Game programmin' question

[Crimson Knight]

I started C++ sometime ago(thanks thetruecoolness, I hate you).

Since I hate programming already, I decided to check out a multimedia library for my spoon-fed game developing needs. I've come across Allegro and SDL. Allegro sounds cool because it has pallette manipulation(which would be useful for tinting and sprite recoloring, if allegro doesn't handle all that already), but SDL seems to be the most popular one, and I think it has better management of game assets, like music and stuff.

WHICH ONE ISHT BETTER?

Oh, another question. For those who program in C++, what kind of experiences have you had? Was it too easy/hard, and you wanted to move on?

[Czechs Mex]

Re: Game programmin' question

Programming is hard.

Edit: To actually answer your question, the very first time you program, it's not going to be easy. You are basically trying to learn the syntax of a language and the logic of programming at the same time. But it's like anything else; the more you do it, the more your abilities will develop.

If you want complete freedom over the games you create, learning how to program is the way to go, and I'd say C++ is a fine choice. But if your main interest is creating video games to tell a story, maybe RPG Maker or any other game maker software will more adequately suit your needs.

Learning C++ was my first experience with "real" programming (i.e. not RPG Maker or qbasic), and I found it difficult, but fun. If you're finding it difficult and are miserable, maybe you should think about why you want to create games in the first place. If you're creating these games as a hobby, being miserable while you create them sort of defeats the purpose.

[Crimson Knight]

Re: Game programmin' question

Programming is hard.

My awesomeness would like to have a word with you.

I don't find it hard, surprisingly. Maybe it's because I'm learning in the comfort of my own home instead of being pressured or having to do stupid assignments, who knows. I'm just making little text games on the console now, but soon...


I'LL MAKE TEH BEST RPG EBER!

[Jamos]

Re: Game programmin' question

I considered trying out C++, but I've heard it is pretty difficult. Designing and programming games is the one thing I want to do. Maybe, once I got my problems in check, I'll try to learn the language.

[thetruecoolness]

Re: Game programmin' question

Yeah out of most of the languages I have learned C++ is up there on the difficulty level. If I hadn't lost all motivation to do anything for a while I would probably have a completed simple game or something in it using OpenGL. But now I've gotten into web development and am going to see where that takes me, and then program games in my spare time.

Of course I love programming so I'm biased (though there are those times I really consider throwing something at the computer).

As for which one is better I don't know as I haven't used either. I normally like trying to make my own engines. Then again I like to know exactly how things work, so yeah. And I still haven't finished anything.

[Patryn]

Re: Game programmin' question

Eh. I'm not finding C++ that hard.


Then again, I am taking courses in it at a University, so that may help.

[DarkwingChuck]

Re: Game programmin' question

I've taken a handful of C++ classes, almost finished my associate's in programming. And at this point I have no idea how it can be used to make games. All we've done is countless programs that are basically enter input, calculate, and display output. I actually do enjoy it but it would've been nice if we'd been taught something at least slightly interesting.

[Patryn]

Re: Game programmin' question

Oddly enough, in my first semester several projects actually were making rudimentary card games. No graphics, really, but you had to shuffle, deal, and keep track of stuff.

We also had to make an adaptive rock, paper, scissors game and Connect Four.

[DarkwingChuck]

Re: Game programmin' question

Ah, so I guess it's just that the schools around here suck. Shame.

[Czechs Mex]

Re: Game programmin' question

We also had to make an adaptive rock, paper, scissors game.

Cool. What sort of adaptive methods are you talking here? I've actually read a few interesting papers on rock, paper, scissors agents. I believe there's a yearly agent competition, too (or at least there was for a while).

[Crimson Knight]

Re: Game programmin' question

Like I said Mex, I don't find C++ all that hard. I've had a lot of experience using the RPG Tsukurus(mostly 2), Game Maker(I wanna have sex with GML) and Blitz(I like Max the best), I guess that might've been adequate enough practice to tackle it.

I guess I'll stick with Allegro for now. It was used to create Zelda Classic and if that's any indication, I'm good.

[Czechs Mex]

Re: Game programmin' question

Like I said Mex, I don't find C++ all that hard.

Good. Your initial post was confusing, though. Since you stated that you hate programming, I figured you must be having trouble with it. I also thought you were having trouble because you asked if everyone else thought it was easy or hard.

But anyway, I hope it remains easy for you, and if you're going to be using it all the time, hopefully you can grow to not despise it so much.

[Crimson Knight]

Re: Game programmin' question

Well, I wanted to know what was the better library, SDL or Allegro, and I also wanted to know about other's experiences with C++, that's all.

I still hate programming, but I'll do it if it means being able to create the games I want in an "acceptable" language.

[thetruecoolness]

Re: Game programmin' question

Well if you hate programming, why not shoot for a design position, or something involving graphics. I mean if you can tolerate it fine, but if you really don't like programming why not stick to things like Game Maker and the like. Sure scripting is highly related to programming, but it's usually easier.

Programming in an 'acceptable' language is really only for if you want to pursue a programming career. Otherwise just use whatever you think is easiest. You can make games in almost any programming language, just some are more limited than others and some have better support. Java for instance has a full 2D library built into the base library. Things like XNA come build for making games (that uses .NET I believe, probably C#). So if you want to continue using C++ with a game Library go for it, but from the sounds of it you may be more comfortable using another type of tool without all the tedium of programming.

[Chad]

Re: Game programmin' question

Yes. Sometimes when you are first learning you just might want to give up. It's hard thinking in computer terms when you're first learning. Dereference the address of a double pointer aimed at a triple array? (Note: If you ever have to do something like that, rethink programming.) You've just got to push through and try to learn everything you can.

There are a lot of books out there. I can recommend quite a few.


Edit:

Things like XNA come build for making games (that uses .NET I believe, probably C#).

Correct! Right now XNA uses the C# Express Edition and it give you an asset pipeline to follow. It does lots of nice little things for you. It might be good for you, Crimson, as it still has a full feature programming language behind it. Especially if you've been learning C++, because C# isn't radically different.