builder, just learn to use TorqueScript. Torque Game Builder is what you will be using to make your game for PC and Mac. You will need to learn C# if you want to get your game on the 360 because then you will be using TorqueX. Honestly, if you can learn to use TorqueScript, you will have an easy time learning C#.
#7
C# is the programming language that XNA uses, and you'd probably need to learn some of it if you want to use Torque X. However we don't know how much C# coding will be needed in Torque X since the Beta isn't even out yet.
10/31/2006 (5:59 pm)
You can probably make any game you want in TGB by using Torquescript and without even going near C++. Modifing the engine is just to add your code directly into it without using scripts so that your game runs faster.C# is the programming language that XNA uses, and you'd probably need to learn some of it if you want to use Torque X. However we don't know how much C# coding will be needed in Torque X since the Beta isn't even out yet.
Employee David Montgomery-Blake
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