[TheBudgie]

Hello, I am a complete beginner to programming, having done absolutely none before. I am 16 and am interested in programming as a career, most likely in the gaming industry. I would just like to know if any of you have a suggestion for which programming language to learn? I have been told C++ as it's more widely used or Python because it's very simple, or any others you might have in mind, as I haven't started yet. If any of you could provide a link to a decent tutorial as well it would be much appreciated, but I'll be grateful for any help you can give.
And also, with reference to my earlier comment about working in the gaming industry, I was told that it would be a good idea to work there as it is more fun and can potentially earn more money than normal programming, but can anyone verify this? The person who told me this admitted he wasn't entirely sure as he doesn't work in the programming part of the industry.
Thanks in advance

[modi123_1]

The FAQ posted at the top of the forum is full of helpful goodness.
http://www.dreaminco...rogramming-faq/

Quote

I was told that it would be a good idea to work there as it is more fun and can potentially earn more money than normal programming, but can anyone verify this?

It's all relative I believe. There are horror stories from people like 'EASpouse' who talk of insane crunch schedules, lacking profit, and no compensation for 80+ hour weeks. There's also talk of companies folding and pay not happening. Like anything - fun and profit are relative to finding a decent company doing work you enjoy.


http://www.gamecareerguide.com/

[SixOfEleven]

Working for a game dev company would definitely not be "more fun", especially when you are weeks behind on a project and have to meet the deadline. Indie game development, creating your own games, is definitely enjoyable but is still a lot of work. If you want to get into the game development industry you will need a strong knowledge of C/C++ and ASM wouldn't hurt.

[stayscrisp]

TheBudgie, on 15 August 2011 - 09:03 PM, said:

I was told that it would be a good idea to work there as it is more fun and can potentially earn more money than normal programming

More fun would be true some of the time, sure. More money, nope! There is usually more money to be had from developing other software than games, that is the trade off.

[TheBudgie]

Hmm, thanks for the info; based on what you've just told me I'll have to think on that, but either way, should I still learn C++, or would something else be better to start off with?

[ButchDean]

If you want to be very rich don't choose games. Having said that if you're good you will earn well. Salaries are slightly rising now as new people skilled enough to work in games become increasingly rare, and those in the industry leave because of the often intense pressure.

Did you also know that 'gaming industry' is different from 'games industry'? The gaming industry creates casino games for specialist hardware found like those in casinos - whereas the games industry creates games for the PC, consoles and arcades that we all know and love.

I remember the EA Spouse saga and the pressure the industry came under to change work practices in the industry, but luckily I was at a studio where crunch was rarely needed.

[AVReidy]

If you are willing to learn a language like C++, I think you may as well jump into C#. It will be easier but still very powerful, and it will give you the advantage of having XNA for game development. If creating games is more important to you than programming, there are high level languages created for game development only which make making games easier. The only downside is that the languages are far more limited. For example, you could make a game like Halo in C++ if you realllly wanted to, but that wouldn't be an option with a game dev specific programming language.

Go for C#!

This post has been edited by AVReidy: 15 August 2011 - 04:36 PM

[darek9576]

AVReidy, on 15 August 2011 - 04:36 PM, said:

If creating games is more important to you than programming,

You need to know how to program to create games. (i think, might be wrong tho)

[evilyoshi]

You dont have to learn to program to create games.there is software like game maker and scirra construct (construct is freeware). but these are limited, and programming gives you more control and flexibility. c++ is the most widely used programming language, because it is powerful, and learning it would help you get a game development job, since most commercial games are programmed in c++. but c++ is a hard language to start out with, although the difficulty you will have learning depends you. some people will have no problems learning c++, some will. im starting in python, because it is easier to learn (in my opinion) and i hear its good for game development, but it is slow at heavy computing. I apologize that i cannot find the link, but there is a professional game programmer, he suggests learning python before c++. but it all depends on your preference.

[iJasonTATE]

Python, C, C#, C++. Pythons my favorite.


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This post has been edited by iJasonTATE: 15 August 2011 - 07:35 PM

[evilyoshi]

oh here is a free c++ book for you if you are interested in taking a look, it is by the same author of an excellent python book.

http://greenteapress.com/thinkcpp/

and the python version:
http://openbookproje...thon/english2e/

[TheBudgie]

Wow, this is far from unanimous, but I think I'm going to try and learn C++ as it seems to be the most widely used language. With regards to this can any of you link me to a good, easy to follow tutorial? I've found one myself but it's quite hard to follow, so if any of you could help that would be great, thanks

[modi123_1]

Cut the the chase and buy a book. Structured learning will take you farther than thrashing around in the dark with some tutorial. Set up your base then build on top of it!

[ButchDean]

evilyoshi, on 16 August 2011 - 03:34 AM, said:

You dont have to learn to program to create games.there is software like game maker and scirra construct (construct is freeware).

I disagree. It's like putting together a jigsaw and claiming you took the photograph.

[DivideByZero]