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Ask HN: How to get into game development?
I'm interested in getting into game development. Many of you are established in this field and I would like to ask you:
What are the mainstream software development platforms for game development? What skills would increase my chances being hired as a game developer? Is there a particular programming language or development framework that I should focus on? What general advice would you give to someone who is considering entering the field? What are the best companies to work for as a game developer?
- angersock 13y agoDon't do it. It's a terrible place, filled with bad software, worse customers, and awful markets. EDIT: More helpfully, if you really insist on going down this sad, dark path, some things. For native development, learn C (with SDL) and then either C++ or Obj-C. Make some stupid and fun little games. Then learn OpenGL or DirectX and make stupid and fun little 3d games. Don't spend endless cycles writing libraries for the game you'll never make--just write some code. For web development, learn some Javascript and jQuery and make some dumb games in the browser. Then learn Three.js and make some dumb 3d games in the browser. Then, pickup a modern backend framework (node.js, rails, or laravel) and create a site with persistent score tracking and leaderboards. Rinse, repeat while adding more features. Most importantly, just make games. Use RPG Maker, use native code, use Unity, use whatever--just make games.
- frodopwns 13y agoHere is a free class on HTML 5 Game Development from Udacity: https://www.udacity.com/course/cs255 https://www.udacity.com/course/cs255 Start building a github repo with examples of things you have done...they don't have to be magic.
- gamg 13y agoWhat examples of really popular games are there that were written in HTML 5?
- benologist 13y agoStep 1: Pick a popular platform. Step 2: Make some games. If you can't think of a game or the games you want to make are too hard for now then learn by trying to re-make someone else's game. Step 3: If you find yourself saying you're making a framework or engine before you've made dozens of games punch yourself. You might like getting started with Unity3d: http://unity3d.com/ http://unity3d.com/ or Cocos2D http://www.cocos2d-iphone.org/ http://www.cocos2d-iphone.org/ and there's a lot of devs here: http://www.reddit.com/r/gamedev http://www.reddit.com/r/gamedev.
- gamg 13y agoThanks. Good links.