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Sorry if there is already a question like this, i searched but didn't found the answers i'm looking for. I need advice on what should i focus more and where i should start, i need a plan. Currently i'm in arts school and i do have a passion for programming since i was 10. I have some web programming experience (php, mysql, js, etc) and i am capable of learning and understanding a new programming language like C++.

The question is, where i should start? On what i should focus more, the design part(concept art, character design, 3d modeling) or the programming part. What 3d modeling software i should use? (3d studio max or maya)? What books i should read and in which order?

When i started learning web development i did it on my own, and i got lost, i didn't knew what i should do next, i read poor articles that didn't taught me a thing and it took me a while. So, with this said i would like to start getting into game development right, and i think your advice and your support will do the best job for me and for other people in my situation.

Thank you!

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Many asked similar questions and most of their topics got closed. Don't think you will have much luck here as your "question" does not fall under the GDSE standard. – Sidar Aug 26 '12 at 0:38
You need passion rather than a plan. Then everything falls into place naturally. Find out whats fun to you and just do it. Then you'll be good – Maik Semder Aug 26 '12 at 0:50
@Sidar Don't thinks so, the questions that are closed are questions like "What technique should I learn" or "Should I invest into this Game Course". First isn't what asked, and second is closed because its so localized, which isn't the case here. – Mr. Beast Aug 26 '12 at 0:58
You are under the assumption that you both need to know art and programming. They are 2 different departments. Even though a designer usually needs to know some programming/scripting to create it's worlds/levels. This is a subjective matter as to where your focus is. 3D modeling software is purely based on your environment in which you work. It's again subjective. You will find that in every answer it comes down to what YOU want ( except for the book recommendation, but then again people tend to be subjective about what is a good book). – Sidar Aug 26 '12 at 1:13
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There are 1) too many questions here and 2) all of those questions are subjective. So this question as-is isn't a good fit for this site. That being said, my suggestion is to find a game you want to make, and come back to the site when you have a specific question about how to make something happen that you're having trouble with. – Tetrad♦ Aug 27 '12 at 6:52

closed as not constructive by bummzack, Nicol Bolas, Jonathan Hobbs, Tetrad♦ Aug 27 '12 at 6:53

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2 Answers

up vote 0 down vote

Since you already know the programming basics there shouldn't be much guidance needed. All you need is experience.

Well, maybe you should first try to get into creating games as hassle free as possible, to get an idea of scale, of what works and what doesn't. I would suggest you trying Unity for this. Once you have created a few smaller games with it (or one bigger), you can still look what you want to do. If you want to become a game programmer you should learn C++ and have a few tries at writing a very basic, 2D engine so you get a feel of how the actual technical core may look like. After that, well, maybe try to get hired or try to make your own product. By that time you should be able to decide that.

The art part of the game is a completely different section since it neither involves the gameplay mechanics nor the technical side of the game. It's unimportant what software you learned, all that matters is that you can create "good" art within short time frames. And that simply takes a bunch of practice.

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I kinda disagree. Knowing the programming basics doesn't make you a good programmer. It's possible to write code that compiles and works just fine without knowing much about OOP, datastructures, algorithms et al. I was in a very similar situation as the OP and I wrote really shitty code before I actually went ahead and studied it. Learning to work in a team is also really important. – bummzack Aug 26 '12 at 7:45
up vote -3 down vote

just make pissed off snakes, a rip off of angry birds and make a million bucks, then sell off the company to zynga and retire

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