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I am at uni doing computer science and interested in game programming.
i just have a few questions . . .
are most games programmed in C++?
how long will it take to learn i mean to get good enough to do a game like dig dug (a classic man)?
(p.s I found java easyish and not much of a challenge, and was sick of ready made methods, and want to make interesting software or games!)

next question - how to turn c++ code into code that an xbox/gamecube can run?

last question - about graphics and animation - I know like games like sonic 3d you have to design a charater and use programming move it. will I need to learn anything special to do that or will I come across it when learning C++.

any help/advise will be much Appreciated.
thanx

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by amura97

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Building on 's helpful distinction between language skills and graphics work, here is a focused, practical plan that fills gaps in the thread and turns the questions into concrete next steps.

Start small and iterate. A Dig Dug clone teaches the essentials: a game loop, input, tile maps, sprite animation, collision, simple enemy AI (state machine), scoring and level design. Break the project into short milestones (setup, movement, rendering, enemies, UI, polish). For someone already comfortable with Java and studying part-time, a minimal playable version is often achievable in a few weeks of steady work; a polished version takes longer. Key pitfalls to avoid: trying to build a full engine up front, skipping testing with placeholder art, and not separating game logic from rendering.

About consoles: source C++ code does not automatically run on Xbox or GameCube. Console deployment requires manufacturer toolchains, devkits and licensing; binaries must be built and signed with platform-specific tools. A practical path is prototype on PC using cross-platform libraries, then consider porting later via an engine or a licensed studio workflow. For learning, targeting PC avoids the barrier of console contracts while teaching the same core problems.

Graphics and animation basics to learn next: for 2D—sprite sheets, frame timing, tile-based maps, and collision boxes; for 3D—meshes, rigs, skinning and animation blending plus transform math. Also learn simple asset pipelines (placeholders first, then swap in final art). Troubleshooting tips: draw debug outlines for collisions, log delta times, use a fixed timestep for physics, and keep builds small so iteration is fast.

A minimal game loop (conceptual) to keep in mind:

bool running = true;
while (running) {
  handleInput();    // keyboard/gamepad events
  update(dt);       // movement, AI, collision with fixed dt
  render();         // draw tiles and sprites
  presentFrame();   // buffer swap / v-sync
}

Focus on finishing a small playable prototype; the rest follows from iteration and steady practice.

Member Avatar for amura97

I am at uni doing computer science and interested in game programming.
i just have a few questions . . .
are most games programmed in C++?
how long will it take to learn i mean to get good enough to do a game like dig dug (a classic man)?
(p.s I found java easyish and not much of a challenge, and was sick of ready made methods, and want to make interesting software or games!)

next question - how to turn c++ code into code that an xbox/gamecube can run?

last question - about graphics and animation - I know like games like sonic 3d you have to design a charater and use programming move it. will I need to learn anything special to do that or will I come across it when learning C++.

any help/advise will be much Appreciated.
thanx

Hi,
It seems that C++ is indeed a very popular choice for game programming indeed. That's my opinion just by looking at the huge number of resources (books, online tutorials) that are written for C++. If you know Java it won't take you long to figure out C++.

About your question on graphics, you must know that graphics are quite separate from general C++. Basically, when you write graphics, you call functions to draw stuff on the screen (e.g. triangles etc...). These functions simply hook up your code to your graphics card.

Therefore, before you use any graphics libraries, it is a good idea to excel at the language you are going to code in. I work with OpenGL in C++. OpenGL is actually quite easy to learn and use - though bear in mind that a thorough knowledge of vector algebra is recommended for 3D graphics . There are of course many different other graphics libraries such as Microsoft's DirectX, the Graphical Device Interface (GDI) for Win32 API, Allegro, Ogre3D etc...

So when you are going to program your game, you will need to create code that will simulate the behaviour of your characters - that's pure C++. Then you will create the graphical environment of your game - that's using the graphical libraries and some more C++. Anyway, if you are interested look up "games programming" online. gamev.net is a very good site, and nehe.gamedev.net is an excellent site for OpenGL. Note that not only programming and graphics are necessary to make an interesting game, at some point you must also delve deep into the world of Artificial Intelligence (get your mathematics ready - especially your probabilities and graph theory)...

oh, about the XBox, Playstation thing, I don't know...

Hope that helped!

commented: Very informative, nicely explained +1
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