Elysian Shadows

Let me begin by saying that I am quite new to SDL, and programming in general.
I took a look at the Programmer's Education Index (and similar threads) and found some very helpful posts, but the articles and diagrams about engine class structure seems to go right over my head. I've read through lazyfoo.net's SDL tuts probably 4 or 5 times and I am getting the hand of learning SDL's functions and what not, but I have no clue how to actually go about learning to make a game. Most of lazyfoo's tuts were a "one file" type of structure. I've made (really) basic games like Lusikka Mage's Pickin' Sticks ( :] ) but getting the hand on how to do that "better" with some basic OOP is what I am struggling with at the moment.

So my question is, are the any basic example on how to create some basic engine classes without getting too in depth for a beginner? or perhaps if anyone else has struggled with this in the past what you did to overcome it?

Thanks and I gotta say, this little community here is really awesome!

I'm not entirely sure what the question is.

Have you read the book 'Beginning C++ Game Programming' by Michael Dawson ?
It is an excellent book which gives you an introduction to C++ programming from a games perspective.

N64vSNES wrote:I'm not entirely sure what the question is.

I'm guessing it's the part where he says "So my question is..."

As far as good beginner OO examples, I don't really remember any of the resources I used as it was quite a few years ago now. I would try to find a good book on Object Oriented Design.

Armyof1 wrote: So my question is, are the any basic example on how to create some basic engine classes without getting too in depth for a beginner? or perhaps if anyone else has struggled with this in the past what you did to overcome it?

Well, for this kind of question there is no easy answer imo.
For the most part, its learning-by-doing - and improving upon your mistakes
Then I would start learning and understanding different design-patterns and go on to actually analyze what "big" game-engines like the SourceEngine or Unreal are using.

I think this article might be helpful on how a game can be structured (not sure if you already read it, since its on LazyFoo)
http://lazyfoo.net/articles/article06/index.php

Milch wrote: I think this article might be helpful on how a game can be structured (not sure if you already read it, since its on LazyFoo)
http://lazyfoo.net/articles/article06/index.php

GAH! Thank you! how did I miss this?! lol

Armyof1 wrote:

Milch wrote: I think this article might be helpful on how a game can be structured (not sure if you already read it, since its on LazyFoo)
http://lazyfoo.net/articles/article06/index.php

GAH! Thank you! how did I miss this?! lol

Yeah, a lot of people seem to miss that whole Article section: http://lazyfoo.net/articles/index.php

There's some awesome stuff in that section.

What the hell?

Hidden link!!!!!

Khearts wrote:What the hell?

Hidden link!!!!!

Believe it or not it's on the top of every page on his site.