Hi to everyone

Newbie & Debugging Questions
#1

I will looking for a presentation section, but i didn’t find it. I’m a java business developer from Italy, I got knoweldge on java and many frameworks like spring, jakarta struts, open jpa, grails, etc… But my dream is always be to create a video game. So I’m looking for some help and I’ve found this amazing forum.

I’ve read the newbe resources but I need to clarify my mind, if i want to create for example a little game to start like pong or break out, the best way it’s to do it all on my own, there’s no library that i can use who can be helpful?

slick2d is too advanced for noob?

thx for your help, and scuse me for my english but i don’t believe in google translators. ;D

#2

@TheMan80

Welcome to this forum. :wink:

It depends on your case. If you are thinking just to make the game, I would recommend libraries like LibGdx and Slick2D which are basically abstractions over low level stuff. If you are thinking to learn the underlying concepts and go to low level like rendering the graphics yourself, you may be interested in learning OpenGL with LWJGL.

If you think that it is advanced, it is best to start with Java2D, then move to LibGdx and when you are comfortable with them, go more deeper into the topics.

Welcome to the forum once again.

#3

Thanx for your reply.

Maybe the best practice it’s to start with Java2D, I will learn the base of game programming.
So in the future it should be simpler to learn the right way to use other libraries. 8)

#4

Exactly. Once you learn the basics the libraries are infinitely more useful.

#5

A good way to get started is by making a simple game, meaning a game that is simple to implement. For example, a tetris clone is a good starting point, much easier than a platformer, and achievable unlike a MMORPG which many people seem to want to start with :D. From tetris work to more complex games. Other good starting games are Breakout or Pac-Man, both of which are relatively easy to develop but require you to learn all the basics of game programming (i.e. the game loop, timing, input handling, graphics, sounds, making content, deployment, …).

p.s. your English is perfect.

#6

I actually skipped tetris and all that, those games just weren’t fun to me. Sure, they’re easy to code, and its good practice, but its so boring and so generic. I started out by just making a tile engine, honestly. I figured out how to draw a rectangle, then how to offset things, then how to scroll them. That was basically my first “game”. I guess my point is that do what you want for your first game, just have a reasonable goal. But if your first project is something you don’t actually want to do, it may frustrate you and make you rethink your decision to start games. Just a suggestion!

#7

Good point, having fun is very important. Making a game is quite something different from making a tile engine though. If you want to learn how to do some cool experiments and play around then of course, do whatever you think is most fun. If you want to learn what is involved in finishing a real game, including tuning/balancing gameplay (making it into an actual game that is fun to play), polishing graphics/audio, making a easy to use deployment package, adding documentation, creating a website and distributing it, then you are probably best off starting with something really simple (which is unfortunately also quite boring). Maybe do a slight variation on one of the formats (upside-down tetris with balloons, circular breakout, whatever) to make things a bit more interesting.

#8

Very true, I’ve only ever finished a few of my games, and most of them were very small. But when you do finish a project you’re working on, it feels so good and it makes you want to learn more. Right now I’m addicted, I love these forums and I love working stuff out for my game. Whenever I get any recognition for my work, I get really happy and addicted again. So just do whatever you want to do, but realize that making a game from start to finish will give you more satisfaction than just what I did, making a small project.