What else should I know?

Newbie & Debugging Questions
#1

Good day.

I started learning LWJGL recently, and I’ve read the “LWJGL Basics Tutorial Series” and “Slick-Util Library (Introduction)” from here. I have a basic game loop going on, and I’ve learned to deal with keyboard/mouse IO. I have intermediate knowledge of Java, and I am at the process of reading Java Killer Game Programming. After I’m done I will move to Game Architecture And Design: A New Edition. On the meantime, I will do some general OpenGL readings.

My ideal goal is my own multiplayer RPG. I’m still not sure if I wanna make it 2D or 3D, but anyway - is the path I’m taking correct? Should I start making a game now, or do more reading first? If so, when will I be ready? What are some more good tutorials, lectures, and books? I am very determined because I always leave projects before I’m done with them, so this has mental value to me. I have to finish this. Please feel free to suggest any sort or tips that you feel I should know, I would appreciate it greatly.

Thanks in advance!

#2

I’m in the same boat as you pretty much.

I took a class in programming at school, watched the Bucky tuts, and currently reading Killer Game Programming. They all have taught me a lot, but what has taught me the most is just programming. I’ve made a few programs with some mild success but right now I’m trying to make just a simple Rock, Paper, Scissors game and it is a lot harder than I initially thought. I find my self having to rifle through countless examples and asking tons of questions.

What I’m doing now, and I suggest to you, is get a copy of Killer Game Programming and read a chapter, after reading a chapter try to master what he is trying to do by creating a program of your own.

#3

You have to start small. That is if you want to keep your sanity! I have been programming games in Java for 6+ years now… when I first started though I think my first ‘game’ (if you can call it that) was Conway’s Game of Life. I would recommend starting with simple single player games before moving up to a multiplayer RPG. Each time you finish a game (even a small one) you take away a lot of knowledge and develop your own style. I cringe at my code from earlier days! haha! My $0.02

#4

Keep it simple. What I would suggest is to watch TheCodingUniverse’s videos here: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheCodingUniverse and get the OpenGLSuperbible. Once you have gone through that, make a simple 2D game, and see where you are. If you still want to make your game, figure out if you are going to write your own game engine, or if you are going to use something else(like jMonkeyEngine). If you finally have a game engine and a rough game design, add single player first, and have a plan for converting over to multiplayer. If you have difficulty finishing projects, MP will not be your friend, so be warned :slight_smile:
Sorry for the (sort-of) rant.

Good luck!

#5

Thank you guys for your replies.

I just finished a very ugly Tic-Tac-Toe. It took me way more than I predicted(~4 hours). On the other hand I’m a bit more comfortable with the library now, and I also have this good feeling when effort pays off.

@Nicky-G-: That’s more or less what I’m doing, to be honest :slight_smile:

@zngga and OpenGLShaders: Fair enough. Learning to code singleplayer before multiplayer makes sense. Thanks for the link.

Also I was expecting it to be difficult, so no worries. I realized that a few days ago when I tried to go over what I know versus what I need to learn. lol.