Video game programming in 2015?

[shponglefan]

I was wondering if there are any programmers here (professional or hobbyist) that could maybe shed some light on programming games in this day and age.  Mainly I've been thinking about getting back into programming and maybe trying to write a game.

Now I do come at this with some prior experience.  I started programming on an Apple IIe in BASIC and worked my way up to DirectX on Windows 95.  But ironically it was after going to college for programming that I decided I didn't really want to do it professionally.  So with the exception of web progamming (i.e. ASP, PHP, Javascript), I've haven't done much programming since.  And certainly no games stuff.

What I'm curious about is what has possibly changed over the last decade-and-a-half.  It looks like C++ is still popular, and Java as well.  Not sure about other languages though and modern development environments.  Do people still use Visual Studio or are there better options?

[pbj]

10 PRINT "Hack the Planet!"
20 GOTO 10

[shponglefan]

10 PRINT "Hack the Planet!"
20 GOTO 10

 

[Generic Eric]

What I'm curious about is what has possibly changed over the last decade-and-a-half.  It looks like C++ is still popular, and Java as well.  Not sure about other languages though and modern development environments.  Do people still use Visual Studio or are there better options?

I like to read about programming as more of a hobby than actually having a hobby as a programmer.  I think the biggest change is programming for handheld devices.  I think of Unity as an example.

We are lacking in modern updates to our favorite games on PCs.  247 Missiles is a great re-imagining of Missile Command.  A nice home run derby is missing too.

I'll tell you though, that I think the portability has gotten awful lazy.  Nothing displeases me more than seeing a game I just bought from Steam using XBOX360 onsceen icons.

[nitrogen_widget]

If you do decide to take up programming again can I suggest you build for cross platform compatibility?

[Generic Eric]

Are you interested in input on what people what in a game?

Support for speedometers and tachs would be great.  I'd really like to see being able to hook up a second display for radar like in flight sims or star wars games.

Or something like that NAVE game where the bezel lights up.  I don't care what anyone says, that looked cool. 

[shponglefan]

If you do decide to take up programming again can I suggest you build for cross platform compatibility?

Are you interested in input on what people what in a game?

Support for speedometers and tachs would be great.  I'd really like to see being able to hook up a second display for radar like in flight sims or star wars games.

Or something like that NAVE game where the bezel lights up.  I don't care what anyone says, that looked cool. 

I think you guys  are waaaaaay ahead of me here.  At this point I haven't even decided what programming language to look at, let alone if and what I'd even make.

Right now I just want to get an idea of modern game development: what languages are being used, what APIs, IDEs, and so on.

[Slippyblade]

One of the best resources I can recomend is a website.  Gamedev.net.  TONS of tutorials, articles, forum, etc.

[RayB]

Android: Java
iOS: Objective C (people HATE IT!)

On PC: C# and .net

[Spastic]

I've been doing professional video game programming for 15 years now, and for PC/consoles it's pretty much just C++ and Visual Studio.  The Unity engine is C#, but that's the exception.  One nice thing is that with the latest generation of consoles they're pretty much just PC's, so you can target Xbox One/PS4/PC without too much extra work.  If you're looking to mess around with game programming I would highly recommend Unreal 4, it's very well done.  Unity has some nice aspects too, especially if you're into C#.

[pbj]

I've been doing professional video game programming for 15 years now

Name three commercial games that gave you a production credit

[Spastic]

Name three commercial games that gave you a production credit

Lol, well that escalated quickly!  Here's my Mobygames page.  I've worked on multiple custom engines, plus various licensed ones.  I don't want to claim to be an expert on mobile games, but for PC/console I feel like I've got a pretty good handle on it.

http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,104992/

[pbj]

Good.... Good....

 

[shponglefan]

Thanks for the advice, all. 

I've started looking into C# and various options.  MonoGame looks interesting as a framework...

So many options, though, it's getting confusing.  I remember when it was so simple.. just C and asm.

[eds1275]

I do a little programming here and there.

Unity is what I use for the game engine. I use C# however it also runs what they call UnityScript which is basically a modified javascript. If you are used to js then you could probably be up and running in no time. I think it also supports something called boo.

Starting on February 23rd, there is a Coursera course on beginning game programming using C# and Microsoft XNA studio that I'll be taking. https://www.coursera.org/course/gameprogramming

With very limited programming experience I managed to write all the code for my video game Ramp and Roll which you can find in my signature.

[Generic Eric]

Starting on February 23rd, there is a Coursera course on beginning game programming using C# and Microsoft XNA studio that I'll be taking. https://www.coursera.org/course/gameprogramming

How does something like this work?  Obviously it is online, but do I have to be in front of the computer every night at 6pm Pacific?

[eds1275]

Not at all! At the beginning of the week they unlock all that weeks course materials, and you do it in your own time. At the end of the week, there is the "peer review" process where you take a peek at another student's work to compare.

I have done probably 12 coursera courses and even though there is no paper/credits at the end of them I find it a great way to learn for the sake of learning. They often say it's "4 hours a week" but often I can get through the work in an hour or two.

[Generic Eric]

Starting on February 23rd, there is a Coursera course on beginning game programming using C# and Microsoft XNA studio that I'll be taking. https://www.coursera.org/course/gameprogramming

I'll see you in class.

[wp34]

I do a little programming here and there.

Unity is what I use for the game engine. I use C# however it also runs what they call UnityScript which is basically a modified javascript. If you are used to js then you could probably be up and running in no time. I think it also supports something called boo.

Starting on February 23rd, there is a Coursera course on beginning game programming using C# and Microsoft XNA studio that I'll be taking. https://www.coursera.org/course/gameprogramming

With very limited programming experience I managed to write all the code for my video game Ramp and Roll which you can find in my signature.

Thanks for this.   

[yotsuya]

Signed up. I want to sit next to Eric.

[Generic Eric]

Signed up. I want to sit next to Eric.

Do you like to sit in the front row and ask a lot of questions?  I like to sit in the front row and ask a lot of questions.

[BorgDog]

I'll be in the back row keeping my head down and ears open... or leaning against the wall sleeping like most of my college career.

Thanks for the info this should be fun.

[eds1275]

The best part is there's no need to brown bag your beverages!

[AzureKnight]

I am a professional programmer (not in the game industry however).  I've taken a few cracks at making a game over the years but I tend to burn out before it reaches completion.

My latest experiments have also have been with the Unity engine.  I'm finding it fun to play around with.

[lilshawn]

if someone were to make an "arcade" type game that i could stick in a cabinet and people would pay money to play, i'd buy it. in a heartbeat.

video games have slowed right down. last game we purchased (Kit or otherwise) was "friction" and it's been a real snorefest. been out for a few years and the machine still hasn't made it's cost back yet.

make a good game, do commercial licensing for it , vendors will buy it.

just sayin' 

[eds1275]

I made a thread here in the software forum for anyone else taking the course, or anyone who wishes to discuss things like 3d modelling for games, game engines, etc etc.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,143925.0.html