The Longest Journey

Oh Dear, I'm Really Not Very Good At This...

2006-09-11T20:35:00.000+01:00

Well, the good news is I've started to learn programming! Unfortunately, after bouncing around several languages I've decided to use my original choice, C++, as this is the industry standard. I'm doing this through the excellent C++ Primer Plus by Stephen Prata. I recommend you to buy this book if you want to learn the language.

I'm also unfortunately lacking the spare time to do this due to having a girlfriend. I'm gonna try squeeze more hours of learning in when and where I can! Wish me luck...

I'm Back!

2006-01-29T18:39:00.000Z

It's been a long time since I posted here but I haven't been completely lazy. I decided that the easiest language to go with was Java, using jEdit as the programming tool. I also have the Eclipse toolset but I've read that its best to keep it simple to begin with. I've also decided to use the jMonkey Engine as the graphics API when/if I progress that far.

Will try and keep you all posted.

Chris

June Update

2005-06-21T13:56:00.000+01:00

Well, it's been a while since I've posted on here. Not much to update on really, I haven't had the time and (more importantly) the resources (money, in other words) to start any serious self-educating in programming. I also find it difficult to read through loads of tutorials and books without someone to help point me in the right direction, so getting formal education is probably a must. Doesn't help I'm currently at University then!

Another thing holding me back, I need to get my hands on a copy of VS.NET, as I feel this will be easier to learn with than the open source efforts out there (though Code::Blocks looks good). Hopefully I'll be able to do this in the next month or two, then I can fiddle around with it, do 'Hello World' apps, etc.

All in all, a poor effort on my part. Lets hope things improve in the future!

Roadmap

2005-04-26T00:00:00.000+01:00

Well, I thought I'd add a post that showed a very basic 'roadmap' (without an actual timeframe!) of what I plan to do in order to reach the skill needed to program basic 3D applications. Firstly, as I don't even know how to program, I thought I'd use a easy-to-learn language, which of course is VB.NET (as you can see from earlier posts!). Where do I plan to go from here...? NB: Bare in mind that my particular areas of interest are Artificial Intelligence, Game Logic and Graphical User Interfaces, in that order and throughout these stages, I will be reading up on these subjects.

Firstly, I plan to find three books on VB.NET. One aimed very much at beginners, another expanding on this foundation and aimed at intermediate/advanced users, and the last a reliable 'reference' for when I'm coding. This will allow me to build up to advanced use of the VB.NET language, and throughout this I'll learn how to build 'Hello World' apps and so on.
The next stage is the really interesting bit. I'll locate a good book to that introduces the use of the DirectX API with VB.NET (and perhaps another good reference book) and begin to start making real games. By this I mean Tetris! DirectDraw only at this point, not to over complicate things. After this, and in this order, I'll go on to create clones of BreakOut, PacMan and finally Super Mario Bros. I think this should give me a solid foundation for the next stage...
I will by this time (hopefully) be well versed with the inner workings of VB.NET. I will basically be repeating Stage 2, but this time using Direct3D, not DirectDraw (2.5D Engines). This should give me a basic working knowledge of 3D programming. Again, the same games will be made as from above.
Now onto my first real 'game project', the Adventure game. Using the knowledge garnered above, I hope to create a 2.5D Zelda like game using DirectX. Undertaking this task will be a huge learning curve and will be useful even if I fail to complete it. Also, at this time, I hope to start to write an AI Library for VB.NET, as this is of particular interest to me. I will attempt to integrate it into my game.
Stage 5 is when I will venture into the C/C++ language. I will basically repeat the first four stages, but this time using this language. I have been informed by experienced people learning your second language is far easier than the first, and I will look forward to this stage. Again, by stage 4 I plan to write an AI Library for this language.
I will now use my past work to show to Open Source projects and to teams that are modding existing games (Half-Life 2, Doom 3, Unreal, etc.). The Open Source projects will be focussed on AI or GUIs, while the modding will obviously focus on real game development. I plan to stay in this stage for a while, 'til either my work gets noticed (unlikely) or until I feel I've built up a nice portfolio of work.
I approach Indie teams developing games, as well as The Industry itself to try and secure a job. This will be difficult and even if I don't succeed, I will still continue to develop games as a hobby. I may also at this stage start to learn the Python and Lua languages, and develop some sample games driven with scripts with these languages. I also may start my own commercial game, funded by myself. But we'll see... :-)

Well, thats it basically. I may expand upon each section in the future, and obviously I'll keep you updated in the future. Until then, I wish you all the best!

Some Harmless Fun

2005-04-22T13:13:00.000+01:00

I was just browsing through the Net when I came across this link. Its some harmless fun. Answer the questions and it'll tell what Sci-Fi character you are most closely associated with. You can see which one I am below. Enjoy!

My First Post!

2005-04-21T01:05:00.000+01:00

Well, here it is. My first post! Not much to talk about now except that Jet3D is coming along nicely thanks to Paradoxnj and his team. They finished a basic implementation of the DirectX9 driver, and are now moving on to include more advanced features, such as shaders, into the engine. I've been following this engine, and its predecessor Genesis3D for several years. I hope to one day utilise its power to create a 3D RPG.

So, onto what I'm up to. Unfortunately, I'm currently bogged down as ever with essays and such, and so I'm unable to learn what I would like. My future plan (if you could call it such) is to attempt to get my hands on an Educational Edition of Visual Studio .NET from Ebay and then teach myself how to program with VB.NET. The Game Programming Wiki has lots of resources that I'll find useful in creating my first real game project (a story-driven role-playing adventure game built on a DirectX9 2.5D engine, which will have a graphical style similar to the SNES version of Zelda, though with hi-res textures and funky effects courtesy of Direct3D!). Before that though, I'll probably start the steep learning curve this coming summer, doing simple 'Hello World' apps first then moving on up to simple games, but me being me I'll be putting it off indefinately!

So, other than this, and reading up on several gaming subjects (namely AI), its all I have planned for at present. I'll be sure to keep you posted on my progress! Oh and feel free to display my Atom Feed on your website, if you like!