   How to start?
  Hi,So I know C++ and OpenGL, but I still really have no idea how to start coding up a game.  How do you structure the code?  Where do you start filling in the structure?  It seems immensely daunting.  Basically, I feel like I have to ability to implement each individual part, but I don't know where to begin or how to put it all together.  How do you guys do it?   
  I made mods for Half-Life for years, until I knew how all of it's pieces worked intimately. Then when I started making my own games, I could use this knowledge as a guideline ;)   ;  It's very important to start off making simple games (such as tic-tac-toe, pong, tetris, etc).I would recommend to take a look at these pages:How do I make games? A Path to Game DevelopmentStarting out on Game Programming;  First create a game plan.  Outline what kind of game you want to make with all the pieces of it on paper.Next break each piece down into sections.  Things like - 3D models, sound, physics, math, etcNow break each of your game elements down bit by bit so that you can start forming classes and structures that you will need in your game.Then start grouping everything into a managable fashion, who needs access to what data during the game.  Who can collide with what... etcAfter spending many hours on planning and writing everything down, now you can begin coding.Planning is key to success.   ;Quote:Original post by mmakrzemFirst create a game plan.  Outline what kind of game you want to make with all the pieces of it on paper.Next break each piece down into sections.  Things like - 3D models, sound, physics, math, etcNow break each of your game elements down bit by bit so that you can start forming classes and structures that you will need in your game.Then start grouping everything into a managable fashion, who needs access to what data during the game.  Who can collide with what... etcAfter spending many hours on planning and writing everything down, now you can begin coding.Planning is key to success.This is great method on developing games.  I always refer to my game design documents as my blue print to success.  It's like your GPS when you're out in the woods, you're bound to get lost if you don't have any direction.  Un planned games can result in sloppy code and just out right failure, unless we're talking about simple games.;  I assume there are some components/designs common to all successful game engines, right?  Is there someone I can go to learn about that so I'm not reinventing the wheel?   ;  As long as you're willing to put in the time, learn the required skills, being fully motivated to your project, and have some direction in how to program it, you will be set to complete anything you want.  The best way to learn how to design anything is to gain that knowledge from experience.  Once you start making small games you will get a general idea what comes into making your projects and how to better plan your next one.  Experience should never be over looked in game development.  There are several things I didn't even do when starting my projects in the past, which I do now simply because it's more efficient.   