"Where to Begin?"

[Moosader]

I am thinking that I will also make a "where to begin" video, since Falco's doesn't really cover certain things I get asked a lot ("How do I learn C++?") aside from "book."

First I think I'll reiterate- do you want to DESIGN games or CODE games? And base that on whether to use MMF, GameMaker, XNA, Flash, or actually C++/Java, maybe have a little line graph of how much coding each require.
(Any other suggestions for the libraries/engines?)

Then, what you need to learn in C++. What exactly "the basics" ARE.
* Variables
* Control statements (if, loops)
* Functions
* Classes
* Inheritance
* Pointers - how to use, use for them
(ava linked to: http://elysianshadows.com/phpBB3/viewto ... ers#p25984
* Understanding libraries
Anything else?

What not to use:
* Visual Basic
* Cobol lol
* HTML
What else?

Where to go to learn C++:
* College
* Books (can you guys suggest some for me?)
* Tutorials (I'll try to compile a list)
-------- Who has video tutorials / other tutorials on their youtube / site, btw??

Communities for game developers:
* TIGsource
* Here
* YouTube (duh)
* ?

[RyanPridgeon]

I think it's important that you explain good usage and practical uses of pointers, because alot of noobs skip them, as they do not see how they could be practically used.

Also I think you should leave out the "What Not to Use", because it's unnecessary and you could get some disrespect from people who like those languages :P

Also I think you should explain about libraries; what they are, how to use them etc. Because I think most people get confused when they reach the end of a C++ tutorial and are left with iostream...

Just my two cents. ;D

Good luck, can't wait :D

[Moosader]

Also I think you should leave out the "What Not to Use", because it's unnecessary and you could get some disrespect from people who like those languages :P

God forbid I invoke the wrath of the Cobol and HTML Game "programmers"

[Moosader]

Alright alright, leave off the "don't use VB to make games" since the iRC peoples are complaining. ;P

[Falco Girgis]

I left off "how do I learn," because if they are that dumb, they shouldn't be programming in the first place.

[Moosader]

I left off "how do I learn," because if they are that dumb, they shouldn't be programming in the first place.

Yeah, but you forwarded them to me, so now I keep getting asked how to learn C++ and I have to give them something to start on, 'cuz I can't answer it for each individual email. :P

[Maevik]

antiRTFM has a some really good C++ tutorials on YouTube that helped me out a lot. They were the best vid tutorials I could find.

[dandymcgee]

What not to use:
* Visual Basic
* Cobol lol
* HTML
What else?

I think this is a perfectly valid argument, but the way it's stated is awkward.

Maybe "What isn't going to help you 'program' a game:" would be more appropriate? HTML is fine... just not for games.

Aside from debatable opinions (which I most certainly agree with haha), it looks like it could help out a lot of people and your reply times.

[Ewan]

I think it would be very cool if you talked about graphics APIs in more detail.

Also for communities there's gamedev.net and the Game Maker Community: http://gmc.yoyogames.com/, for anyone using game-maker.

[Falco Girgis]

... And there is kind of our community.

[Moosader]

... And there is kind of our community.

It's in the original post. :P

[Ewan]

... And there is kind of our community.

It's in the original post. :P

Falco got told.

[aamesxdavid]

Any time someone wants to actually make their own game as opposed to using RPG maker (sorry, I know that gets a lot of hate here) but doesn't want to make their own engine, I always use Panda3D as an option: http://www.panda3d.net/

Python scripting, open source, and there's a ton you can do with it. It's absolutely great as the middle ground between C++ coding and Blitz (which I'd also put as an option somewhere, because it's actually decent). Oh, and the Panda3D community is the absolute best engine-specific one I've ever seen.

[Ginto8]

The only place you have to direct them: Google.

[eatcomics]

The only place you have to direct them: Google.

tru dat! I learned most of the c++ I know from google!