Tova7 Tova7

Gamers? Programmers? Help!

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Gamers? Programmers? Help!

from JoeUser Forums
Ever since my 9 year old son bought Halo for his computer he won't stop nagging me about how to write computer games. (Like I know, I'm lucky to get on the net using windows!)

So since he won't shut up about it I was wondering if someone could tell me what "language" (I don't even know if that is the correct term) games are written in.......is there something he can do now? Learn now? Is there a book or something like that I could get to help teach him? A place you have to start to learn to write games....or whatever.

I don't know if he can learn this stuff or not, however, I want to supply him with the opportunity, if he learns just enough to appreciate the complexity of the games he plays, it will be money well spent.

Thanks.
55,145 views 35 replies
Reply #26 from Stardock Forums Top
I would agree with BakerStreet there and what was previously said. Modding a game is fun and your child can see the results. Play them too. Morrowind and its sequel Oblivion has a nice construction set which you can make plugins with. From new characters and items to monsters to new dungeons. Learn how to make 3d stuff, how to add scripts. While keeping it fun.

Here is a link to a good resource. Link It's a wiki, basically an online collaborative where users can edit pages. It's built to show people how to use the construction set and explain features. It also shows you step by step how to build a tutorial dungeon. It goes through the various processes, from the layouts to adding treasures to putting in monsters.

Later on ( a few years if interest still persists ) consider something like Visual Basic for a first computer language, many tutorials and help. Plus you can make applications/programs/games that run in windows.

All the computer interest and programming experience should also payoff when it comes to college. Getting a headstart there!
Reply #27 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thank you Supreme Shogun...we will check out the link!
SoundPackager - Customize the Windows sound scheme
Reply #28 from JoeUser Forums Top
I learned how to code around that age, and I wrote mostly games, so it can be done. I learned GW-BASIC at the time, but I would suggest starting him on C. The best C book is actually written by the original authors of the language itself. I have it at home, and I will write the particulars when I get there.
Reply #29 from JoeUser Forums Top
The best C book is actually written by the original authors of the language itself. I have it at home, and I will write the particulars when I get there.


That'd be great thanks. Right now he is ready to be learning some sort of programming code. I got a few things mentioned above for him...the games anyway, and he has them mastered...so I think he's ready for the next step.

Reply #30 from JoeUser Forums Top
One thing I can suggest, don't bother with visual basic. C is harder, but it would teach more on how computer works and most of programming needs are on C or its varieties and not visual basic.
Reply #31 from JoeUser Forums Top
I forgot to tell you about the book. Sorry.

The book is called The C Programing LanguageSecond Edition by Brian W. Kernigan and Dennis M. Ritchie. The second edition gives the ANSI C standard for C.
Reply #32 from JoeUser Forums Top
Thank you Martimus. I appreciate it!
Reply #33 from JoeUser Forums Top
Tova,

If the C is over his head, I have a REALLY geeky suggestion for you:

If you guys can find an Apple II, TRS-80 or Commodore 64 emulator program for your computer, my kids have a bunch of old 3-2-1 Contact! magazines they were given by a friend that have various BASIC programs in the back. Now, mind you, BASIC isn't the same as C, but the same concepts apply I'd be happy to send copies to you if you wanted to go this route (I have to keep the original, though, as I have an old Apple IIc I'm going to fire up to teach my kids the concept).

It is also possible, although I haven't checked into it, that they could have some kid sites with short programs that kids can put together on an XP computer.
Reply #34 from JoeUser Forums Top
If the C is over his head, I have a REALLY geeky suggestion for you:


Thanks Gid, we will try the C first and see how that goes once he gets back on track with his school work.

I appreciate the offer. Thanks!
Reply #35 from Stardock Forums Top
Judging by the computer problems you're having (won't shut off and the hard drive is very loud), it sounds like there may be some hardware issues. While that's a pain, it's probably worth a call to the store where you bought it to see if they can fix those two problems.

I won't say that either problem definitely will kill your PC, but neither one is a good sign, and either one could kill it.

Especially the unwillingness to shut off is just a plain malfunction. No way to know how serious it is, but if you have the time, the best way to save money is to hold the store accountable for the computer they sold you. Call them on the phone, explain the problem, and ask them if you can come in and have them fix it.

That's one down side to computers: They're very cool and powerful, but they can take a surprising amount of time (yours or somebody you pay!) to keep running. Most machines run without a hitch for years, then get very cranky for no reason I can ever figure out! It just comes with the territory...

On the powering down mode, one thing that works on many PCs is to press the power button down, and hold it down while you slowly count to 5. "Thousand one, thousand two..." On several different types of machines, that's what they call a "hard power down".

Hope this helps!