help for the newbs
help for the newbs
Hi I am a shmup fan and I have always wanted to make some really cool shmups but I don't know the first thing about it.Is it possible for all you pros out there to make some cool video tutorials on how to make a shmup so that all of use that want to make a shmup but don't know how can finally join the community? I cant learn a thing by reading all these big confusing things you find on the net but if I had a nice video that shows me how things are done and keeps it simple without the techno confusing stuff I could start learning the stuff and work my way up to the biger harder stuff and make you all some sweet shmups!
Well, programming is "techno confusing stuff" to every beginner. You can't explain how to write an entire game in a short video, especially if the viewer doesn't know anything about coding.
The easiest thing would be to check out GameMaker, which is a partially free program that can create pretty nice games. Even if you don't know how to program, you can make something simple using icons. There's plenty of tutorials which aint confusing at all out there on how to start with this.
If you want to make a really good game, you can do several things:
-learn a classic programming language like C/C++ (many alternatives though). This will take a long time, but worth it if you're serious about it.
-spend time learning the coding part of GameMaker after you've mastered the easier part with drag&drop icons.
Anyway, just search YouTube for whatever language you'd want to learn, and some tutorials are bound to be up. Don't expect this to get you anywhere near being a pro game coder though
The easiest thing would be to check out GameMaker, which is a partially free program that can create pretty nice games. Even if you don't know how to program, you can make something simple using icons. There's plenty of tutorials which aint confusing at all out there on how to start with this.
If you want to make a really good game, you can do several things:
-learn a classic programming language like C/C++ (many alternatives though). This will take a long time, but worth it if you're serious about it.
-spend time learning the coding part of GameMaker after you've mastered the easier part with drag&drop icons.
Anyway, just search YouTube for whatever language you'd want to learn, and some tutorials are bound to be up. Don't expect this to get you anywhere near being a pro game coder though
Re: help for the newbs
Rex705 wrote:Hi I am a shmup fan and I have always wanted to make some really cool shmups but I don't know the first thing about it.Is it possible for all you pros out there to make some cool video tutorials on how to make a shmup so that all of use that want to make a shmup but don't know how can finally join the community? I cant learn a thing by reading all these big confusing things you find on the net but if I had a nice video that shows me how things are done and keeps it simple without the techno confusing stuff I could start learning the stuff and work my way up to the biger harder stuff and make you all some sweet shmups!
You won't learn from a video. Distilling your post, though, it seems you're really looking for an "easy" way to make a shmup. If you're serious about this, you'll figure out a plan... which mainly consists of starting out with the basics and progressing from there. There are lots of good tutorials available, just not in iTunes format
Bill
the2bears - the indie shmup blog
Open Watcom C/C++ Compiler
Well I found this tutorial about learning C / C++ and it tells me to get the Open Watcom C/C++ Compiler for this tutorial but I cant seem to find a download for it can someone help?
Use google
or
another compiler (GCC, Visual Studio).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:C%2B%2B_compilers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison ... .2FC.2B.2B
Downloading a compiler is really the least problem. And don't think that you will be able to develop a great shmup after a few weeks of learning a programming language. That occupies much time.
or
another compiler (GCC, Visual Studio).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:C%2B%2B_compilers
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison ... .2FC.2B.2B
Downloading a compiler is really the least problem. And don't think that you will be able to develop a great shmup after a few weeks of learning a programming language. That occupies much time.
did you not listen to a thing I just said? I know it takes time but I will repeat myself again I cant do anything if I dont START. I asked for help on things i should learn and every time I try to get some info you all just laugh and say give up it takes time you cant do it blah blah blah.I guess I'll just find another forum with people that are willing to help someone who is trying to get started and learn things because clearly I wont learn a thing here from any of you then I really wont be able to do it as you all say.
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battlegorge
- Posts: 67
- Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2006 12:39 pm
I started with gamemaker, you can download it here: http://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker/
There are some tutorials, too.
Heres the first tutorial i read:
http://birchdale.net/gm/BG1HTML/Beginners_Guide_1.html
Its for gm 4.3 but it works for the new version, too!
If you dont want gamemaker, take a look at c# + xna or freebasic.
Both are free.
http://creators.xna.com/Resources/Essentials.aspx
http://www.freebasic.net/
Two other great programming languages are blitz3d and blitzmax but they cost some money.
http://www.blitzbasic.com/Products/_index_.php
And you can get a free IDE for c++ here:
http://www.bloodshed.net/download.html
Tell me when you need programs for graphics and sound
There are some tutorials, too.
Heres the first tutorial i read:
http://birchdale.net/gm/BG1HTML/Beginners_Guide_1.html
Its for gm 4.3 but it works for the new version, too!
If you dont want gamemaker, take a look at c# + xna or freebasic.
Both are free.
http://creators.xna.com/Resources/Essentials.aspx
http://www.freebasic.net/
Two other great programming languages are blitz3d and blitzmax but they cost some money.
http://www.blitzbasic.com/Products/_index_.php
And you can get a free IDE for c++ here:
http://www.bloodshed.net/download.html
Tell me when you need programs for graphics and sound
do you have anything on sprites how to make your own or web sites I can download some simple sprites to use.Telling you that it will take time IS helping you. There are so many people who started developing games, but lost the motivation after a few weeks because they didn't progress fast enough. We don't tell you that you won't manage it, we only tell you that you won't manage it if you have wrong expectations. And you must admit that your first post sounded very naive concerning this.Rex705 wrote:why is everyone talking down to me and saying I will never be a good game maker? im trying to learn and get started so I asked for some help i know it takes time but i cant do anything if i dont get started now can i? why is it so wrong to ask for some help?
Yes i agree my fisrt post I was clueless but I listened to what the next post said and I started looking for a place to start learning. now what I need is the information on the different tools and programs and things I need to know I do NOT need to be told over and over and over a million times that it will take time that is old info that I know already.Pit wrote:Telling you that it will take time IS helping you. There are so many people who started developing games, but lost the motivation after a few weeks because they didn't progress fast enough. We don't tell you that you won't manage it, we only tell you that you won't manage it if you have wrong expectations. And you must admit that your first post sounded very naive concerning this.Rex705 wrote:why is everyone talking down to me and saying I will never be a good game maker? im trying to learn and get started so I asked for some help i know it takes time but i cant do anything if i dont get started now can i? why is it so wrong to ask for some help?
If like me, you're starting with zero programming skills then I would definately recommend Game Maker. You can even make some decent stuff without paying for the registered version.
To pick up the basics just look at the 1945 tutorial - although this is ABSOLUTE basics and you shouldn't be looking to make any games based on this alone.
Mess around with different aspects of the game and make some small projects each concentrating or introducing a new gameplay idea. Once you've got used to the icons, you'll want to start learning the GML code (it's not as hard as it initially looks and there's plenty of tutorials at the GMC forums).
Other than that, play lots of SHMUPS and try to study how they work. Use ideas out there and put your own spin on them.
As everyone keeps saying, this is a long and difficult process - but it's completely worth it!!
If you want to see what Game Maker is capable of, just search for Varia or Clean Asia on yoyogames, these are both impressive examples of GM SHMUPS.
As for graphics, just keep it simple and functional. Personally, I'm not good enough with spriting to give any real advice....
Good luck
Oh and remember, everyone here is genuinely trying to help. Don't bite the hand that feeds you by ranting that people aren't listening or are talking down to you when they genuinely want to see you succeed and become part of the comunity. (lecture over)
To pick up the basics just look at the 1945 tutorial - although this is ABSOLUTE basics and you shouldn't be looking to make any games based on this alone.
Mess around with different aspects of the game and make some small projects each concentrating or introducing a new gameplay idea. Once you've got used to the icons, you'll want to start learning the GML code (it's not as hard as it initially looks and there's plenty of tutorials at the GMC forums).
Other than that, play lots of SHMUPS and try to study how they work. Use ideas out there and put your own spin on them.
As everyone keeps saying, this is a long and difficult process - but it's completely worth it!!
If you want to see what Game Maker is capable of, just search for Varia or Clean Asia on yoyogames, these are both impressive examples of GM SHMUPS.
As for graphics, just keep it simple and functional. Personally, I'm not good enough with spriting to give any real advice....
Good luck
Oh and remember, everyone here is genuinely trying to help. Don't bite the hand that feeds you by ranting that people aren't listening or are talking down to you when they genuinely want to see you succeed and become part of the comunity. (lecture over)