Help me get started. =)

Greetings slimes. =)
Before I created this thread, I tried looking for a sticky(I really did) on how to get started.. I couldn't find anything..

Well, I'm new here.. And, yeah, I really have no idea on how to get started..

I just got to college(16y.o, not from the US) and I'm taking Computer Science. I'm planning to specialize in Multimedia and Game Development(there are other specializations too) but I haven't gotten to that part yet. Well why am I here then, you ask? I wanted to take initiative; I figured this might be a good place to start since I have yet to learn game programming using a programming language itself, I might as well try this place out.

So, slimes, what do I have to do to begin?

Cheers. =)

Most people in the Slime Salad community don't make games using programming languages, but that doesn't mean there aren't any programmers in the community that can help.

It really depends on what platform you want to code for. It might be of interest to code for XNL or for the iPhone since they allow business for independent developers and may be "most relevant", so to speak.

I myself do not use a programming language to make games, but there are lots of resources on the internet that can help.

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<TheGiz> oh hai doggy, oh no that's the straw that broke tjhe came baclsb

What sort of games are you interested in making? Do you have any experience programming already? Are you more interested in making games casually now or looking toward building your resume, so to speak? Are you interested in focusing on a specific aspect of game design (art, music, general code, etc) or do you just want to do a bit of everything right now?

Also, do make sure you have a back-up plan. :) A lot of people start studying CS and end up dropping out (I think it's 80% in my state) for one reason or another. Well, you're 16. You have plenty of time. Anyway, I guess my point is, wait until you've actually done some game development to decide if that's really what you want to do. It's a bit different than playing games.

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My website, the home of Motrya:
http://www.jshgaming.com

As I've stated, I've never really gotten to the game programming part yet. I've never tried any programming language to make my games, nor do I want to right now. I've figured it would be best to start with a program suited for game creation. What do you guys suggest? What do you think I need?

FYI, by the way, I'm not doing it for "business" purposes as of now, I just want to try it out, see how it works. It's been a dream for me ever since I was a kid(paper games, blueprints, idea books, the works). I'm really interested in role-playing games and I have my fair share of ideas on paper, but sadly, I've never got any of them to work. Here's hoping I get to rectify that. =)



Thanks for the heads up, but you don't have to worry about me. I've heard of this tale(that's why I'm here right now =)) so I want to try it first before making my decisions and finalizing my career.

Well if you are interested in RPGs, there are many different RPG construction engines that can take care of some of the more annoying aspects of coding one. Or you can try programming one from scratch, but I highly recommend starting with an engine so you have at least some idea of what needs to be taken in to account.

The one most people on this board are familiar with is the OHRRPGCE, which in my opinion is probably the easiest to use. Be aware that it is intended for making 2D RPGs in the style of SNES games. The OHR also has a fairly flexible programming language built in, HamsterSpeak, which I learned the basis of all my current skills from. (Learning just about any language will help you learn to program games)

There is also RPG Maker (I forget which version it is on) and some crazy people use Game Maker.

I'm not an expert on pure programming RPGs, but I imagine that learning Python would be a great start in that respect. Mogri or someone else could probably steer you better there.

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My website, the home of Motrya:
http://www.jshgaming.com

Another nice thing about using the OHRRPGCE is that the engine programmers visit these boards and maintain a mailing list, and are generally helpful with answering questions. You can probably learn a lot about the programming behind the engine if you're curious.

As far as 'getting started', if you do use the OHR, the first thing to do is to follow JSH's link and make your way to the download page and grab the main installer package. The program used to make RPGs is called "custom.exe", and the program used to play them is called "game.exe". Poke around in custom with the How To (linked from JSH's link) open and see what you think, and feel free to ask us any questions!

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I am Srime

I've tried the link, and I've successfully download and installed the stable version.( Or should I use the nightly version?)

However, whenever I try to run custom.exe or game.exe, this error

OHRRPGCE xocolatl+2 20090403.2631 gfx_fb/music_sdl FB0.20.0 Win32

keeps showing up. Am I doing something wrong?

EDIT: I've also tried the nightly version and this is what came up:

OHRRPGCE wip 20091005.2926 gfx_fb/music_sdl FB0.20.0 Win32

Any ideas, guys?

That is the version information. Does the message you are seeing look like this?:



If so, that is the version screen, which is what you get if you run custom.exe -v

If your error message looks different than that, can you try to take a screenshot?

Also, a few questions:

* What version of Windows are you using?
* Did you download the installer or the zip file?

custom.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience.



Windows XP Professional ( On a desktop btw, have yet to get my laptop :( )



I downloaded the installer of both the stable and nightly version and when I try to run the game.exe or custom.exe, the custom.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience. shows up and a log that shows

OHRRPGCE xocolatl+2 20090403.2631 gfx_fb/music_sdl FB0.20.0 Win32

OHRRPGCE wip 20091005.2926 gfx_fb/music_sdl FB0.20.0 Win32

for their respective versions are created.

Anyone got anything?

Also, I have to sleep for now. It's like 1AM here and I have class tomorrow at eight. Will check back when I wake up. Thanks~

Curious. Do you ever have problems running other games?

Are they any buttons on the error message? Anything like "Send Error Report"

Although Microsoft won't be interested in your error report, there is a way to get a copy of the error report that you can copy and paste and send to me.

Yep, it's like a normal error report when an application crashes.



I would be glad to. How do I do it?

Thanks for the assistance, James.

You need to look for a blue link that says something like "What data does this error report contain?" or "To see what data this error report contains click here". I think it might only shows up after you click "Send Error Report", but I am not sure (I don't have a Windows computer handy)

If you can't find it anywhere, you might have to enable it in the System Control panel. this screenshot shows where: http://www.syschat.com/images/articles/disableerror_report.jpg

Then you can copy-and-paste the error details to me. Probably best to either do it in a private message or via e-mail to Bob AT HamsterRepublic DOT com since it will be awfully long to post in this thread.

I'll look into it once I get home.

EDIT: I've figured out what caused the engine to crash.

Apparently, it's the MMORPG (CABAL Online) my brother always leaves on for vending and stuff. Shutting it off isn't an option since we share this desktop computer. And it's on 24/7.

Any ideas on how to bypass this?

EDIT: I realize it's more of "discuss it with your brother" situation, and I'm looking for something that requires more work than just talking with him.

And I realize I'm asking for something rather unnecessary, but I'm just taking my chances here if somebody else has encountered the same problem I have(not the brother problem of course, but applications that prevent OHRRPGCE from running) and has found a bypass for it.

Hoping for ideas. Thanks~

EDIT: Anybody?

Just wanted to let you know that I've never had a problem getting custom to open regardless of other things going on on my computer, but I don't use my computer for much. My little brother plays one of those online RPG things, and he also has never had trouble opening the OHR.

I'm not sure we can help you on that one, man. Sorry.

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I am Srime

I don't think it's a bug either, so I can't go on reporting at the OHRRPGCE site.

I guess my project will have to be delayed for a week until I stay at my mom's house for the vacation.

I'll be back by then, slimes. But if anybody has any sort of bypass, then by all means, please let me know.

Thanks~