Software to create games?

[afccarl666]

Does anyone know any simple, free software for either Win XP or Ubuntu 9.04 that makes simple 2D games? I'd love to start creating games, but I really dont know where to start or how to make a game.

Any help or advice is appreciated.

[Phædrus2401]

This is a good place to start to learn the basic concepts:
http://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker/try

Then if you're still interested you can learn a simple programming language like Python or Java, then C++, then move on and learn how to use the DirectX/OpenGL APIs for 3D games.

[roast]

"RPG maker" was a firm favorite of mine. Very straightforward. S.L.U.D.G.E was also very easy to use, and also free.

-Mick.

[afccarl666]

Thanks phaedrus, this a good piece of software.

Thanks for the suggestions Mick, but I cant find the SLUDGE one. Could you please post a link, that is if you know where I can get it. The other one is nice too, easy to use, shame its only a trial

[floop12444]

Heres a link to the S.L.U.D.G.E dev kit. : http://www.hungrysoftware.com/#/tools/sludge/

[roast]

Thanks floop. I couldnt find S.L.U.D.G.E. myself!

Theres also a great piece of software called FPS Maker - for first-person shooting games, if you want to delve into 3D development.

-Mick.

[afccarl666]

Thanks for the link floop. And thanks Mick for idea. After messing around a bit I think this one's my personal favourite.

I will try the FPS maker you mentioned later.

Phaedrus mentioned Python and Java, how do I go about using these?

[Engineer Babar]

I know about C++.. A lot of games can be made in C++. Are you familiar with programming??

[afccarl666]

Not really, but Im willing to learn, even if it takes a while.

[Engineer Babar]

hmmm. Then i will advice you to learn programing first.. Go for a short course in C++.. That will be helpful.. All the game programmers are excellent in programming.. If you will be able to learn and have a grip on C++, then java will be a child's play.. You can say that C++ is the basic language in the programming world.. Although it looks difficult to some people to learn it in the start..

[Engineer Babar]

whats your age?? am 19..

[afccarl666]

Im 14, so there is still plenty of time to learn.

[Engineer Babar]

oh yeah.. lolz

[koala]

If you're thinking of going into the gaming industry in the UK, see this article: http://www.geek.com/articles/games/u...free-20090911/

..... Crytek has announced it is doing something else positive in the UK by allowing Universities to start using its CryEngine development platform free of charge.

Carl Hilton, managing director of Crytek UK explained the thinking behind such a move:

"Universities are looking to foster creativity and send people out into the industry who have lots of ideas, but it’s also about that practical hands-on training so that they know what the limitations are. It’s very easy for students to come out of the academic world and not have a grasp on the realities of making a videogame. The more we can get involved with them and give them feedback and access to the tools involved, the more accurate the course will become in training people up."

With the complexity involved in creating games increasing with every console generation many developers have turned to pre-built engine solutions such as CryEngine and the widely-used Unreal Engine. It is therefore essential that individuals wanting to enter the games industry have an understanding and practical experience of these development platforms and that is what Crytek is trying to encourage. But the company isn’t just offering the engine for free, it also wants to get involved and help Universities design courses that can use it, or at least help integrate it with existing courses.

[Phædrus2401]

I recommended Python and Java because they're fairly easy to learn. Frankly I hate Java, it has a number of quirks that just get on my nerves (public static void main, whoops everything has to be static blaaaarrrrrggh). But Python is very intuitive and if C++ is too complicated it might be worth spending a month learning Python to get the fundamental concepts of programming down.

[Engineer Babar]

C++ is very easy to learn in the beginning. Its my personal experience.. I don't know about others.. But what about flash for games??

[afccarl666]

Python seems fairly simple. I think Ill try this a bit first, then move on to C++ to see how hard that is.

Ive considered flash, but I havent got it on my PC.

[loraindeniso3]

Original3D Game Creator is a simple yet powerful tool for game creation - simple, because its based around the popular and easy to use BASIC programming language; and powerful, you can arrive nice effects & create a simple game in 30 minutes.