Useful Programs?

KC_21 · 03-30-2010, 09:28 PM

I recently went to a work experience program for game design and we got to learn how to use Game Maker for about a week. the instructor taught us the basics on how to make platformers, top-down shooters, maze games and even create our own game! most of it was really going through the tutorials in the site but with the help of a teacher to guide and answer your questions... overall it was fun and a good experience for me. I was wondering if I should continue to learn and eventually master Game Maker or are there any programs out there that would be more beneficial for me as I will be graduating this year.

I am currently trying to soak up as much information about these game design programs as possible and I have been to several school's open houses and events!

P.S Any tips or source that might help me improve my drawing skills?

Retro · 03-30-2010, 09:49 PM

The experience of just building a game can be useful in and of itself. At the very least it can give you a creative outlet, but it's no substitute for continued education, obviously.

As far as drawing goes, I can actually be more helpful in this matter. I always recommend "Drawing on the Right side of the Brain". Here's the link to Amazon, but you can probably find it just about anywhere; http://www.amazon.com/New-Drawing-Ri..._bxgy_b_text_b

Very useful in that it teaches you how to unlearn bad drawing habits that develop through left-brain oriented education... it doesn't teach you to draw so much as it teaches you how to see. That sounds a little strange, but trust me; you'll be amazed at what you'll be able to do once you learn how to observe the world through an artist's eyes.

ndimucci · 03-31-2010, 06:07 AM

If your goal is to be a game designer exclusively, than creating games with GameMaker is fine. It's a fast and easy way to prototype and playtest any design mechanics before implementing them into a more complex engine like Unreal3. However, I wouldn't want a portfolio of JUST gamemaker games on them.

That said, you should learn how to use a 3D development kit such a UDK (or even just UnrealEd3). Level designing is a common entry point for an aspiring game designer and is probably your best bet. Master a level editor, join a mod team, and build that portfolio.

Drawing is something that CAN be taught, don't let anyone tell you it's a "either you have the talent or not" thing, that's complete b.s. The book that Retro linked is a good book to start with, or so I've heard. As with virtually everything, it's all about practice.

tsloper · 03-31-2010, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_21

(1) I was wondering if I should continue to learn and eventually master Game Maker
(2) or are there any programs out there
(3)that would be more beneficial for me as I will be graduating this year.
(4)I am currently trying to soak up as much information about these game design programs as possible
(5)P.S Any tips or source that might help me improve my drawing skills?

1. If you want to.
2. Lots. http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson56.htm (scroll down past the Q&A to the many links at bottom)
3. "Beneficial" is relative and subjective, depending on you and what your goals are. What are your criteria?
4. Game Maker is not a game DESIGN program. Game design is different from game creation.
5. Take art classes. Practice, practice, practice.

KC_21 · 03-31-2010, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndimucci

If your goal is to be a game designer exclusively, than creating games with GameMaker is fine. It's a fast and easy way to prototype and playtest any design mechanics before implementing them into a more complex engine like Unreal3. However, I wouldn't want a portfolio of JUST gamemaker games on them.

That said, you should learn how to use a 3D development kit such a UDK (or even just UnrealEd3). Level designing is a common entry point for an aspiring game designer and is probably your best bet. Master a level editor, join a mod team, and build that portfolio.

Drawing is something that CAN be taught, don't let anyone tell you it's a "either you have the talent or not" thing, that's complete b.s. The book that Retro linked is a good book to start with, or so I've heard. As with virtually everything, it's all about practice.

Thanks for the reply and the comment about drawing, really needed to hear that from someone! I am not sure if I want to be a game designer exclusively but it is what interests me since I have looked into programming and it is definitely something I wouldn't want to do for a future job, but it has been interesting to learn some of it and as of right now I am my drawing skills aren't very good to be in the art side. And from my knowledge the schools that I have looked at will teach me how to use UnrealEd3

KC_21 · 03-31-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro

The experience of just building a game can be useful in and of itself. At the very least it can give you a creative outlet, but it's no substitute for continued education, obviously.

As far as drawing goes, I can actually be more helpful in this matter. I always recommend "Drawing on the Right side of the Brain". Here's the link to Amazon, but you can probably find it just about anywhere; http://www.amazon.com/New-Drawing-Ri..._bxgy_b_text_b

Very useful in that it teaches you how to unlearn bad drawing habits that develop through left-brain oriented education... it doesn't teach you to draw so much as it teaches you how to see. That sounds a little strange, but trust me; you'll be amazed at what you'll be able to do once you learn how to observe the world through an artist's eyes.

I have talked to someone from a university who runs a game design group and he recommended me this book as well as a game design book, I will surely pick them up!

KC_21 · 03-31-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsloper

1. If you want to.
2. Lots. http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson56.htm (scroll down past the Q&A to the many links at bottom)
3. "Beneficial" is relative and subjective, depending on you and what your goals are. What are your criteria?
4. Game Maker is not a game DESIGN program. Game design is different from game creation.
5. Take art classes. Practice, practice, practice.

Thanks for the information!, well I want to get into a university and get a degree in Interactive Arts + Technology and hopefully make it a dual degree with programming or get into a college/game design school and get a degree/diploma and with my education I will be able to land a job and build my way up to game designer.

Well, would Game Maker be a good place for me to start with? and what are considered game design program? Unreal Editor?

EvilLlama · 03-31-2010, 03:47 PM

Instead of worrying about how many tools you can master, worry about the kind of game you want to make, then do the research/ask around for suggestions on the best tools to create that type of game, then master the tools as you go along. You'll be more productive that way, a list of completed games with links to playable versions is a lot more impressive than a list of software programs.

tsloper · 03-31-2010, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_21

1. would Game Maker be a good place for me to start with?
2. and what are considered game design program? Unreal Editor?

1. Sure, why not. Then as soon as you've sucked that one dry, move on up to the next thing.
2. Microsoft Word is the most common tool for writing game designs.
http://www.igda.org/games-game-july-2006
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson14.htm
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson28.htm
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson7.htm
http://archives.igda.org/breakingin/career_paths.htm

ddelisle · 04-10-2010, 05:25 PM

"WarioWare DIY" for the DS!

Or if you'd like to dust off the PSone you can play "RPG Maker".

There was a platform from Microsoft that allowed people to develop games, but it got discontinued a year or two ago, because of low adoption. I can't remember the name...anyone know what I am talking about?