How to get started?

[PoisonedV]

I am really interested in physics based games and eventually want to make some. How do I get started in the indie game scene? I have minimal programming experience, but all it did was show stuff up in the command prompt.

[muffinmonkey]

ey up me duck

firstly, before anyone flames you I must say that this should be in the developer's section

secondly, there are hints and programs and other stuff I don't understand about in there

enjoy your time in the moving fun world

[SataMaxx]

I'd recommend you these two posts :
http://www.fun-motion.com/forums/showthread.php?t=108
http://www.fun-motion.com/forums/showthread.php?t=772
as well as using the search function or just browsing the forum for about ten seconds (one of the links points to a stickied post !).

As for my personal advice : first learn how to program. If you have little knowledge and have never programmed graphic things then you're far (and when I say far, I mean it !) from programming physics games.
BTW, welcome to FM forums, enjoy your stay !

[Killa]

Well if you wanna get to understanding programming then i reccmond starting simple, say....Moding CC(Cortex Command)that will help you with how stuff works and it's easy!(trust me)

[Muntu]

Well if you wanna get to understanding programming then i reccmond starting simple, say....Moding CC(Cortex Command)that will help you with how stuff works and it's easy!(trust me)

Knowing how to mod CC isn't really going to help you understanding languages like C, Java or something like those.

[CX1329]

Learn to program first, then think about physics games. How can you try to make physics games if you don't even know how to write a "Hello World" program?

It's best for you to learn the easier languages and get a grip on the fundamentals of programming before trying to write anything too complex.

[edthefirst]

Knowing how to mod CC isn't really going to help you understanding languages like C, Java or something like those.

Agreed. Gah I just completely wiped my hard drive and now I need to regain all those drivers. This is awful.

[Maltor124]

Learn to program first, then think about physics games. How can you try to make physics games if you don't even know how to write a "Hello World" program?

It's best for you to learn the easier languages and get a grip on the fundamentals of programming before trying to write anything too complex.

He did say he had minimal experience with showing things in command prompt, I guess that means he can do Hello World...? Also, I would move this to the developer section, but no one would ever, EVER looks at this there, so I'm moving to the feedback section. Up, up, and away to the feedback forum..!!!!!!!

[CX1329]

He did say he had minimal experience with showing things in command prompt, I guess that means he can do Hello World...? Also, I would move this to the developer section, but no one would ever, EVER looks at this there, so I'm moving to the feedback section. Up, up, and away to the feedback forum..!!!!!!!


It wasn't quite clear what he meant by showing things in the command prompt, though. He needs to explain his experience a tad better.

[Maltor124]

I agree. Exactly how much do you know, PoisonedV?

[Relys]

He did say he had minimal experience with showing things in command prompt, I guess that means he can do Hello World...? Also, I would move this to the developer section, but no one would ever, EVER looks at this there, so I'm moving to the feedback section. Up, up, and away to the feedback forum..!!!!!!!

echo hello world!

Wow, this guy's amazing! /sarcasm :D

Look at some C++ Tuts (Like what I should be doing. I haven't done very much, but I know what people are talking about when the post lines of code).

[Casey]

I'm in a simmilar situation to poison.
Experience:
I can make simple programs in game maker
I can make a medium quality webpage
I know just a little bit of c++, like just enough to make a "hello world"
and I make mods in cortex command & toribash

dunno where to start

[digitalmanifestation]

I'd deffo recommend blitz3D to you guys, i started out on darkbasic myself then moved to blitz3D with the hope of later moving into c++

Blitz3D is easy to learn as it uses basic syntax and although it uses DirectX 7 it's a good way to get into things. There is also a few physics wrappers made for it already which will save you a lot of time in the long run but if u have no previous experience of programming i would wait for a bit before i dived into the deep end.

http://www.dc.freecoder-portal.de/devilengines/Index.html (http://www.dc.freecoder-portal.de/devilengines/Index.html) << this guy made a physics engine for blitz3D using ODE, a GUI, real time shadow system and a particle system all free to use, save me a lot of time and effort ^^

Plus there is tons of source code on the blitz3D site, bucket loads!

So the conclusion is blitz is deemed a bit out of date now but it's a good stepping stone.

[STEVIE G]

^^^^

I Concurr ... I have no interest in writing games for a living but I can churn out alot of good stuff with Blitz3d. I've been using it for 5 years now. It's fast robust, stable and has a great community for noobs.

Stevie

[AquaGeneral]

I use the C4 Engine for making physics levels. C4 has support for any external physics engine, currently I am using the PhysX, physics engine.

Most of my work is avalalble on my website. Soon I will be adding more of my recent maps.

However C4 is not a great choice if you want to make a fighting physics game or a racer.

Here is my website: http://aquageneral.wordpress.com/ (I know, I sort of copy of Matthew accept for my website will not have any reviews or news, unless the news it extremily cool or urgent)

C4 Engine - Official Website: http://www.terathon.com/c4engine/index.php

PM me or email me if you want learn how to use C4.