Where to start game developement

#1

hello guys i am new to game side of 3d i need few links that can explain me the exact process. like how are thing modeled tested things that are followed any thing that can give me a start if i am missing something that is already there on cgtalk the i am sorry i must have missed it it very kind of u if u just lead me to it
thank you
ANkit Sharma

#2

well hi there

I would suggest you get to programming C/C++ with OpenGL and DirectX
then learn basic modelling and character animation in 3dS / any 3D modelling software.
Make models import em in your programs, learn A.I. give the models life and voila.

that was gamedev in a nutshell

couple of nice starting references http://openGL.org http://nehe.gamedev.net

there must have been a past thread on this forum as well on similar lines

#3

If you’re looking at modelling for games then you need a good knowledge of both 3D apps and programming itself…C++ definitely gets my vote as the language to learn, but if you’re new to programming and just want to see how it fits in with the graphics, have a read up on DarkBasic…you couldn’t really write anything seriously with it, but it’s a good starting point if you want to move quickly into the games stuff, since it was specially designed for games. That’s how the first year of my Games Development course was meant to be structured anyway…

You’ll want to get to grips with Direct X too…but I wouldn’t start off with that, wait until you’re more comfortable with everything else - just for the reason that theres so many new versions that come out that what you’ve learnt at the beginning could well be void by then.

Good luck!

#4

first you need to decide what aspect of game development you want to get into. game development as you mentioned, means an entire company of talented persons working on a game. its a process. you have to decide what you want to get in as…!!!

Now each position itself can be specialized:

  1. programmers will be specialized for Artificial Intelligence, Collisions, Networking, etc.
  2. artist will mean a specialized 3d artist or 2d concept artist, texturing specialist. 3d Artist can again specialize in modeling, level designing etc…
  3. game designer - this role is very important as this person has the idea of the game, its his vision that programmers, artists work on.
  4. sound artist

this is just an overview, there are many other positions and they all combine their efforts for years to produce one successful game.

Now from another post of yours, i think you mentioned that you already know MAYA and you want to see how you can use your skills for games:

Ok, artists create the models in 3d packages and import them into the game engine. importing means importing models, textures, animations etc. depende on engine to engine.

you can get your hands on Unreal Editor or the Engine that comes with the commercial version of the game and import your models into Unreal Environment and see how that works out for you. You can even create your own mods in maya, import them and play them in the game.

check out www.3dbuzz.com for detailed video tutorials on Unreal Engine. they will give you a strong start

#5

Thankyou every body for the info u gave me. Now all I have to do is hardwork
~
Ankit Sharma

#6

thank you for your replying, it also help me for starting the project.
I have check darkBasic tonight, but not go deep enough i know.
I intend to make a fighting game like street fighter,
its this program powerfull enought to make this?

Thank you.

#7

Yes, this is good information, I to have a need to start down this road of using an engine to drive Civil project presentations.

Since alot of what games are about will not be needed in civil Fly arounds and walk throughs, I too was looking at Dark Basic and Game Studio or maybe even just Blender may work.

just out of curiosty and to get opinions, which do you think is better at delivering a presentation? In my profession terrain, vegetation, roads and other infrastrcture will be shown, focus on best possible graphics in the outside environment…

no weapons or villians or hordes LOL,

thanks

#8

I would ask yourself why you want to do games and what you want to do. I personally don’t recommend trying to break into the industry as a generalist. If you want to programming for PSP, or PS2, you might want to learn Linux, if you want to do Xbox 360, of 720, C++ or C# might be best. If you just want to get in don’t waste your time learning how to model, jump into Rendering and Physics. Try to look at current technology and the troubles they are having and figure out a way to fix the problem. Artwork is a huge expense that is killing much of the game industry. My guess is that Procedural work is going to become a huge players in future 3D games. The other big trend that we are seeing is cross production, like “King Kong” where the Movie art assets are being used in game companies. Knowledge of how to turn a Mental Ray shader into a realtime shader might be very useful knowledge. NextGen is so hi-quality that games will acutally be using the movie assets in them, not just basing game data on them.

Like I said before, I wouldn’t waste your time learning how to model. It take too much time and models and animation can be purchased these days. Most Dev kits come with enough art. Few of the programmers I work with know how to Model or Animate. Its a waste of time if you are going to be doing hard core programming. You can find artist that want to help or are looking to get any experience. It might be better to find a game engine like Torque instead of starting from scratch.

Over all the game industry is a real rat race you and are going to be fighting against lots of peers. So you want to find something that makes you stick out. Don’t waste time learning the huge growing core of “games”… the fast track is pick something very specific like HLSL programming and work at bigger companies with large teams. Come in as a contractor and try to win them over. But, you might need to learn some of the basics to figure out what you like. But, as games get bigger you are really going to have a much smaller part of the puzzle to work on. So it’s good to know what you like. Also, look at companies HR sites to see what they want. If you want to work for Nintedo try to find out what they are looking for. I highly recommend this for anyone that wants to “break in”.

Last of all… go to Boarders, there are tons of books about game programming. Grab a cup of coffee and sit in the corner. You can also use a program like Flash to program and easily create your own work.

#9

I would say that you need to have a pretty good idea of what it is you want to do. One good place to start would be with a design document. It will let you get your ideas down in one spot, sort of like a blueprint.

Chris Taylor has given us a template of what a design document that he uses. It is basic, but it has some very good information.

http://www.gamedev.net/reference/articles/article1063.asp

#10

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.