Video Game Development Diary: 0000

[deathbyaccident]

Dont get adobe flash, it's trash. They have a free compiler

[mcgyvr2009i]

I would love to become a game developer. Currently, I am learning actionscript 3.0. I bought the beginners guide. But I am not sure. FlashDevelop is a great free editor for actionscript files and small games. I am thinking about taking a BIG expensive $699 step to programming in ActionScript and I don't know if it is worth 699 dollars to purchase adobe flash professional CS5. It's really expensive. I know about the other cheeper versions but I want the real deal.Would you recommend the big step?

[Castaa]

@mcgyvr2009i Ya, that sounds too expensive. There are much cheaper ways to learn to game programming. The Unreal UDK with "Unreal Script" can be quite powerful. Microsoft offers their XNA game development package. Quake 2 and 3's full C/C++ source code is freely available to download and tinker with. I'm there are also a lot of open source Java based games to learn from. All 3 are free to download.

[mcgyvr2009i]

@Castaa Thanks.

[mcgyvr2009i]

@Castaa I have another question. I found a great program to use. I pretty much have it under control. It's called GameMaker 8. I bought it for only $25.00. That's affordable compared to most programs out there which are in the 100s. My only problem is, no matter what program I use, (flash, C++, Java, etc.) I can't finish a game. I do it all by myself because I don't really have anybody who's willing to help me. Can you tell me what I can do to fix that? That would be great. Thanks.

[Castaa]

@mcgyvr2009i One, it's very difficult to make a game on your own. Few are able to do it because of the time and skills it requires. Two, any game design you are trying to make, keep it very simple and basic. Get it working as a game then add to it. Three, set a side time each day to get something new done on it.

[mcgyvr2009i]

@Castaa Thank you.

[YGranddaddy]

..me and a group of friends had started on a game and we had idea, concept art, story, all that...but we'll have to wait for August before we can actually get started on development, programming, etc. How long did it take you to really get the actual Game development kick started

[Castaa]

@YGranddaddy It all depends on the complexity of the idea and the tools you are starting with if any. This along with the experience of your development team.

[trufun202]

My adventures in game development:

watch?v=bUgbsiZSdP8

[crw2223]

I've heard that a lot of video game programmers who have been in the industry for a while end up not liking it, and some end up becoming independent game developers. Is this true? And if it is true, is it because of the time constraints and overall stresses involved in the development of a commercial grade video game?

Also how likely is it for an independent game developer to make a reasonable living? (assuming they have the skills)

[forgotin811999]

Hello, I am very interested in getting into game development. do people in that career make good money?

[PartyPooperX]

yes

[Kalawan88]

In the beginning not so much, and there is supposedly a lot of overtime. I'm studying to become a computer game programmer, but I don't mind if the conditions are a bit bad in the beginning of the career as long as I can work with something I want to :>

[mofoglow]

How do you get involved in the video game development biz, even if you don't have programming skills and couldn't program if you're life depended on it?

[Kalawan88]

For the education you usually don't need any programmer experience, but it's a great plus. At least on my university there's alot of math and programming basics the first year

[DemolitionGames]

Hey Jon. Here's some questions I have:

*If you don't mind sharing, could you estimate the amount you're making from Computer Game Programming?

*Is it hard to start a game developing company? if so why? Do you have one, or in one?

Thank!

[HackingHarvard]

Game development varies widely depending on the types of games you are making. Game developers that make games like HL2 or QuakeWars may be making close to 100,000 k a year, however those who make littler known 2d games may be making as little as 40,000 k a year. Google it ;)

[Crazadus]

This might actually be educational... I'll be watching this one.

[slonkon]

When is this series going to start? I can't find any video of this series and I am excited to learn how games are made.

[abebarker]

I've been working on the layout for a teaching game expressing the i386 architecture.

The believe we have gotten too far away from our roots in the programming world. Higher level languages do provide a quicker way to program but at the expense of quicker smaller programs. We can't loose touch with the ground we stand on.

So my question is, what is the simplest gaming or rendering engine out there that doesn't rely on the newest graphics cards?

My motto would be; Keep it simple stupid.

[oscarcatracho]

in game development is it more the arts or more the computers? I am an artist lookin for guidance, dunno whether i should go in to gaming.

[JaySkuh]

i will be following this "Diary" VERY closely!!!

[Castaa]

Thanks.  There will be an update sooner or later. Probably sooner.

[TheLegend0fZelda]

Heh I find this now why couldn't i find this video 3 years ago when I was finding out for my self :P

[criddell86]

Hey. I am interested in what you are doing here. What platforms are you going to be developing games for?

[RosieDesire]

The music sounds kinda like it came from MULE.

[squitmaa]

I always thought it would be cool if they came out with a matrix type head plug system. Is anyone working on one of those. If so how far off in the distance do you think that might be?

[veew]

What is the team size for a good game? How are sound effects and music done? COuld you realistically start your own games studio straight from college? cheers mate!

[Songbottle]

Jon, do you do all the videos on your site?

[Castaa]

All but the water balloon one, yep.

[Clazebo]

hw long wuld it take about 6 ppl to make a game like star sonata and what shuld i try to study for to b a games designer?

[delveling]

Hi jon, i'm already in game development, and my favourite part too! I am a games tester, if i didnt already have far to few hours in a day, my question would be, do you need any games testers for SS! :)

-oVo

(actually , i suppose my question is obsolete considering the players are encourage to test the new content on test :)

[TehGreenDragon]

Gah, I love you!!!! GO ADMINS OF STAR SONATA

Come on, you owe it to us, we give you tons of money, you give us your name =P

~Green Dragon

[BAM5992]

tell me who you is!

this is Goz

[Gfekorp]

Dude which admin are you? this is Helro

[Ritter99]

dude that's a kick ass idea ... I wondered since longtime why you never talk about this :-) first I wonder what's your favorite task/field in game developing and to show off what YOU like best, or what you think came out best of your work! :-)

[GlassCalx]

A lot of PC games have the option of making maps and skins and mods and stuff, so that part of development isn't very mysterious. Game engine development is a complete mystery to me though.

[Idnuf636]

I would like to know how much code is dedicated to getting a game online (as in online multi-player) if you know?

[NoMoneyNoQuality]

That sounds like a great series and would love to watch it. My question is what different fields are there, if any. For example, a game designer who designs the story or the graphics or the maps/enviornments. I'd like to know more about what it takes to do those or if they are all split into different jobs instead of being like sub-jobs of video game design. Anyways, sounds cool!

[hekar]

I'm a modder and making a game is a lot harder than it looks. Whether artwork or coding. I find myself doing more research than coding.

Anyway how did you get to where you are? Where did you learn computer programming etc...?

[AntiCliche]

What amount of raw code do you have to deal with?

[Dadalama]

please balance out the experience real good I DON'T like grinding.

[Xenu]

Game programming is like being a Playboy photographer in the 60s & 70s (back when the women were really beautiful): it is the DREAM JOB! You are a god!!!! -- I always wondered how the graphics are designed. Does one do it through some techinical program where codes are translated into images or are images created outside the program and then translated into "computer"?

[Dadalama]

that and it's really really hard... well for different reasons <.<

[Xenu]

Yes, I was going to mention that, but I forgot. Tough jobs. You pun does not escape me!

[martnik]

Hi!

How much do you (generally) reuse stuff/code from older games, such as physics/graphics-engines or other kinds of stuff?

/Mat

[ditzystef]

oh em gee, you say 'hey guys' like moi...

[Castaa]

sigh...

[KennyWrites]

Looks like a cool new series, Jon! I worked as a Software Engineer in an Artificial Intelligence Lab for several years so I'll be interested to see if you mention any aspect of AI in games in your upcoming episodes...

[onemon22]

My question is; Is there a game out there that lets you design your own caricature. Yes I think I answered that I am just thinking of wrestling games where you can create your own wrestling caricature. Also world of warcraft where you enhance your caricature. Of coarse don't forget about the Sims. But is there another game that lets you actually select the genre of the game, and I am not talking about creating an avatar.

[newzikiwi]

I Enjoy Stuff Like That Too

[QuestionMarkFTW]

Sounds like a good idea...I'm interested in what you have to say because I'm aiming to become a game developer myself. Everyone else seems to of already asked any questions I would of asked or suggested.

[PointsofOriginII]

Good idea! I've done four games myself and use to work for Creative Wonders.

Start with:

1) Basic idea for a game

2) Game play design

3) Tools

4) Building a scene

5) Special Effects (sound, media, etc.)

6) Bug fixing

7) Packaging

8) Shipping

[Aaroncast86]

Can people get jobs in Game Development as writers/story creators? What sort of qualifications would someone need and how would they go about finding a job?

[ohjoannabanana]

In games such as World of Warcraft or Ultima does someone write a story(or book) first so that the programmers can use that as a reference for what they design?

[StevenErnest]

Hi, Jon, sounds like another great series from you!

Re game development, I'd like to hear about the STORY side of it. From first person shooters that have minimal story -- to the more elaborate games that portray a complex, detailed universe.

Unlike a traditional narrative, game scenarios can take different routes, and have multiple endings. Thanks.

P.S. Happy New Year! ^_^

[TheIronTroll]

Could you give us an insider's look into the development of a game like Star Sonata?

[okioki44]

I am a fan of MMORPGs. I'm interested in the game art and not much into coding. Which aspect of game development allows for more creativity and control over what is implemented into the game?

[TheIronTroll]

What do you feel best prepared you for working on your own game?

[beatulec]

Oki doki, let's see...

I)How do you see the next generation games playing out?

II)What does the new technology allow you to do that you couldn't before?

III)What games do you play, other than your own?

IV)Who do YOU think, is the most accomplished game developer, and why?

[beltino500]

Okay I have a question. What are the general steps to making a game? Like storyboarding, illustrations, character and levels, programming, and software developement. Is there a specific set of steps that the game goes through? Or can it vary?

[beltino500]

Whoa I didn't know you were a game developer. That's great. I'm studying game art and design right now.