   Game Project
  Hmm, well, wasn't sure quite where on the fourms to put this, so I put it in here.Okay, I've programmed before, but always given up on projects etc. I've taken a few years break, now that I'm older (now 15, understand more math, logic, etc) and decided to strat a new project, to hopfully set me back into programming. Plan: Make a Warcraft, Starcraft, Age of Empires, etc type game at a very simple level.Goal for future: To have a simple map editor, and ability to create new units to insert into my program that can act as ... well, a unit, moveable, commandable. Online play at its simplist is a thought I dare say I'd like to add at the end of this project. I'm posting this because, really, I'm not sure where to start. I'm using DirectX for the graphics, I know little and almost nothing about the programming side of DirectX, and intend for this to also be a learning experience on my part. I'm using C++ as the language, I know the basics of C++, and I believe, I know near enough, but I'm uncertain to what I will need to know for this project. I dont have VC++, sadly, all I have access to at the moment is Dev-C++. I'm using a Windows XP(Home :[ ) for this project. I know, huge companys take time to make the games I listed above, that's why I only want to make something simple. My plans:With my limited knowledge, I've decided that I will need something kind of like this: A area for rendering, with the camra or viewpoint above a flat surface (well, 3D... but flat like land).  I will need to move the camra where ever the user wants, moveing around the preloaded map area. Units and such will have seperate functions and such to move them from place to place. Feedback, suggestions, pointers, tips, anything is welcome, I need all the help.. and luck.. I can get. Thank you. --RHCRedHatCore   
  I suggest starting at the basics. Learning Direct3D and it's structure. Also choose a language that best suites you. Take a look at the Forum FAQ.Once you have the basics down and you feel comfortable with it, then you can start looking at some sort of game design. It's important that you understand your limits and the limits of technology well before you start any project.I hope this helps.Take care.   ;  I think I'm gonna stick with DirectX and C++, but that you for the link. Out of any languages, I'm strongest in C/C++.   ;  Design is the most important phase, so don't take it lightly.  Draw out some sketches (if you are not completely artistically challenged like myself), write down some scenarios, write down exactly what you want to support, and then finally just sit back and think about it for several weeks and expand on it.  Spend a few months designing (and possibly working tutorials or whatever to get you into the right mode).Things to consider:What program will I use to draw my models, and what files does it export to?Do I support animations and with what files?How big should the terrain be?How do I want my camera to act (spring?)?Do I want a round robin game or a time based game?How will my interworkings communicate with each other?  Will one object call another object directly or will I set global values that are checked each frame, or something else?How will I plant the world objects on the terrain?  Do I use one editor or two?How will I handle collision detection?These are just a few to get you started, and as you start thinking about it (start thinking about games you've played), you'll come up with many more.  Of course, you'll want to keep the answers simple for a simple project, but thinking through it will help you design the code such that it won't have to be rewritten a million times.Good luck,Chris   