Game design & where and how i should learn it

[helpisontheway]

I really want to get in game design. There is one problem... I don't have a clue where to start. Can anyone direct me in the fastest way to learn how to design games in the java language.

[Eranga]

First learn the Java basis. Then think about your own game implementation. There is no specific area to deal with gaming.

Basically you've to learn things as follows.

1. Threads, thread pools
2. Keyboard input/output handling
3. Animations and graphics (need to think about hardware-accelerated)
4. Simulation of sounds, timers

[Eranga]

Search on the web and Amazon about Java gaming. You can find lots of related books.

[anunda]

I hope bumping this thread someone will respond, so I don’t have to start a new thread with the same theme.

I have Java experience not a beginner but not expert. Taken 3 college courses; basic, advanced and web design for Java (JSP Servlets)

I want to get my children interested in programming and video games seem the best way to do it. One of the best things about Java is the copy-ability of the classes. I have searched Google but all I find is Junk for people who don’t know anything about Java.

What is the best IDE to use for games, ie Netbeans, Eclipse. Is there a good website for open sourced Java games that could easily be modified? Any other helpful information?

Thank you

[JosAH]

An IDE doesn't have much to do with game design (nor implementation). My suggestion is to start easy: games such at tic-tac-toe or mancala (up to checkers or even chess) are easy to implement 'game wise' but all do give you something to chew on. It's up to your imagination if you want to implement arcade style games or adventure games.

kind regards,

Jos

[Fubarable]

A couple of random thoughts from a Java hobbiest who doesn't do game programming:

1) Yeah, I'd suggest starting your own new thread for questions like these. It is your question and both it and you are worthy of being in your own thread.
2) For what it's worth, I haven't see much hard-core game coders presence on this forum as compared with the fora that are dedictated to game programming. Though some of our more adventurous members have created and demonstrated a game or two which can be found by searching the forum.
3) I don't think the IDE matters here (unless there's been a lot of game coding done in SWT -- but I sort of doubt that).

Much luck.

[anunda]

Thanks for the quick response. I am going to play with flash it seems the simplest to learn and create.

[Fubarable]

Thanks for the quick response. I am going to play with flash it seems the simplest to learn and create.

Good luck with this! Then when they get better, you can buy them all Android phones and have them learn to code games for the Android OS (which integrates nicely with Java).

[[RaIdEn]]

Good luck with this! Then when they get better, you can buy them all Android phones and have them learn to code games for the Android OS (which integrates nicely with Java).

I heard they were issues..Yet its not as good as iphone..

[helpisontheway]

I heard they were issues..Yet its not as good as iphone..

really... I wanted to get a Nexus One to tamper with it and small java games.

I kinda am glad someone re-bumped this thread. I just finished Head First java.
If your still looking for a book, I'm starting Killer game programming in java. I'm not sure if it's any good though, but I'm giving it a try & it has good ratings(not sure if they're valid).

Also, I read a document called Learn Programming in 10 Years, an informative document. It says don't read but do. So if someone has a forums that is all about games, I would like to know it to get a more hands on approach .