Elysian Shadows

Hey guys, I have found this programming language called Blitz3D and I was wondering what you think about it. Could you please tell me whether or not I should bother learning it, and whether or not I should try to make games using it. Thank you very much.

adamkwal wrote:Hey guys, I have found this programming language called Blitz3D and I was wondering what you think about it. Could you please tell me whether or not I should bother learning it, and whether or not I should try to make games using it. Thank you very much.

Well, this reeeeeeally depends on what exactly you're looking to do/learn. For example:

Blitz is awesome for:
-Making relatively simple games quickly
-Learning basic programming concepts
-Implementing ideas you have before trying it out in a more complex language

Blitz is NOT for:
-Learning advanced programming concepts
-Making large and/or complex games
-Most commercial development

Personally, I love it as a quick way to realize an idea, but this is probably because I'm not really a programmer; it's more of a secondary thing for me. It can also be very useful as a stepping-stone to other languages, if you're looking to be a professional programmer. However, if you're comfortable going straight into C++, then that would definitely be the more efficient route.

I have attempted to learn DirectX and c++ but the amount of code to do simple tasks was huge, and I even figure out how to place an animated model onto the screen. With c# and xna I had an easier time, however I again could not figure out how to do animation. Even though blitz3d is not an OO programing language, I find the simple clean code and the built in collision and heightmap system to be pretty neat. However I am wondering if there are any serious limitations to Blitz3D other then the fact that is not an OO programing language?

I guess what i'm trying to say is: Is blitz3d good enough to create a 3D game, with sound, and perhaps networking, without running at a horrible framerate?

Yes. Not so sure on networking as I haven't looked that much.

adamkwal wrote:I guess what i'm trying to say is: Is blitz3d good enough to create a 3D game, with sound, and perhaps networking, without running at a horrible framerate?

this is my first post here :D

so ok, back on topic! Networking on Blitz3D can be done... but i wouldnt recommend it, jsut get some books on C++ and OpenGl, or use C# and XNA. As far as i know, the C# System.Net assembly is pretty good for sending packets, and its C#... its not hard at all.

so the answer i would give is: Dont bother with Blitz3D, in my opinion its a royal pain in the ass, (although this is coming from a hardcore C++/C# guy xD)

Blitz3D can be quiet a lot of fun devving with, it's using DirectX7 but it gets stuff done very nicely and I've seen very beautiful games created with it. Networking isn't that bad either, there are a few libs for it. If all you want is make games then this is the way to go.

Edit: You should look into BlitzMax, you can choose to go both an easy or advanced route with it.

413xgm wrote:jsut get some books on C++ and OpenGl, or use C# and XNA. As far as i know, the C# System.Net assembly is pretty good for sending packets, and its C#... its not hard at all.
so the answer i would give is: Dont bother with Blitz3D, in my opinion its a royal pain in the ass, (although this is coming from a hardcore C++/C# guy xD)

Not to call you out on your first post (welcome, btw ), but this is the response I was afraid of this thread getting, which is why I responded as fast as I could.

It's worth remembering that not everyone wants to put the effort into programming that you do. Also, he said that he already learned some C++, and didn't like basic things taking up so much time. This is exactly the type of situation things like Blitz3D are made for.

As for limitations, there really aren't too many. You won't get visual effects like cel-shading (on more than primitive objects, that I've seen anyway), or audio DSP like reverbs (my pet peeve), but you can still do a lot, and make great games. Also, this is your best friend: http://www.blitzbasic.com/toolbox/toolbox.php

Code-wise, one slightly annoying limitation I've found is that you can only check a condition once, which I assume was done to try and idiot-proof it, and make it easier to debug your code. There are little hacks around it though.

Short answer: it probably does all or at least most things you're looking for.

Thank you all for the quick and in depth responses. Also thanks for the toolbox link, that will probly save me loads of time I think pretty much what I am getting from this is that blitz3d(or blitzmax) is great for creating quick, simple games or demos, while xna/c# and directx/c++(opengl too?) are what should be used for final products, and/or more ambitious projects. That being said, do you think that if I were to write a simple game, or even a simple game engine in blitz3d, would I be able to port it to another platform/language in the future?

It would take quite a lot of tweaking but you would not need to rethink your logic, just your rendering, file loading, etc.

OK thank you, I think I'll go with blitz3d and make a few games, see how that goes. Hopefully I can have audio, graphics, networking implemented and I'll try to make some kind of simple engine. One last question though, if I ever make a game that is good enough to show, should I make it open source? so that people can critique my code, or even improve it?

Definitely for your first games. This way you can learn, and people can see how well you code :D

Alright, I'll make something and post it eventually. Thx for the help everyone

ahh, sorry, i didnt realize that i said what i waned to say wrong... basically i was meant to give off the message that blitz3D is good for small games, or if you cant be bothered writing massive C++ lines :P my English is quite bad