I Know What I Want to do When I Grow Up!

[serpentrose]

I want to make video games. Which means I will need to learn at least one programming language. Does anyone have any suggestions of a good one to start with?

here is an outline of the type of game I want to make:

• RPG with turn based combat.
• Wide selection of character options
• A job system inspired by FFV
• Some random dungeons for sidequests.
• An ability

Comments

[lady_sodayah]

I would suggest you choose another career. There are a ton on Video Game designers that are on EI I should know I am one. There are too many of us looking for jobs and not enough $$ and studios for every one.

I'm not looking to work for anyone.

[serpentrose]

I'm looking to build a skillset so that I can make games. This isn't about something that will neccesarily earn money, though I hope it does, this is about making something I can be proud of.

Were I hoping to get a job for a game studio I wouldn't be asking 'what computer language could I learn to best help me make my game' I would be asking 'What courses could I take to get a certificate that would grant me the best chance of employment.'

[serpentrose]

I'll be sure to check those out.

[gruberman]

Although video games aren't my field, it seems like most games are a combination of an engine in C++ and a scripting language such as Python, Ruby or Lua. So you'll likely need to learn at least two :P

I would start with Python or Ruby since they are both full languages with tonnes of libraries and tutorials. They are vastly easier to learn and use. And a turn-based RPG for modern computers could probably be written entirely in them without having to resort to C++. Programs in C++ are often order or two of magnitude faster than ones in languages like Python or Ruby, but the language is more complicated, difficult to learn, error-prone and less efficient in terms of programmer time. I like Python, but I discovered it before I discovered Ruby (which is something of the new hotness, especially in web programming).

Lua is less of a stand-alone language. It's designed from the ground up to be embedded inside programs written in C or C++.

[serpentrose]

Considering that I'll be learning whichever language(s) I use from scratch it's probably best to go with something not overly difficult.

I've thought about learning Python before, but didn't have any motivation to do so.