Gamers? Programmers? Help!

Published on September 28, 2005 By Tova7 In Game Developers

Ever since my 9 year old son bought Halo for his computer he won't stop nagging me about how to write computer games. (Like I know, I'm lucky to get on the net using windows!)

So since he won't shut up about it I was wondering if someone could tell me what "language" (I don't even know if that is the correct term) games are written in.......is there something he can do now? Learn now? Is there a book or something like that I could get to help teach him? A place you have to start to learn to write games....or whatever.

I don't know if he can learn this stuff or not, however, I want to supply him with the opportunity, if he learns just enough to appreciate the complexity of the games he plays, it will be money well spent.

Thanks.

Comments (Page 1)

Zoomba

on Sep 28, 2005

Most games are written in C or C++ nowadays. Not sure about resources for kids to learn programming as when I was little we used LOGO on an Apple IIe or HyperCard on my old Mac. I would do a google search for programming books for kids, see what that comes up with.

Here's a good site to look at:
http://www.kidsdomain.com/down/program.html

Also, take him through the HowStuffWorks site on how computers and the internet work. It's all related and it never hurts to know.

Finally, if he really gets into programming and computers, look into getting him a low-price PC to do his stuff on (but keep it in a family-accessable room), as he'll probably blow up the machine from time to time experimenting with this that or the other thing and you probably don't want to lose your main machine to that.

Zoomba

on Sep 28, 2005

Oh, off that kidsdomain page... I found this link for a Windows version of the old LOGO program
http://www.softronix.com/logo.html - MSWLogo

I highly recommend LOGO as a starter since it gets kids thinking in a procedural way.

Chaos Manager

on Sep 28, 2005

The first step? Get him programming. For a younger kid, LOGO works well. Then try him on something simple, like Visual Basic. Then ... try C, C++, and/or C#.

As Zoomba said, most (vast majority) games today are written in C/C++. There are several books (Amazon.com can help or various brick-and-mortar stores) that deal specifically with game programming. I know I've seen a bunch over the years. Can't remember a single title, though. Some are written towards a beginner level, some are a little more advanced, and then some others assume that you've been programming in their language of choice for years. So, be careful which one you pick up.

You'd be surprised how most young kids take to it, though.

Finally, if he really gets into programming and computers, look into getting him a low-price PC to do his stuff on (but keep it in a family-accessable room), as he'll probably blow up the machine from time to time experimenting with this that or the other thing and you probably don't want to lose your main machine to that.
--Zoomba

I'll second that one. I've lost track of the number of times I blew up my dad's computer while growing up.

I learned how to reload it from scratch REALLY well.

Tova7

on Sep 28, 2005

Thank you so much!! I will go to the site and take all your advice....he will be so excited when I tell him.

He already has a computer in his room with highspeed hookup. But he is only allowed on two sites....

Do you think an emachines with 340 processor, 100 gb and 512 ram is good enough or do we need to upgrade? I am computer retarded so layman's terms please! haha

Zoomba

on Sep 28, 2005

That machine has more than enough horsepower to handle even the most complex programming task he'll be able to throw at it for quite a while. Maybe more RAM would help, but it's not necessary right now.

Tova7

on Sep 28, 2005

Ok great! I bought that computer at the bidding of the salesman when my son told him he wanted a computer that could play RollerCoaster Tycoon 2. Of course bought while hubby was out of town. My husband knows more about computers than I do but barely...hehe

Thanks again...the web site is awesome and a great starting off point!

Chaos Manager

on Sep 30, 2005

That computer is definitely more than enough. My work computers (until the last 2 or 3 months) have been considerably slower/less powerful than that. And that's my official development computer.

Fortunately, my home computer is a lot more powerful.

Good luck with him! It's an addiction that's hard to break.

bakerstreet

on Oct 02, 2005

If I could make a suggestion, I would direct your kid toward modding first. Find a game that allows players to make levels and let him start there. A lot of people started off building mods for games and then expanded their expertise. My little girl loves Morrowind and we work on content together.

It gives you a good idea about how things work. Sometimes starting with a DOS window making number guessing games can put kids off programming. When you start at the other end they see results faster, and it gives them some respect for the monumental task a game really is. Once they have the patience to create content for an existing game, they might be better suited to start learning programming.

Just a suggestion. The others are great, too.

TARSIER

on Oct 02, 2005

As a gamer, and a wannabe programmer, I always thought writing scripts/macros for games for fun. I also suggest Visual Basic. However, a word of caution. Comp. games can become a large part of a kids life, as it was mine until a couple months ago due to some problems, make sure your child understands the importance of a social life/regular physical activity as to balance it out.

Tova7

on Oct 06, 2005

Just seeing these replies.

If I could make a suggestion, I would direct your kid toward modding first. Find a game that allows players to make levels and let him start there.

Anyplace I could pick Morrowind up?

However, a word of caution. Comp. games can become a large part of a kids life, as it was mine until a couple months ago due to some problems, make sure your child understands the importance of a social life/regular physical activity as to balance it out

We are already seeing this. We've limited his computer time on school days to two hours total. On weekends he gets three hours a day. But since he started with the computer he's gained 10 pounds!! Of course he is a growing boy but now he's showing some fat. He is playing basketball though and swimming so I can't be too hard on him.

His computer is new but it won't shut down, we have to unplug it. Even when we hit the power button...nothing. Weird....and it is REALLY loud, could that be a fan or something? Especially when it first starts, but its a high squeal sound.

Any suggestion on possible problems?

Thanks

Chaos Manager

on Oct 07, 2005

Won't shut down? Check the power setting in Windows and make sure it's set to Power switch shuts down and not hibernates. Also, try Start -> Shutdown -> Turn off computer and let us know where it hangs (stops).

As for the fan ... if it's a new computer, it shouldn't have a problem with the fan. A high squeal usually signifies a bearing out of whack. If it's inside the computer (but not near the power supply), it's the processor or video fan. Either can be detrimental if left to run. A supplemental case fan might be there, as well. That won't cause as many problems, but it can still be dangerous for the computer.

Where abouts (on the case) does the squeal come from?

Texas Wahine

on Oct 08, 2005

Anyplace I could pick Morrowind up?

Morrowind's an Xbox game. Easy to find.

bakerstreet

on Oct 08, 2005

"Morrowind's an Xbox game. Easy to find."

If you want to build mods for it, though, you need to use the PC version. You can get it about anywhere. The sequel is due out sometime in the next few months, you might wanna wait for it. They have Sean Bean and Patrick Stewart doing voices this time. The screenshots are darned impressive.

Tova7

on Oct 09, 2005

Thanks for the info.

Where abouts (on the case) does the squeal come from?

His computer seems to squeal whenever the hard drive is seeking...does that make sense? If it is just sitting there you can hear it run, but if you use it then it sounds like a car gunning the engine while it is seeking and then when it stops seeking it winds down.

We go to the start menu to turn off the computer, hit shut down, but it doesn't do a thing just stays on. The screen doesn't dim or anything, even when we hit the power on button (the actual one you push to start the computer) it doesn't shut off. We have to unplug the computer to get it off.

Weird huh?

Texas Wahine

on Oct 09, 2005

If you want to build mods for it, though, you need to use the PC version

Nick Burns, the company computer guy says, "Mooooooove!"

Hehe.

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