New Drive..

[aamesxdavid]

Some people might think I'm a dick for saying this... but those people probably don't know what they're talking about...

Game programming is one of the most broad, complex fields of programming/computer science. It can encompass everything from hardware and architecture, physics, and algorithms to calculus, linear algebra, and advanced geometry. I firmly believe that just "wanting to make games" is not good enough to become a good game developer.

It might get you started, but unless you have a real interest in the fields of computer science or computer/software engineering, you won't make it far. There is just too much to learn and too much to know for an attitude of "I just want to make a game." You need an attitude of "I want to know how this works, and I want to understand this."

At least 70% of ES is me enjoying the engineering aspect of game development rather than just wanting to make a game.

I agree, with an amendment - this full range you're talking about really only applies to making a game from scratch (engine and all). There are varying degrees of involvement here, and many of them are between coding an engine, and using DarkBASIC or Blitz (to disregard the now infamous RPG Maker), and many of which blur the lines between programming and scripting, or involve both.

I'm sure you were talking specifically about "real" game programmers, who generally do have to be involved in all of this, but it's important to note that there are entire companies devoted to making games in things like Flash, where you don't have to worry about hardware and architecture, and often not even physics. In other words, you can make a living programming games without having to worry about some of these things, so I wouldn't quite brush it off as being inadequate to not have that range of knowledge/experience.

Again, I know you weren't saying it like that, just throwing it out there.

[The Great]

@GyroVorbis:

So you're saying, that if I started learning programming because I wanted to make a game, then I started with the wrong intentions?
& That just because someone happens to be fairly quick at learning programming, it doesn't mean that they have a real interest in the idea of programming itself, but maybe what they are going to get out of it?

And basically that someone with a real interest in programming would not get bored at any step in the process of learning a language?

Every other day, I go from wanting to do programming to not wanting to do it, because:

The bad:
a.) Learning the language feels like work as a means to accomplish something - to start working on game programming.
b.) I have to tell myself to keep going every time I decide to learn some new things, because it feels so much like work, than fun.

The good:
c.) I find the way that programs work to be generally interesting, I get a feeling of awe when I think about how complex games are, or how a computer can do the simplest things, like add two numbers, in binary.
d.) Solving the problems while debugging can make me frustrated, but I usually can't stop working on it until I fix it.

Note: I'm sure it's safe to say that almost anyone can enjoy solving a problem, and the satisfaction it gives them.

[programmerinprogress]

Don't over analyse things like so, just get down to some coding!

If you enjoy coding then code, everyone hates errors, they're a complete bitch, but part of being a competent programmer is being able to debug your code, when you begin to gain a grasp of the syntax and structure of programs, this problem should be greatly reduced (but never eliminate, theres no easy way of saying it)

I can't put this anymore simply than I already have, if you started programming and you have to ask this question, there must be something telling you that you want to program, otherwise you wouldnt be weighing everything up, you would just quit, so stop being so cynical and do some programming, save the cynicism for later when you've finished coding

[The Great]

I like your point of view. I've realized that all of the Java assignments I've worked on for school have been nothing short of addicting.
I think it's just about taking a step back, looking at the small things, and enjoying the programming itself.
I shouldn't be thinking about making a game every day, I should be thinking about the beauty of programming, and how it works technically.

[eatcomics]

I myself love programming I like the challenge, and how it's like a puzzle, and how it's always changing and evolving. In fact I am right now waiting for my family to go to bed, then I'm gonna make some coffee and get to work on my platformer... I think I should actually start now... My mom and brother are putting the Christmas tree together... It might be a while till I'm alone...