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Geek Culture / Game Development on Macs?

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Omega gamer 89
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Posted: 22nd Sep 2009 05:09
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Did you read the whole thing? It does list my skills and proficiencies.

I have a devious mind.
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Yodaman Jer
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Posted: 10th Oct 2009 21:08 Edited at: 11th Oct 2009 01:39
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*bump*

Sorry for bumping this, I just don't want to start a whole new thread.

I've been looking at development sources for Apple, and Xcode looks awesome. It's bundled with Mac OS X 10.6 by default, but not installed initially (you have to install it separately). All I can say is that it makes me excited since it supports a ton of languages, like C++, Python and about fifteen others!

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2d/Xcode_3.2_project_window.png

I rather like the interface too! I'm excited about this, I think getting a Mac will help me to focus on learning C++. I actually understand the code used in the screenshot, but I am not sure what language it is in.

-Yodaman Jer.

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Jeku
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Posted: 11th Oct 2009 00:50
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That's Objective-C, perhaps the nastiest C-scripted language I've had the pleasure (?) using.


Senior Web Developer - Nokia
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Yodaman Jer
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Posted: 11th Oct 2009 01:38
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Thanks for identifying it!

Yeah, when I learn C I'm going directly for C/C++/C#. I want to learn ASAP, before my exposure to BASIC fully kicks in. I have a friend who spent years studying BASIC and wanted to migrate to C++, but couldn't "unlearn" all of the BASIC and thus couldn't fully grasp C++. Is that possible?

-Yodaman Jer.

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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 11th Oct 2009 01:56
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It's difficult. Tell him to learn C first, working with raw memory and pointers should flush out the n00b in him. It took me two years to unlearn BASIC.

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Yodaman Jer
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Posted: 11th Oct 2009 04:12
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Quote: "Tell him to learn C first, working with raw memory and pointers should flush out the n00b in him."


Then I shall do the same, and perhaps stop coding in DB for the time being. I'll start studying C and "c" where I get. See what I did there? Sorry, just couldn't resist.

-Yodaman Jer.

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Jeku
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Posted: 11th Oct 2009 06:03
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I would only look at C if you're looking to get into being a software engineer at a game company, but nowadays most companies are using C++ for games. If it's just a hobby thing, I'd go for an easier language like C# or DBP. Why stress so much when most of us here probably aren't going to be taxing the language we're using?


Senior Web Developer - Nokia
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Yodaman Jer
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Posted: 11th Oct 2009 06:13
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Very good point Jeku.

Honestly, I'm not really sure what I want to do with my programming knowledge. I am interested in making games, but I'm not sure if I'd like to be a full-time game programmer for another company. For now, programming really is only a hobby thing for me, but I would like to make at least one game worthy of selling in my life. And I also would like to learn C++, if not just for saying that I could program in it if need be. But I'll probably just learn C# (I think XCode supports it). I have a friend who has a full-time job programming in C# (and a part-time job as a belly-dancer...), so I'll ask him for advice on the matter.

Thanks!

-Yodaman Jer.

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Jeku
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Posted: 11th Oct 2009 06:26
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If you're interested in learning C++ as a hobby, there's probably no real point in learning plain old C first. This is of course my own opinion and there's probably many arguments to go both ways, but C++ is fully object-oriented, along with C#, so you might pick up a lot of bad habits learning C just as much as you would learning DBP.

I'm fairly confident XCode doesn't support C# as C# is an MS invention, but I believe there's some 3rd party IDEs on Linux (Mono or something like that) that support a version of C#.

If you're out to just have fun and not get caught up on complexity, I'd suggest sticking with DBP or learning C#. If you're going to write a full game in plain old C then be prepared for a sloooow ride


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BiggAdd
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Posted: 11th Oct 2009 06:32 Edited at: 11th Oct 2009 06:38
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I'm not sure about everyone else, but I would suggest Java as a good starting point. If you go on to do Computer Science (I'm not sure about America) but in Britain, most Computer Science courses start off with Java, then lead to C++.

Considering also C# is similar to Java, you will fall right into C in no time ( Learning Java first ).

Like Phaelax, I would recommend NetBeans to create projects. However, I would recommend DrJava if your starting out, as NetBeans creates a Billion files all at once, and can sometimes be a little overwhelming to begin with.

As DrJava is a simple text-editor with a Java compiler built in, it can make the testing stage a whole lot quicker.

http://drjava.org/

There is a good set of introductory video tutorials for Java here:
http://www.javavideotutes.com/index/lessons/

Also considering Java is cross platform (Meaning you don't have to perform any special trickery to display things on Mac, Windows and Linux etc). It will make your Mac -> PC working environment a lot easier.



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Yodaman Jer
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Posted: 11th Oct 2009 06:59 Edited at: 11th Oct 2009 07:00
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Quote: "If you're going to write a full game in plain old C then be prepared for a sloooow ride "


Again, very good, true point!

You are right about C# not being directly supported on Mac OS X; it's only supported through third-party plug-ins or something.

Hmm, in light of recent posts and advice, it kind of seems worth it to stick to Windows for game programming. However, I will check out Java (which XCode supports directly) and see where I go from there. If I end up not liking programming on Mac OS X, I'll dual-boot with Windows 7 and program with Dark GDK. I'd do that now if my computer could install it properly and had sufficient hard drive space (down to 2.65GB's..yeah...).

Thanks for your advice guys! You're all awesome.

-Yodaman Jer.

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BiggAdd
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Posted: 11th Oct 2009 18:15
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I have to give you warning about Windows 7 on a MacBook Pro. It absorbs battery power.

You will be lucky to squeeze out 4 hours on Windows 7, using Mac OSX you will get around 7 - 8 hours.

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Yodaman Jer
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Posted: 11th Oct 2009 20:23 Edited at: 11th Oct 2009 20:28
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Quote: "I have to give you warning about Windows 7 on a MacBook Pro. It absorbs battery power.

You will be lucky to squeeze out 4 hours on Windows 7, using Mac OSX you will get around 7 - 8 hours."


Yeah, I read that in a blog post somewhere. I'm not too worried about it honestly, since half the time I'll be using laptop it will be plugged in. If I ever need to tote it around I'll use Mac OS X (that won't be a problem ).

I read that Windows 7 appears to suck up the power of the MacBook's battery faster because its drivers use more power or something like that. Does that sound likely?

Edited for grammatical purposes.

-Yodaman Jer.

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greenlig
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Posted: 12th Oct 2009 01:03
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For a good Java environment, give Processing a try. It's very easy to get started with, and there are loads of tutorials out there. You will be learning OOP in no time

Also, Unity is available on the Mac, and that is a great tool for making games. You can code in Javascript and C# in Unity as well.

Regards,
Greenlig

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Yodaman Jer
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Posted: 12th Oct 2009 01:34
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Thanks greenlig, that will prove useful in the future.

By the way, has anybody ever programmed games on a bootcamp partition of Windows on a Mac? If so, can you tell me if Dark GDK will work okay?

Thanks to all who have helped me so far!

-Yodaman Jer.

Quote: "Having kids is hereditary. If your parents didn't have any, you won't have any either."
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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 12th Oct 2009 01:44 Edited at: 12th Oct 2009 01:45
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Quote: "If so, can you tell me if Dark GDK will work okay?"


It will not know the difference. We Boot Camp at college to use the Unreal Editor and it works fine although the game takes ~10 minutes to start for some reason. I've got Code::Blocks in a hidden folder and I often make little additions to my game engine during break and lunch.

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Yodaman Jer
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Posted: 12th Oct 2009 01:47
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Quote: "It will not know the difference. "


I didn't think so, I just wanted to make sure. Last thing I want to do is completely forsake making PC games.

-Yodaman Jer.

Quote: "Having kids is hereditary. If your parents didn't have any, you won't have any either."
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Yodaman Jer
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Posted: 12th Oct 2009 08:05
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Okay, I have been putting a lot of thought into this all day and have finally reached a conclusion.

I think I will just stick with game making as a hobby and not pursue a career for it. I'd much rather get a career in video editing as was mentioned earlier in this thread. So, as a result of this decision I believe learning C++ would be rather futile. Right now I want to focus on pursuing video editing as my main career choice.

-Yodaman Jer.

Quote: "Having kids is hereditary. If your parents didn't have any, you won't have any either."
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David Gervais
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Location: Montreal, Canada
Posted: 12th Oct 2009 16:10
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A 'Resume' is not a biography of your work history, it is a tailor made fact sheet of 'relevant' information aimed at letting the prospective employer know the 'relevant' skills you have acquired that can be applied to the current job position you are applying for.

Working at Wendy's or any fast food joint is not a bad thing, but if by chance you worked your way up the chain and got to something like an assistant manager, or 'shift manager' that might be relevant information.

The trick is to 'Spin' your work history to your advantage. Accent the 'positive', that's the phrase you should keep in mind.

Anyways, just wanted to make this post I'll go back to lurking now.

Cheers!

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Omega gamer 89
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Posted: 12th Oct 2009 19:43 Edited at: 12th Oct 2009 19:53
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Quote: "A 'Resume' is not a biography of your work history, it is a tailor made fact sheet of 'relevant' information aimed at letting the prospective employer know the 'relevant' skills you have acquired that can be applied to the current job position you are applying for."

I'm really starting to get the feeling you didn't even read it.
It DOES list my relevant jobs skills. To quote a few things from my resume:
Quote: "Worked extensively with professional-grade video, sound, and lighting equipment. Experienced in latest video and 3D design techniques."

Quote: "Related Coursework:
Audio/Video Editing, 3-D Modeling and Rendering, 3-Dimensional Animation, Audio Production, Motion Graphics, Advanced Editing, Videography
Computer Knowledge:
Adobe: After Effects, Audition, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Flash, Illustrator, InDesign,
Photoshop, Premiere
Autodesk: 3D Studio Max
Microsoft: Word, PowerPoint"

A resume shouldn't JUST be skills, proficiencies and "relevant" jobs. What if you've never had a job that was relevant to your field? It would be much, MUCH better to list what jobs you HAVE held, rather than making it appear you've never had a job.
I agree that making sandwiches isn't going to impress a prospective employer or make my video work look any better, but it WILL let the employer know that I have held down a job, know how to follow instructions, and have experience in working, even if it is just fast food.

I have a devious mind.
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Jeku
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Posted: 12th Oct 2009 20:54
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You're right, if Wendy's is your ONLY job experience, then you probably have to put it in. But if you have 1 or 2 other experiences from vaguely relevant video careers, then leave Wendy's out. I too worked at Wendy's and have long since left it out of my resume.


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Omega gamer 89
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Posted: 12th Oct 2009 21:13
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Exactly. I wasn't saying that any job you've ever had should always be left in a resume, but I've worked at the Pittsburgh Zoo, and, more recently, Wendys. Thats all. Once I get a real job relevant to my field, I'll get rid of wendys and the zoo on my resume.
On a related note, I GRADUATE TODAY! W000000T!!! Graduation is at six at soldier's and sailor's hall. CAN'T WAIT!!!

I have a devious mind.
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Yodaman Jer
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Posted: 12th Oct 2009 21:38
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Huzzah for graduation!



"Having kids is hereditary. If your parents didn't have any, you won't have any either."
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