   Questions
  I'm almost 15 years old and I want to start creating games. My goal is to eventually create a small MMORPG. I want it to be an isometric game. No fancy 3D graphics, just a medieval, isometric game that I can add onto regularly, make a simple website for, and have my friends play it and invite lots of new people to try out my game!However, I realize that I must start small. I cannot jump into such a large project. So bear that in mind. I'm not like all the 12 year old kids asking "I want to make a game like RuneScape right now how do I do it". I realize the complications and challenges that lie ahead of me, and that I must learn a programming language efficiently before I can start on big games.First, I will tell you how I got this idea for a game. The creator of RuneScape, Andrew Gower. In 1998 and 1999 he was working on a game called "DeviousMUD", all by himself. This is what it looked like:I want my game to look similar to this. This game was the prototype to RuneScape Classic.So, Andrew Gower is my biggest influence probably. However I feel nervous about beginning to write games. I want to use the Java programming language. However, Andrew Gower is a genius or something. He's really good at math and physics and stuff. He had a CV on his old website back in '99 and he had A's in all Physics and Math and Chemistry and stuff. I'm not all that great at Mathematics at all. Do I need to be as good as he was at math to eventually create my dream game? Also, is it hard to program? It seems so complicated, but I figured that once I start from the ground up and keep programming it'll seem easier. I dunno.So can someone help me out here?   
Quote:Do I need to be as good as he was at math to eventually create my dream game? Also, is it hard to program? It seems so complicated, but I figured that once I start from the ground up and keep programming it'll seem easier. I dunno.Question1:  Do I need to be as good as as he was at math:A programmer does not HAVE to be good at math, sure it helps, and the more you program, the more you might increase your math skills.Question2:  Is it hard to program?For some people it's easy.  For others it's dreadful.  But if you stick with it, someday you'll get good, and it will no longer be hard.  To me, programming is a combination of learning problem solving skills, learning syntax, and learning design.  With modern programming languages, and features like Intellisense, programming has never been easier.   ;  Start with the Forum FAQ.Once you've read it, understand it, and are ready to move to the next step, then ask your questions.Yes, programming is difficult.  Yes, mathematics is very important to game programming, but it doesn't require genius level intelligence, just a solid foundation in algebra, geometry, trig, and linear algebra.  You could also argue calculus, but the truth of the matter is calculus is used very little, except in the most advanced cases.Whether you are, or not like every other 12 year old has more to do with your ability to back up your claims and interest with actual development.  Until you've completed your small projects, and then completed the MMORPG you're interested in, you are, in fact, the same as all the 12 year olds wanting to make their own MMORPG.  The difference will only come with time, once you've demonstrated your motivation to complete what you start is as strong as your desire to create something.While I'm being a little rough with you, I do so only because I want you to understand the challenges ahead of you.  But, I do wish you the best, encourage you to continue to ask questions and challenge the stigma that is surrounding young developers.  Best of luck young Game Programmer.Cheers!   ;  That's very good advice JWalsh.  Couldn't have said it better myself.I would also like to add something.Quote:My goal is to eventually create a small MMORPGI, myself would rethink this situation.Do you want to create a small MMORPG?Or do you want to become a programmer, and program a small MMORPG?Maybe it seems like just a swap of words, but you have to keep in mind, programming is the mindset you're going for.  Unless you're going to start a team and be a manager,artist, musician or something.   ;  Hi,Like you said you should start out small. Probably the best thing to do is just not to think about any MMOs right now and just focus on learning a language. I can't say much about Java given that I have never used it, but I used Game Maker for years (4th grade was when I found it, I'm in 10th now) which got me to understand generally how game design and programming works at a very basic level. Then I jumped into C++ and it worked great.One thing is that if you're picking Java just because you want to make an online game directly into a web browser sometime in the future, that's not a very good reason to pick it.So what I'd say is just go ahead and start learning. Read some articles maybe on programming languages in general, on things like data types, classes, object-oriented programming, etc. I started out with C++ on www.cplusplus.com, I've heard people say it isn't the best but it sure taught me the basics quickly. I don't know of a site for Java like that but that's just because I haven't searched for one. I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to find. I started out just making command prompt programs to test things out like game loop, how to manage objects, etc (again this is for C++ I don't know how Java compares but it is probably similar). When it seemed that I knew enough to "move on" I chose OpenGL to learn and just found lots and lots of tutorials.Anyways good luck.   ;  Thanks for all the quick replies. I want to learn Java because for some reason it just interests me more than the others... I don't really know. I actually don't intend on putting the game in an applet and having it browser-based. I think I'm still deciding on Python or Java.   ;  If you're willing to try out C#, I can give you advice/help over PMs, messenger or e-mail.   ;  <OPINION>C# is a very powerful Java-like language (it's more powerful than Java, and has XNA, a DirectX wrapper which allows you to develop PC and Xbox360 games easily).BUT...I dont want to start a language war.  Please, use Java or C#, whichever you find to be more suitable for you.  But, please research both Java and C# before making a choice.I think you'll find the performance differences, and the level of support for game development in C#, already outweighs any reasons you might decide upon Java.</OPINION>Cheers!   