12yr old wants to create games - What tools will he need?

I'd like to start him off with making a simple pong, tetris type of game.
Seems like everywhere I look, you have to buy some expensive SDK. I don't
want to spend a fortune, in case he tires of it.

Linux + SDL + g++

All free, and very capable.

If you want it to be for Windows, you have more issues. You can't really get
away from (easily) having to buy a copy of Visual C++. Sure, their are free
C++ compilers, but to get any major libraries to work with them is well
beyond the scope of a simple first project.

I reccomend getting a copy of DarkBasic Pro. It will cost you under $100,
and it does EVERYTHING he'll need to build a game.

Tony

"Chris Holmes" <cpholmes@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:d013471dd75856d8194a299378df685c@news.teranew s.com...
> I'd like to start him off with making a simple pong, tetris type of game.
> Seems like everywhere I look, you have to buy some expensive SDK. I don't
> want to spend a fortune, in case he tires of it.
>

BTW, you could also try to find a used version of Visual C++ (look for
6.0)... He is a student right? He may qualify for a "Student" price. I
bought Visual C++ 6.0 as a student and paid around $100 I believe.

Tony

"Chris Holmes" <cpholmes@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:d013471dd75856d8194a299378df685c@news.teranew s.com...
> I'd like to start him off with making a simple pong, tetris type of game.
> Seems like everywhere I look, you have to buy some expensive SDK. I don't
> want to spend a fortune, in case he tires of it.
>

Start him off on Blitz3D, a BASIC/C hybrid language with DX7 3D support.
It costs US$100,- and is available as a download at
http://www.blitzbasic.com

Andy

Chris Holmes wrote:
> I'd like to start him off with making a simple pong, tetris type of game.
> Seems like everywhere I look, you have to buy some expensive SDK. I don't
> want to spend a fortune, in case he tires of it.
>


As mentioned, C/C++ on linux is free.

I'd go for Java since that is free (for windows, linux, mac OSX) and
much easier to learn than C/C++ (I assume that a 12yo has some learning
to do)

If Java is too complex, then starting out with Logo might be an idea to
get the basics of programming first. I wouldn't recommend any variant
of BASIC as a starting language, it sets up bad habits.

Peter.

When I was 12 I 'programmed' some games using game creation systems. Those
are really great for younger kids, they are easy to use and well.. I have
fond memories so they must have been fun

The ones I got into were ZZT, Megaduex (I think thats how it was spelled, it
was like ZZT but more advanced), and Clik-and-Play.

If you want to throw him strait into programming I would recommend FlashMX +
Actionscript. While it is not technically a true programming language, it is
much easier to create simple working games with it then it would be with
C++... Especially for a 12 year old.

Infact I am really rather surprised at all the people recommending C++ and
especially throwing learning linux on top of that. If I had tried to jump
strait into C++ when I was 12 I probably would have gotten so frusterated
that I would not be planning my career around programming now


"Chris Holmes" <cpholmes@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:d013471dd75856d8194a299378df685c@news.teranew s.com...
> I'd like to start him off with making a simple pong, tetris type of game.
> Seems like everywhere I look, you have to buy some expensive SDK. I don't
> want to spend a fortune, in case he tires of it.
>

For a 12 year old i'd say blitz basic..

I learned it when i was 14 and got a game in a magazine when i was 16


"Chris Holmes" <cpholmes@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:d013471dd75856d8194a299378df685c@news.teranew s.com...
> I'd like to start him off with making a simple pong, tetris type of game.
> Seems like everywhere I look, you have to buy some expensive SDK. I don't
> want to spend a fortune, in case he tires of it.
>

When I was 11-12 I learned AMOS Basic on my Amiga and had so much fun using
it! Back then I dreamed of BlitzBasic witch was supposed to be so cool, but
I had no way of getting it...

I remember that C++ was a little hard at 13-14 yrs old, but then again I
didn't really have examples back then. Now with the hugh amount of info on
the internet C/C++ should be possible for a 12'yr old to learn.

--
Lasse

> I'd like to start him off with making a simple pong, tetris type of game.
> Seems like everywhere I look, you have to buy some expensive SDK. I don't
> want to spend a fortune, in case he tires of it.
>

I'm sorry... forgot the advice because I got so nostalgic :-)

My advice is, try out C++ with some freeware graphics-library like SDL, CDX,
NukeDX.

I know that pure C++ is quite hard for starters, but with help and some
examples and an easy grfx-lib I'm sure he could manage.

--
Lasse

> When I was 11-12 I learned AMOS Basic on my Amiga and had so much fun
using
> it! Back then I dreamed of BlitzBasic witch was supposed to be so cool,
but
> I had no way of getting it...
>
> I remember that C++ was a little hard at 13-14 yrs old, but then again I
> didn't really have examples back then. Now with the hugh amount of info on
> the internet C/C++ should be possible for a 12'yr old to learn.
>
> --
> Lasse
>
> > I'd like to start him off with making a simple pong, tetris type of
game.
> > Seems like everywhere I look, you have to buy some expensive SDK. I
don't
> > want to spend a fortune, in case he tires of it.
> >
>
>

"Tony Di Croce" <iaretony@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3b687e58a729752f2b523604ca750b76@news.teranew s.com...
> BTW, you could also try to find a used version of Visual C++ (look for
> 6.0)... He is a student right? He may qualify for a "Student" price. I
> bought Visual C++ 6.0 as a student and paid around $100 I believe.
>

A 12yr old programming C++?? Come on!