Hey guys. I have a strong background in PHP (10 years total, OOP PHP5 right now mainly), javascript, css, etc.. LAMP stuff mainly. My question is, how long do you think it would take someone with my background to migrate over to a C++/game development career? I haven't touched C++ since college in 2000, and we only had one semester of it - really basic stuff so even if I could remember any of it, it'd be wicked outdated anyway I'm sure.

I know C++ is object oriented, and the PHP5 object model has really helped me grasp the whole realm of OOP, so aside from the obvious syntax differences, is there much difference in the logic from C++ to OOP PHP?

Honestly I don't even know where I would start. I'd probably go to Nerdbooks.com and order a C++ book or something and just dive in head first, but I can't imagine I'd have near enough skill after reading one book to get a job at say UBI or one of its partners working on game AI or whatever. I'm just getting really sick of making websites for people - I've always loved games and I've always loved coding, so I think it'd be a job I wouldn't mind going to every day until I retire.

Any thoughts/advice/references are greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

-Sean

Moved to Corner Cubical

I wouldn't be worrying about learning C++. After all it's just a language, and languages are the easiest thing to learn in Computer Science. Instead, I would be worrying about the amount of Math I'd have to learn to begin making video games.

Back at University of Florida one of my friends was making a clone of plasma pong. Forget all the Calculus and differential equations he used in that game. He actually had to buy a big-ass textbook on fluid dynamics and heat transfer in order to write it. LOL.

This post has been edited by Dantheman: 1 Jul, 2009 - 02:17 PM

If you know PHP 4 and/or 5 you should be fine with moving to C/C++. Like Dan said, the math will be more of a difficulty, though for the most part you could probably get by with Algebra and Trig. Then getting the graphics can be hard (If you aren't very graphically oriented), though you may not need to worry about working on graphics if you go into game programming (which it sounds like you are heading towards).

Thanks guys! I definitely hadn't thought much about the math aspect of it. Math basics are a daily requirement in coding websites, but I don't get much into trig or calc. I'm sure they offer the appropriate math courses in those "game programmer" community/tech college degree courses, but the last thing I want to do is get anymore tuition debt since I'm still paying off my student loans from 2000 :\

I have a cousin who runs a team at UBI and I'll ask him what the essential job requirements are for an AI programmer in the field to get a better idea of what I need. Thanks again.

--S--

You want to do Artificial Intelligence? LOL, oh yeah... C++ would be the very last thing to worry about.

I have a little experience with AI, but it's all with Actionscript. I was much more into it back when Levitated.net was putting out crazy open source projects every few weeks.

Anyway, saying C++ is the last thing I need to worry about doesn't really help me much in the realm of figuring out what I do need to worry about

I guess I'll just go buy a game programming book and see what they recommend.

Thanks again guys~
--S---