Home made games

[milin]

I'm sure there isn't one programmer, that can do more that type-your-name-your-name-is program (some even consider this to be one), that hasn't tried or has successfully managed to create a (video) computer game. The reason I'm writing this is because I've stumbled upon a game I've created years ago and am shocked to see what bull***t I've been doing as a kid. The code is horrible, IF statement's popping up for no obvious reasons and functions I've used because I had no clue what they do, but were written in a tutorial for something I copied and didn't have the time/will to check what actually needs to be there. So, this post's intention is for you to put any mind-boggling games you've done in the past (or lately but not admitting the truth ) and write your impressions from the world of game making. Also, I'd like to ask what do you think of a programing language called DarkBASIC. I am aware that any programing language that has "Basic" in it's name cannot do wonders (and C# would eat it for breakfast), but my curiosity outweighs my programing believes. So, begin!

[johnny]

Well, currently I'm reading some of my computer science book, and I also have the C++ textbook. I am just a begineer to programming, and I don't know how to write program language for video games. But, it does sound very interesting project. I know few games out there (World of Warcraft, of course ), and I'm pretty sure some programmers were part of making the game. I wonder how many codes it would require to write all the codes for video games, but probably thousands. I hope you will learn more and enjoy programming, and I hope everyone else does, too.

[CRGreathouse]

I've only done one serious game, which was way back in 5th and 6th grades. It was a graphical 'real-time strategy' game played against a computer AI. You built structures and units (maybe 8 types of units and 15 types of buildings) and tried to destroy the enemy stronghold. Units could be either ranged or melee. There was no manual targeting; each unit would find a nearby unit to hit. You could, though, target masses of units.

The AI was poor, so I had to give the computer various advantages to give it a chance. Also, ranged units massively slowed down the game, since they had to choose between many possible targets. Oh yes, and the game flickered since its redrawing engine was very privative. But it was a lot of fun.

[milin]

Wow... I'm impressed. Good job! BTW, is there a possibility you still have the game?

[CRGreathouse]

Wow... I'm impressed. Good job! BTW, is there a possibility you still have the game?

Highly unlikely, unfortunately... though as it would be in QBasic, I'm not sure that anyone would run it anyway. I think the 286 I wrote it on is long dead, so unless I've kept it on some old floppy it's gone. And even if I did, what are the chances it can still be read?

[julien]

Well, as far as QBasic is concerned, I remember having a version of it running on my first computer (a Compaq PC I bought around 8 years ago); I also remember doing some coding in Basic when I was in primary school (one of my friends' father was a computer engineer and used to give our classes free computer lessons, which was great back then in ...1989 !!!!). Believe it or not, but the random number generator used to be so poor in Basic !!!

[SidT]

In 8th grade I created a Visual Basic class that created games... I rather liked it.

[julien]

Getting back to this post ...
I don't think there are a lot of independent video games developpers left out there on the market because the computer technology involved in games development is already so advanced ... actually, I've heard of quite a few indie programmers who have (very) profitably changed their business area (and moved to other sectors such as professional blogging).
I didn't know of Darkbasic and I find it a very interesting concept (for those who don't know about it you can have a look at http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/DarkBASIC). I'd be curious to try a game completely coded in Darkbasic !
I'd be interested to have a look at CGR's code if he can find it back someday (I'd be able to view it using my old QBasic software which I still have in my Microsoft WIndows backups from the early 90's: wow !).

[asbo]

I dont like games, I see programming as a game.
but as a class requirement I programmed a pass the parcel game to work out how to determine the winner was in specific positions e.t.c
I never need to look back on code as if I programmed it (and decided to keep it for some reason) I improve it as I learn more.