My start. First Java Game

Newbie & Debugging Questions
#1

Greetings to the JGO community.

First of all some words about me:
Im a 2nd course student. At the moment Im studying Software Engineering in Kiev.
My friendship with Java began half a year ago, but still sometimes I feel friendzoned, and I want it to be vice versa. :smiley:
I`ve got basic skills in the Data Structures and Algorithms.

So we`ve got kind of finals called “course work”. Its a task given to a student and must be done to the end of the term.
Luckily (sarcasm over 9000) my professor is a very kind gentleman (sarcasm over 9000 again) and he gave me a task to write a game.

[quote]-U have 0 experience in developing games? So what?
[/quote]
And not a single f%*k was given that day.

The great thing of this situation is that several years ago I was only able to dream about creating a game. Now a have a chance to improve my ego.

Now the bad side of this story.
Ive never even tried to start coding a game cuz it seems to be quiet difficult. But not the coding seems so scary I dont know any of the basic libraries that may be used, neither I have experience with the game logic/process.
Sad but true. :frowning:
I realize that downloading a source code from an internet/changing the sprites may be a guaranteed “A” for the subject.
But if I do so I`m sure that it would be my last try in creating a game.

To “feed” my ego Ive decided to do it. But the giant wall of questions damages my inspiration. Ive read the articles from the “Articles & tutorials” and still I`m misunderstanding lots of stuff.
I would like to ask U, what helped U when U were a beginner.
Are there some manuals or video-lessons which U found to be useful.

Thank you for reading this till the end.
Good luck :wink:

P.S. If all the same wait for a topic with all the details soon of mygamedevelopment lifecycle.

#2

If Java isn’t your first programming language, then you should have a decent idea on how to proceed. Mostly it’s just about getting used to the syntax and APIs, so you’ll want to run through some java tutorials (the official tutorial at Oracle isn’t too bad) and do a lot of searching for javadoc (I recommend using a firefox search plugin that points at the javadoc for your java version).

Start with some Hello World stuff, then try something turn-based before you go for fast action. Unless you’re already really knowledgeable about OpenGL, I don’t recommend starting with a 3d game, and even then not until you’re comfortable enough with Java to deal with the alien (and IMHO nasty) API that OpenGL presents.

If there’s anything specific you’re stuck on, feel free to ask.

#3

Kevin Glass has a really good Space Invaders tutorial that you might want to take a look at:

http://www.cokeandcode.com/info/tut2d.html

#4

Welcome to JGO!

I love your humor ;D

Regarding game design, this post should explain all the different tools and paths you could take.

Good luck!

#5

[quote]If Java isn’t your first programming language, then you should have a decent idea on how to proceed.
[/quote]
Is not. The first was C#. I still blame myself being lazy while C++ was studied as a subject.

[quote]If there’s anything specific you’re stuck on, feel free to ask.
[/quote]
Such an honor, this place differs from Russian-Programming-Communities.

[quote]Kevin Glass has a really good Space Invaders tutorial that you might want to take a look at:
[/quote]
Thank you! It seems to be interesting, thats what Im looking for!

[quote]Welcome to JGO!
I love your humor
[/quote]
I got blessed by the king. Teach me, master)

Thank you, guys, one more time. :wink:
Now I have tons of information to be read till the weekend and I hope I`ll find time to post the %myfuturegame_name% topic soon.
I promise you that there will be diagrams, simple figures and free cookies :yawn:

#6

Free cookies?! I’m in! ;D