looking for a place to start...

"Kevin Meier" <kevinmeier@cox.net> wrote in message
news:%iOLa.346207$3n5.25377@news2.central.cox.net. ..
> Hi, my name is Kevin and I could use some help from someone that knows a
lot
> about programming for games.
>
> My Sister and I would like to develop games. We want to create a game for
> the gambling industry. You know the new type of slot machine, that uses
> multi-row options and you can choose how many coins you want to bet, as
well
> as the type that will take you to a new level that you can choose from
whats
> behind this door or that door type of things.

Are you talking about a computer game or an embedded application (IE
actually running on real gambling hardware?) If you're talking about a
computer game, I reccomend you check out "DarkBasic". This is the quickest
way to get you're game made.

> Also another game, for systems like Playstation.

For this you're going to need to become a master at C++. Seriousley, you
will spend probably the next 5 years MINNIMUM studying to get good enough to
do what you want... Of course, along the way you'll make lots of things that
are not what you really want...

> I do know this is not an over-night learning process. That is all I know.
> I am very good with the tecnical sides of things and have my A+, MCP, and
> MOUS master certifications. I have gotten those certifications on my own
at
> home. And have been building my own computers for many years.

I think most good programmers mostly teach themselves. You can learn a lot
in college, but you definatley won't learn it all. In fact, you NEVER learn
it all.

> But when it comes to programming I'm a newbie. I live in Las Vegas, and
> when it comes to computer schools we are lacking. They are of the mind
set
> to get you enrolled, teach you as fast as they can, try to get you
certified
> and out the door.
>
> I like to learn and absorb things, and as much on hands training as
> possible. Does anyone know of a good way to start.

Build a fairly low end machine and install red-hat linux. It includes G++,
which is the GNU C++ compiler. This is a good environment to learn on. The
best graphics library for C++ on Linux (it's actually cross platform, the
same code can be imported into Visual Studio and built for Windows) is SDL.

> I did not know if we would need a program like 3D Studio Max for the
> animation, or anything, so I really could use some good information.

Not for a long time. And that is a whole seperate skill that will take years
to master. Making games is NOT easy. Even making EASY games is hard.

> We are going to have to get a loan to get started, but it is something we
> have wanted to do for sometime now and are not getting any younger. I
guess
> you could say this is our one chance at reaching for our dreams.

I wouldn't get the loan. You guys are SOOOO far away from where you wan't to
be, the loan is out of the question at this point... Unless of course you'd
use the loan to pay a programmer to do what you wan't... Even then though,
you'd probably not be very good at evaluating the skills of a programmer,
and might pick someone you shouldn't...


Tony

>
> Please help if you can.
> Sincerely,
> Kevin

Don't take out a loan just yet. Start making clone games first like pac man
or breakout jsut to get used to making games. Then you will see just how
much time is needed. As far as 3d studio max and graphic software. 3d max is
a whole beast in its self and probably takes just as long to learn as C++. I
would download free models from the internet until you get good enough at
coding. I am not sure if it is realistic to do the artwork and the coding
for a game in a reasonable amount of time. Although anything is possible. My
best advice is do not invest alot of money at this time. I understand your
eagerness but the knowledge is what you need and it doesn't cost anything to
get that just your time and effort.

What you do need is a "Compiler" - I use MS visual C++ studio 6.0. That cost
me some loot but there are free ones out there if you do a search. Some
useful links are: www.codeguru.com www.gamedev.net www.idevgames.net
www.darkbasic.com ; Enjoy the journey get some coffee and turn on your
answering machine.



"Tony Di Croce" <iaretony@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:a8d39d8b55f8919a126caee27241ffc9@TeraNews...
>
> "Kevin Meier" <kevinmeier@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:%iOLa.346207$3n5.25377@news2.central.cox.net. ..
> > Hi, my name is Kevin and I could use some help from someone that knows a
> lot
> > about programming for games.
> >
> > My Sister and I would like to develop games. We want to create a game
for
> > the gambling industry. You know the new type of slot machine, that uses
> > multi-row options and you can choose how many coins you want to bet, as
> well
> > as the type that will take you to a new level that you can choose from
> whats
> > behind this door or that door type of things.
>
> Are you talking about a computer game or an embedded application (IE
> actually running on real gambling hardware?) If you're talking about a
> computer game, I reccomend you check out "DarkBasic". This is the quickest
> way to get you're game made.
>
> > Also another game, for systems like Playstation.
>
> For this you're going to need to become a master at C++. Seriousley, you
> will spend probably the next 5 years MINNIMUM studying to get good enough
to
> do what you want... Of course, along the way you'll make lots of things
that
> are not what you really want...
>
> > I do know this is not an over-night learning process. That is all I
know.
> > I am very good with the tecnical sides of things and have my A+, MCP,
and
> > MOUS master certifications. I have gotten those certifications on my
own
> at
> > home. And have been building my own computers for many years.
>
> I think most good programmers mostly teach themselves. You can learn a lot
> in college, but you definatley won't learn it all. In fact, you NEVER
learn
> it all.
>
> > But when it comes to programming I'm a newbie. I live in Las Vegas, and
> > when it comes to computer schools we are lacking. They are of the mind
> set
> > to get you enrolled, teach you as fast as they can, try to get you
> certified
> > and out the door.
> >
> > I like to learn and absorb things, and as much on hands training as
> > possible. Does anyone know of a good way to start.
>
> Build a fairly low end machine and install red-hat linux. It includes G++,
> which is the GNU C++ compiler. This is a good environment to learn on. The
> best graphics library for C++ on Linux (it's actually cross platform, the
> same code can be imported into Visual Studio and built for Windows) is
SDL.
>
> > I did not know if we would need a program like 3D Studio Max for the
> > animation, or anything, so I really could use some good information.
>
> Not for a long time. And that is a whole seperate skill that will take
years
> to master. Making games is NOT easy. Even making EASY games is hard.
>
> > We are going to have to get a loan to get started, but it is something
we
> > have wanted to do for sometime now and are not getting any younger. I
> guess
> > you could say this is our one chance at reaching for our dreams.
>
> I wouldn't get the loan. You guys are SOOOO far away from where you wan't
to
> be, the loan is out of the question at this point... Unless of course
you'd
> use the loan to pay a programmer to do what you wan't... Even then though,
> you'd probably not be very good at evaluating the skills of a programmer,
> and might pick someone you shouldn't...
>
>
> Tony
>
> >
> > Please help if you can.
> > Sincerely,
> > Kevin
>
>
>

Tony Thank You for taking the time to get back with me.

Yes it is a daunting task. As a side bar here, I have always wanted try and
build my own menus inside applications like Access and Word, and make the
program more friendly towards my needs. So I purchased some books for VBA.
Within the next two months I will start doing that. I have some heavy test
coming up for my MCSA that I need to devote my whole attention to currently,
but as my Sister is anscious, I also need to start getting the supplies we
need for our gaming exploits.
I do have a few more questions... What is this .net framework, and I have
also never heard of Darkbasic. I am asking this because I need to know what
type of software to purchase. Also I am dual booting between XP pro and
2000 pro. How hard is Linux to learn? At first when I tried it years ago
it was more complicated that I needed at that time. I had so much going on
then. Now things are calming down and I have the time to learn it if
necessary.

Tony again, thank you for your time.


"Tony Di Croce" <iaretony@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:a8d39d8b55f8919a126caee27241ffc9@TeraNews...
>
> "Kevin Meier" <kevinmeier@cox.net> wrote in message
> news:%iOLa.346207$3n5.25377@news2.central.cox.net. ..
> > Hi, my name is Kevin and I could use some help from someone that knows a
> lot
> > about programming for games.
> >
> > My Sister and I would like to develop games. We want to create a game
for
> > the gambling industry. You know the new type of slot machine, that uses
> > multi-row options and you can choose how many coins you want to bet, as
> well
> > as the type that will take you to a new level that you can choose from
> whats
> > behind this door or that door type of things.
>
> Are you talking about a computer game or an embedded application (IE
> actually running on real gambling hardware?) If you're talking about a
> computer game, I reccomend you check out "DarkBasic". This is the quickest
> way to get you're game made.
>
> > Also another game, for systems like Playstation.
>
> For this you're going to need to become a master at C++. Seriousley, you
> will spend probably the next 5 years MINNIMUM studying to get good enough
to
> do what you want... Of course, along the way you'll make lots of things
that
> are not what you really want...
>
> > I do know this is not an over-night learning process. That is all I
know.
> > I am very good with the tecnical sides of things and have my A+, MCP,
and
> > MOUS master certifications. I have gotten those certifications on my
own
> at
> > home. And have been building my own computers for many years.
>
> I think most good programmers mostly teach themselves. You can learn a lot
> in college, but you definatley won't learn it all. In fact, you NEVER
learn
> it all.
>
> > But when it comes to programming I'm a newbie. I live in Las Vegas, and
> > when it comes to computer schools we are lacking. They are of the mind
> set
> > to get you enrolled, teach you as fast as they can, try to get you
> certified
> > and out the door.
> >
> > I like to learn and absorb things, and as much on hands training as
> > possible. Does anyone know of a good way to start.
>
> Build a fairly low end machine and install red-hat linux. It includes G++,
> which is the GNU C++ compiler. This is a good environment to learn on. The
> best graphics library for C++ on Linux (it's actually cross platform, the
> same code can be imported into Visual Studio and built for Windows) is
SDL.
>
> > I did not know if we would need a program like 3D Studio Max for the
> > animation, or anything, so I really could use some good information.
>
> Not for a long time. And that is a whole seperate skill that will take
years
> to master. Making games is NOT easy. Even making EASY games is hard.
>
> > We are going to have to get a loan to get started, but it is something
we
> > have wanted to do for sometime now and are not getting any younger. I
> guess
> > you could say this is our one chance at reaching for our dreams.
>
> I wouldn't get the loan. You guys are SOOOO far away from where you wan't
to
> be, the loan is out of the question at this point... Unless of course
you'd
> use the loan to pay a programmer to do what you wan't... Even then though,
> you'd probably not be very good at evaluating the skills of a programmer,
> and might pick someone you shouldn't...
>
>
> Tony
>
> >
> > Please help if you can.
> > Sincerely,
> > Kevin
>
>

> Yes it is a daunting task. As a side bar here, I have always wanted try
and
> build my own menus inside applications like Access and Word, and make the
> program more friendly towards my needs. So I purchased some books for
VBA.

Making a game is about 1000 harder than changing around menus in VB, just so
you know. Furthermore, this knowledge will not really help you all that much
to make games.

Let me ask you a question. Is the game you want to make "Cutting Edge"? In
other words, is it cool because it pushes the hardware to places it has
never gone before? Or is it cool because the gameplay is a unique?

You will NOT be able to compete with id as far as production values. You
will not be able to compete with any studio, actually. What you need is a
good idea.

Tetris is implementable in a day for any decent coder. On the other hand,
Grand Theft Auto 3 would take the best coder's years. Tetris is a very
abstract game, GTA3 attempts to portray a comparatively much more REAL
environment. The more REAL you're game needs to be, the harder it will be to
make.

> Within the next two months I will start doing that. I have some heavy
test
> coming up for my MCSA that I need to devote my whole attention to
currently,
> but as my Sister is anscious, I also need to start getting the supplies we
> need for our gaming exploits.

I reccomend that one of you concentrate on art, and the other on coding.

> I do have a few more questions... What is this .net framework, and I have
> also never heard of Darkbasic. I am asking this because I need to know
what
> type of software to purchase. Also I am dual booting between XP pro and
> 2000 pro. How hard is Linux to learn? At first when I tried it years ago
> it was more complicated that I needed at that time. I had so much going
on
> then. Now things are calming down and I have the time to learn it if
> necessary.

Don't worry about .net

Darkbasic is an enhanced basic programming language built ontop of a DirectX
8.1 3D graphics engine. I reccomend it because you WILL get the most bang
for you're effort with it.

If you have any other questions you can email me... I'm gonna modify my
email address so it's not so spamable here, but you should be able to figure
it out

iaretonyNOSPAM @ hotmail.com

> "Tony Di Croce" <iaretony@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:a8d39d8b55f8919a126caee27241ffc9@TeraNews...
> >
> > "Kevin Meier" <kevinmeier@cox.net> wrote in message
> > news:%iOLa.346207$3n5.25377@news2.central.cox.net. ..
> > > Hi, my name is Kevin and I could use some help from someone that knows
a
> > lot
> > > about programming for games.
> > >
> > > My Sister and I would like to develop games. We want to create a game
> for
> > > the gambling industry. You know the new type of slot machine, that
uses
> > > multi-row options and you can choose how many coins you want to bet,
as
> > well
> > > as the type that will take you to a new level that you can choose from
> > whats
> > > behind this door or that door type of things.
> >
> > Are you talking about a computer game or an embedded application (IE
> > actually running on real gambling hardware?) If you're talking about a
> > computer game, I reccomend you check out "DarkBasic". This is the
quickest
> > way to get you're game made.
> >
> > > Also another game, for systems like Playstation.
> >
> > For this you're going to need to become a master at C++. Seriousley, you
> > will spend probably the next 5 years MINNIMUM studying to get good
enough
> to
> > do what you want... Of course, along the way you'll make lots of things
> that
> > are not what you really want...
> >
> > > I do know this is not an over-night learning process. That is all I
> know.
> > > I am very good with the tecnical sides of things and have my A+, MCP,
> and
> > > MOUS master certifications. I have gotten those certifications on my
> own
> > at
> > > home. And have been building my own computers for many years.
> >
> > I think most good programmers mostly teach themselves. You can learn a
lot
> > in college, but you definatley won't learn it all. In fact, you NEVER
> learn
> > it all.
> >
> > > But when it comes to programming I'm a newbie. I live in Las Vegas,
and
> > > when it comes to computer schools we are lacking. They are of the
mind
> > set
> > > to get you enrolled, teach you as fast as they can, try to get you
> > certified
> > > and out the door.
> > >
> > > I like to learn and absorb things, and as much on hands training as
> > > possible. Does anyone know of a good way to start.
> >
> > Build a fairly low end machine and install red-hat linux. It includes
G++,
> > which is the GNU C++ compiler. This is a good environment to learn on.
The
> > best graphics library for C++ on Linux (it's actually cross platform,
the
> > same code can be imported into Visual Studio and built for Windows) is
> SDL.
> >
> > > I did not know if we would need a program like 3D Studio Max for the
> > > animation, or anything, so I really could use some good information.
> >
> > Not for a long time. And that is a whole seperate skill that will take
> years
> > to master. Making games is NOT easy. Even making EASY games is hard.
> >
> > > We are going to have to get a loan to get started, but it is something
> we
> > > have wanted to do for sometime now and are not getting any younger. I
> > guess
> > > you could say this is our one chance at reaching for our dreams.
> >
> > I wouldn't get the loan. You guys are SOOOO far away from where you
wan't
> to
> > be, the loan is out of the question at this point... Unless of course
> you'd
> > use the loan to pay a programmer to do what you wan't... Even then
though,
> > you'd probably not be very good at evaluating the skills of a
programmer,
> > and might pick someone you shouldn't...
> >
> >
> > Tony
> >
> > >
> > > Please help if you can.
> > > Sincerely,
> > > Kevin
> >
> >
>
>

OK. If you want to make a good game I would recommend learning C/C++ this is
how I learned and maybe I am being a bit biased, but it was pretty easy.
Secondly, I doubt that learning Linux would help you in game programming as
much as learning Windows Programming, since that will be most of your target
audience. Don't take out a loan yet, it's not really necessary for the time
being, and probably won't even be necessary until your game is done. If you
want to make High-End 3D Graphics, this will probably take some time. I
suggest you start off learning C/C++ like the back of your hand, don't even
worry about graphics until you have this down. Then, start learning about
DirectX 2D graphics programming. I suggest you get Andre' LaMothe's book
"Windows Game Programming For Dummies", as your first game programming book,
you can buy it at Borders or Barnes and Noble. And finally, always have
patience when programmming, if things start to become difficult, backtrack
and review what you've learned. I will also emphasize that VBA will not help
much in game programming. But, don't throw away your VBA books yet, because
they might help you understand programming and programming languages in
general.
I hope I was of help!
Kevin Meier <kevinmeier@cox.net> wrote in message
news:ec_La.347473$3n5.151164@news2.central.cox.net ...
> Tony Thank You for taking the time to get back with me.
>
> Yes it is a daunting task. As a side bar here, I have always wanted try
and
> build my own menus inside applications like Access and Word, and make the
> program more friendly towards my needs. So I purchased some books for
VBA.
> Within the next two months I will start doing that. I have some heavy
test
> coming up for my MCSA that I need to devote my whole attention to
currently,
> but as my Sister is anscious, I also need to start getting the supplies we
> need for our gaming exploits.
> I do have a few more questions... What is this .net framework, and I have
> also never heard of Darkbasic. I am asking this because I need to know
what
> type of software to purchase. Also I am dual booting between XP pro and
> 2000 pro. How hard is Linux to learn? At first when I tried it years ago
> it was more complicated that I needed at that time. I had so much going
on
> then. Now things are calming down and I have the time to learn it if
> necessary.
>
> Tony again, thank you for your time.
>
>
> "Tony Di Croce" <iaretony@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:a8d39d8b55f8919a126caee27241ffc9@TeraNews...
> >
> > "Kevin Meier" <kevinmeier@cox.net> wrote in message
> > news:%iOLa.346207$3n5.25377@news2.central.cox.net. ..
> > > Hi, my name is Kevin and I could use some help from someone that knows
a
> > lot
> > > about programming for games.
> > >
> > > My Sister and I would like to develop games. We want to create a game
> for
> > > the gambling industry. You know the new type of slot machine, that
uses
> > > multi-row options and you can choose how many coins you want to bet,
as
> > well
> > > as the type that will take you to a new level that you can choose from
> > whats
> > > behind this door or that door type of things.
> >
> > Are you talking about a computer game or an embedded application (IE
> > actually running on real gambling hardware?) If you're talking about a
> > computer game, I reccomend you check out "DarkBasic". This is the
quickest
> > way to get you're game made.
> >
> > > Also another game, for systems like Playstation.
> >
> > For this you're going to need to become a master at C++. Seriousley, you
> > will spend probably the next 5 years MINNIMUM studying to get good
enough
> to
> > do what you want... Of course, along the way you'll make lots of things
> that
> > are not what you really want...
> >
> > > I do know this is not an over-night learning process. That is all I
> know.
> > > I am very good with the tecnical sides of things and have my A+, MCP,
> and
> > > MOUS master certifications. I have gotten those certifications on my
> own
> > at
> > > home. And have been building my own computers for many years.
> >
> > I think most good programmers mostly teach themselves. You can learn a
lot
> > in college, but you definatley won't learn it all. In fact, you NEVER
> learn
> > it all.
> >
> > > But when it comes to programming I'm a newbie. I live in Las Vegas,
and
> > > when it comes to computer schools we are lacking. They are of the
mind
> > set
> > > to get you enrolled, teach you as fast as they can, try to get you
> > certified
> > > and out the door.
> > >
> > > I like to learn and absorb things, and as much on hands training as
> > > possible. Does anyone know of a good way to start.
> >
> > Build a fairly low end machine and install red-hat linux. It includes
G++,
> > which is the GNU C++ compiler. This is a good environment to learn on.
The
> > best graphics library for C++ on Linux (it's actually cross platform,
the
> > same code can be imported into Visual Studio and built for Windows) is
> SDL.
> >
> > > I did not know if we would need a program like 3D Studio Max for the
> > > animation, or anything, so I really could use some good information.
> >
> > Not for a long time. And that is a whole seperate skill that will take
> years
> > to master. Making games is NOT easy. Even making EASY games is hard.
> >
> > > We are going to have to get a loan to get started, but it is something
> we
> > > have wanted to do for sometime now and are not getting any younger. I
> > guess
> > > you could say this is our one chance at reaching for our dreams.
> >
> > I wouldn't get the loan. You guys are SOOOO far away from where you
wan't
> to
> > be, the loan is out of the question at this point... Unless of course
> you'd
> > use the loan to pay a programmer to do what you wan't... Even then
though,
> > you'd probably not be very good at evaluating the skills of a
programmer,
> > and might pick someone you shouldn't...
> >
> >
> > Tony
> >
> > >
> > > Please help if you can.
> > > Sincerely,
> > > Kevin
> >
> >
>
>