hi everyone

hi everyone

EaSy_cz 10 Nov 2007 13:48

Hello, I'm from Czech rep. (middle of Europe :). I am studying Computer Science and have lot of experience with C language and minimum exp. with C++(until summer term, i've chosen optional subject C++). I'm very interested in learning how to develop computer games. I was thinking about something simillar to Commandos or Desperados at the beginning, because I think, I hope, it's "easier" then for example fps or rts.

My idea is to make a game with very inteligent AI, not with stupid AI like in Commandos 3… My plan is to create a complicated model of behavior in difficult situations, if for example the AI hears some shooting behind the corner, it won't run there like an idiot, but will call friends and carefully will investigate or if it hears shooting, it won't stay at the positions and after a while it will return to whatever it did before and so on. But I realize there is a long way between me and this kind of game.

So, I'd like to ask, if I should stick to C and C++ or choose the different tool to programme games, what kind of game should I make first and if anyone has some experience with making games in C or C++ to help me with basics of using algorithms and graphic libraries for games or give me at least some usefull references… And I almost forgot… Because I programme C mainly in Linux, but I hate Linux:), so I'm asking, what is the best tool for C and C++ in Windows? I've tried an DevCpp, but I didn't like it. Is it a Microsoft Visual Studio? I suggest.

Thanks for help, EaSy

Re: hi everyone

hartnell 10 Nov 2007 15:00

We're still working on this, so it's a mess : Game Software Wiki - to help you choose the right software for you.

:) —hartnell

Re: hi everyone

Linkage2 11 Nov 2007 05:08

The only C++ compiler I've used is Microsoft Visual Studio, it seems pretty good to me but then again I haven't tried any other compilers.

And again, I don't really know much about references for C++ either… all I know in terms of graphics libraries is OpenGL.

I have some small experience making games in C++, apart from my programs I've made to just get the hang of C++ I've made one small ASCII game. I could maybe give you the source code for that, and if I make any more I could show you those as well. The actual game is in the "Showcase" section of the forum, under the topic "Asciiroids".

Re: hi everyone

u9 11 Nov 2007 16:50

Hi EaSy,

If you are already familiar with C, i think you should stick with it. It is by far the most used language (afaik) in the games industry. Well, by the big boys at least :) For games what you need is easily displayable graphics, easily playable sound and music, and easy access to different input devices. SDL is perfect for this. There are also libraries that extend SDL such as SDLimage, SDLnet, etc.

Here are some tutorials, that i think are quite good:

http://lazyfoo.net/SDL_tutorials/index.php

You can find some more tutorials on the SDL website.

There are also other game libraries and engines freely available, here's a list of what i remember just now:

• Allegro. Similar to SDL, i.e. input, graphics, sound, etc.
• Kyra. A sprite engine, that afaik can be used with SDL also.
• and now my mind is blank :/

Then there are some 3D engines, physics engines, etc. but i would recommend keeping it simple and sticking to simple 2D games to start with, just to get used to game making.

I hate to admit it, but microsoft's Visual Studio has amazing code-completion and a debugger who makes a laughing stock of the rest out there. These two things are the most important in my book. In fact, if you have ever gotten used to these two things, it is difficult going back to anything else. I got VS free from my school, but as far as i know the Express edition for C++ is free and downloadable from ms.

Good luck :)

Re: hi everyone

u9 11 Nov 2007 17:24

Here's a simple memory game i made in C++ using SDL, with SDL_image and SDL_gfx. Check out the source for some inspiration :) I hope it is somewhat understandable. You are welcome ask if you run into trouble.

http://www.mediafire.com/?8mijys30tw2

Re: hi everyone

EaSy_cz 11 Nov 2007 18:37

Thanks for responses. At the time I'm in rush at the school, so I'll take a look on these tutorials sooner or later.
Well I've downloaded professional version of visual studio for free, because VUT students has free licences to download software from Microsoft. Maybe, the express version is enought for me, but why not to download full vesion for free:). SDL is looking nice, because my experience with C will be very usefull. Thanks.

Re: hi everyone

u9 11 Nov 2007 22:46

I hope it helps :) I think it is actually better to use the full version of Visual Studio. There was some hassle about setting up the express version, if i remember correctly.

Re: hi everyone

Linkage2 12 Nov 2007 04:34

I use the Express version, obviously because it's the only one I can get for free (although recently, to my surprise, my school has gotten VS on some of its computers… I don't know why though). It's done me fine, but then again, I haven't done all that much in C++ yet. As for setting it up, my only problem was getting it all downloaded without killing my internet limit. :P

Re: hi everyone

u9 27 Nov 2007 09:14

This is an excellent 2D game engine for c++ which is hardware accelerated, which means you can rotate, scale, stretch and distort sprites anyway you like, in-game without performance loss :)

http://hge.relishgames.com/

Re: hi everyone

EaSy_cz 22 Dec 2007 18:54

Hi, is anyone using SDL in Linux? I have some problems with it, because it depends on what linux release do you have. If you do, and running some SDL application with valgrind tells you no memory leaks and no errors, tell me!! :)
You can try only:

include "SDL/SDL.h"

int main()
{
SDL_Init(SDL_INIT_EVERYTHING);
SDL_Quit();
return 0;
}

In my case in Fedora Core 6 I had 4 errors and memory leaks. So I've upgraded to Fedora 8 and I have no errors, but memory leaks only…
I want to have no leaks and no errors at all… :(
Thanks.

Last edited on 22 Dec 2007 18:56 by EaSy_cz Show more