What I want to accomplish...

[Kennydin]

So what do I what to accomplish in the next however long? I want to start from the beginning again and learn properly. What I would like is not to create a MMO like World of Warcraft like many people dream of but, I want to have the knowledge to be able to create something (not as complex ofcourse) like it.
I want to build up to able to take an engine and actually build something with it, even make engine adjustments to support different features.
This means I actually have to go back to basics to able to learn and understand what I'm working with.

How do I go about it though?
Learn C++ -> then what?

I always do this... learn bits and bobs, tinker with engines and come out with basically nothing. Then I stop and dont do anything. Im sick of doing this... I wanna get dug in deep.

I need you guys to set me straight and BEAT it into me with your keyboards and your mice (or frisbee your tablet).

That would be very helpful
Kenny

[D3luxe]

So what do I what to accomplish in the next however long? I want to start from the beginning again and learn properly. What I would like is not to create a MMO like World of Warcraft like many people dream of but, I want to have the knowledge to be able to create something (not as complex ofcourse) like it.
I want to build up to able to take an engine and actually build something with it, even make engine adjustments to support different features.
This means I actually have to go back to basics to able to learn and understand what I'm working with.

How do I go about it though?
Learn C++ -> then what?

I always do this... learn bits and bobs, tinker with engines and come out with basically nothing. Then I stop and dont do anything. Im sick of doing this... I wanna get dug in deep.

I need you guys to set me straight and BEAT it into me with your keyboards and your mice (or frisbee your tablet).

That would be very helpful
Kenny

To be honest, I was always the same way as you. I wanted to have the ability to code and create something really cool, but I would always get started then get bored because I couldn't finish anything. Endless cycle, since you never learn enough in the beginning to finish anything big like you want.

That's why I got into graphics and modelling..

However, I do have good news. I am in a Multimedia class right now in college that deals with Flash, which is amazing. I have learned so much from it, but I know that doesn't only apply to Actionscript (Flash's scripting language). It really got me into a coding mentality, so while it was easy enough to get started with and actually create something, it laid down the framework for me to really understand the structure of code for other languages.

I'd suggest that. If possible to take a class for coding (especially flash or java, it seems), it helps dramatically (given the teacher knows what he's talking about, of course).

[Kennydin]

Flash is something Im very familiar with... Its what i started building websites with. However it's not the easiest thing to edit once complete :/ Recently I moved off flash and got into php which is something Im getting on with quite well and have been for a few months now. I think what I need is a community that will help me a long the way. OH WAIT! ? I've joined one I think If I start now I might be able to push forward.
As I said, Im very familiar with the Adobe Suite (Macromedia Suite as it used to be:( ) I mainly use it for graphics and web design. Fireworks for my graphics, Flash for my movies and animation, dreamweaver for my code.

I have always consider learning java, is it capable of what C++ can do?

[Perry]

I have always consider learning java, is it capable of what C++ can do?

Just starting Java is more than enough. I would recommend it over C++ to start. I know the basics of Java and have done a lot with C++ but personally I am starting to like Java more every time I use it.

[D3luxe]

Flash is actually a lot more powerful than you think, you probably are creating it more graphically than dynamically. I have an entire back-end code system that allows for a lot, very easily, and it's very easy to edit.

I personally havn't used Java, and only have dabbled in C++, so I'm not the one to answer that.

[towcar]

Funny story about coding classes

My Grandma, she is a computer illiterate and shes always yelling and kicking at her computer which works perfectly fine for me, wierd huh?
So I was talking to her and her sister on thanksgiving, not sure how this came up since I'm in my teens and there in there 60-80 years of age. They were telling me about their experience on computers. They wanted to learn how to be good at computers instead of the fails they are. So they somehow heard about this ad in the paper about a computer class. They though " Oh gosh geez, this could be our dearest answer" haha so they hand over a fair sum of cash for a 8 weeks course, two days a week computer class.
What I learned was not only were they retarded at computers, they must have been retarded at reading fliers and understanding English. They signed up for a class about basic coding language. They learned something about making a Celcius Number convert to a Farenheit Number using a code. I didn't dare ask what was the code and well geez they dropped out after 4 weeks.

I think its funny, anyway, it helps to have a class to give you right direction (Assuming its the right class your interested in )

[Kennydin]

Flash is actually a lot more powerful than you think, you probably are creating it more graphically than dynamically. I have an entire back-end code system that allows for a lot, very easily, and it's very easy to edit.

I personally havn't used Java, and only have dabbled in C++, so I'm not the one to answer that.

Yeah I was. I started using flash when I was about 10 but didnt really use it to its full potential. After I stopped using it I remember my dad (Who is a Graphic/Web designer) saying about using XML so all you have to do is edit a couple of files and your on your way. INstead of going into the .fla and changing everything. I never really explored it really. The stuff I designed were mainly websites nothing too complex.

[D3luxe]

Flash is actually a lot more powerful than you think, you probably are creating it more graphically than dynamically. I have an entire back-end code system that allows for a lot, very easily, and it's very easy to edit.

I personally havn't used Java, and only have dabbled in C++, so I'm not the one to answer that.

Yeah I was. I started using flash when I was about 10 but didnt really use it to its full potential. After I stopped using it I remember my dad (Who is a Graphic/Web designer) saying about using XML so all you have to do is edit a couple of files and your on your way. INstead of going into the .fla and changing everything. I never really explored it really. The stuff I designed were mainly websites nothing too complex.

I've been working on a couple small games with it, while learning the language...and we've basically been fleshing out a game engine in Flash, which is pretty damn impressive. I never realized Flash could be so powerful, but it is.

Once I learn the language a bit more I might write a tutorial on creating this back-end system if people are interested.

[SpiritWebb]

I am always interested in learning more of flash, granted I only have Flash MX 2004 (AS2), but still. We are wanting to do our game first in Flash and eventually move upward to Unity for the true 3D.

[Falken]

How do I go about it though?
Learn C++ -> then what?

That would be very helpful
Kenny

This post got a bit longer than I expected, and it is not inteneded to scare you from game programming, only point out that making a 3d mmo from scratch is hard and that todays games and even older ones are larger than most realize.

If you think you can do it, start with C++, otherwise learn how to write good code in another langauge first, such as php or other more script like language.

Then move on to understanding c++ and advanced c++, such as classes, alghoritms, inheritance, pointers, and memory management and so on.

Next would be the most boring part, MATH, MATH, and more MATH. You will have a hard time writing a game engine or 3d game without knowing a lot of math. For 3D you need advanced math, such as linear algebra. This is due to that 3d uses vectors and matrices to describe the world. And without knowing how to rotate a matix or vector i 3 dimensions will make it damn hard making a 3d game which does this all the time, especially if you are doing your own engine or editing an engine.

Then you would also want to learn some graphics library, such as directx or opengl. Starting with SDL or XNA might be a good move.

And for MMO and MP games you will also need to learn multithreading for servers, but also for singelplayer.

And with multiplayer comes networking. This requires you to know how different data protocols work, such as TCP and UDP. Also you will need to learn to optimize network traffic and compensate for delays and so on, and overload on servers. And also such things as predicting stuff in a good way to reduce data traffic.

And for MMO you also need somewhere to store data, this means you also need to learn to use databases and access them from your games, not as easy as it sounds sometimes.

Don't want to scare you away from starting but, those are just the major things, other stuff that you will probably need to learn is AI programming, gui programming, tools programming, shader programming, game design, and a lot more. Many universities, atleast in sweden that teach game programming also teach you psychology to make the games attract players and seem real. Also don't forget all art!

This is the reason that you almost never see a single person or even an indie-game studio make a mmo from scratch with own engine, it is simply to much work.

One thing I think many underestimate when wanting to make a 3d game, is the math, which I experienced when making mine, I got stuck quite fast when I was going to program such "simple" things as my own 3rd person camera and so on, the vector math is hard. Hopefully I will learn some of that during my 5 years at university tho

So simply start out small, sure a tic-tac-toe game might not be so cool, but is better time spent as you probably understand it, and therefor learn more, than just copying a tutorial.