This tutorial is part of Storm The Castle.com Check the site out for lots more interesting and fun stuff
- Get a Bachelors Degree in Game Programming Online!
- Two new lessons in the Milkshape tutorial on how to make 3d models
- Video walk thru of a game that shows good design: tutorial
- How to make money playing video games - the real way to do it
- Video Game Design home
- What software should you use? Get a job in the video game world Video Game SchoolsVideo Game Careers
- Video Game Programming How to and guide
- Designing video games on paper
- Tips for Creative Video Game Making
- Castlefiction.com
- Epic-Fantasy
- The Armory - Weapons pics and information for video game designers
- How to write a video game script - an article and guide
BOOKS
TUTORIALS
- Tutorial for beginners
- New Section: Medieval armor and weapons for video game designers
- FAQ for Beginners
- Reality Factory Tutorial
- Milkshape 3d Tutorial: Make 3d models for your game
- Love to make a video game? But don't even know where to start? I have a tutorial and overview here that will give you then basics of the software, tools, methods and books.
- How to manipulate Tiles and textures for a good look - This is very important. It is one of the most fundamental skills you need to learn if you want your game to look good
- Sharpen your powers of observation - The video game is a world. You should learn to observe the world you live in more acutely. It will make you a better video game designer.
- Writing a script - Some practical tips and knowledge on writing your first script. You should write a script so you can keep track of what happens in your game.
- Just starting with world building? Here are some useful tips and hints and adivce.
- Making models and characters - Some useful information about what modeling is and what software is used. There is free software available.
- Learn
how to program while you make games
Don't know much about programming but want to learn and at the same time make video games? DarkBASIC is perfect for you. It uses a customized version of BASIC. The software suite is all inclusive. Everything you need is right there including a great tutorial. More Info about DarkBASIC - Resources for video game making
My Websites
The Telescope Nerd
Castlefiction.com
Epic-Fantasy.com
The Fantasy Blog
The Fantasy Guide
Medieval Castles
Medieval Swords
Medieval Weapons
The knight Medieval
willkalif.com
make-video-games.com
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Kalif Publishing and StormtheCastle.com
For more information or for customer support check out the copyright and information page
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Resources for the Amateur Video Game Designer
Always dreamed of making your own fantasy game for your Xbox? Microsoft has announced their software package for you to make Xbox games on your computer! It's Called XNA Game Studio Express Read more about it
What software and books do you need to get started?
This depends on what kind of games you want to make and your skill as a programmer; or willingness to learn programming.. Let me break it down for you: This section is taken from the video game design FAQ
- Absolute Beginner: Make a 2d Side Scroller Game (Good Introduction to Game Making)
- You should Get the software and the book: Awesome
3d Game Development: No Programming Required
- Absolute Beginner: Make a 3d, Walk around the world, RPG style Game
- You should get the software and books:Ultimate
Game Design: Building Game Worlds
Many game design books give you an overall view. This book actually gives you real results and help with designing levels, textures and lighting. Good book for adults. - Willing to get better and learn how to program
- You should learn how to program in C++. Get these two books: The
First book (Sam's
Teach Yourself C++ in 21 Days
) is an excellent step by step guide to C++ programming which is an excellent language for game programming. The Second book (Beginning C++ Game Programming
- Want to be involved in video games professionally but not sure if I want to do design, scripts, music, art or something else
- You should get: Game
Design for Teens
This is a great book for learning all about game design. This isn't a book that you can use to make a game on your own. It shows you the real process for game design. If you are considering a career in games you should get this book. - Still Not sure about what I want to do?
- You should go to my tutorial on video game making and start there.It shows you what software to get, where to get it for free and takes you through the steps to make a 3d adventure style game. Within two hours you will have a character and a room for him to walk around in. You will also have learned a lot about what goes into video game design.
- The Genesis 3d Game Engine Resources
There are three different types of software that you should have to get going on video game design.
1. You need software that you will build the video game world in (often called world-building software). This is where you make the terrain, water, buildings etc. There are many different software applications that do this. If you want to get an overview of a lot of these I suggest you go to the DMOZ open directory project and check out Game Development Software
Many of these development software suites come complete with lots of textures and models that you can drag and drop right into your game. You can build complete games.
2. You need software to manipulate images and graphics. If you want to have individualized characters and items in your world or if you want a very specific look you will have to draw these items or modify existing items. This means a graphics program. I have been using Paint Shop Pro for years.
Paint Shop Pro
It is simply, for the price, the best. The professionals use PhotoShop but it is expensive.
3. You need modeling software so you can design and create your characters and items for the game.
There are two major programs that you should use for 3D modeling: 3D Studio Max (www.autodesk.com) and Maya (www.alias.com) They are both very expensive but Maya has a special free download for students and learning. Check out the Maya download.
Another big player in this field is Lightwave 3D.It is also an expensive program.
If you want to just get your feet wet on something simpler you might want to try a program called Milkshape3D (www.milkshape3d.com). Its a good 3d Modeling program that is predominantly used for Quake and Half life and Unreal. They have a free 30 day trial download.
Nice article on open software game engines
The Storm the Castle Tutorial on making your own video game for free. A step by step tutorial on how to make a video game with this open source software. Complete with pictures and explanations all along the way. You can have a single room game up and running in an hour.
I have the program right here for you to download. It is about 30Meg so if you are on a dial up modem it is going to take a while. Right click and select "Save As" Genesis 3D Developer Kit
For More comprehensive software, updates and other tools by Genesis 3d go to their home page and then proceed to the download page.
Screenshots? Here are some nice screenshots from a genesis3d created game
Some good information about the Genesis 3d Game engine
The Reality Factory Resources
Good Thread and information about The Reality Factory Game engine at Garage Games
Reality Factory Introductory video on You Tube
Video Game Summer Camps
Video Game Camp - iD Tech Camps is America's #1 summer computer camp for ages 7-17. Week long day and overnight technology programs offer students a chance to design 2D or 3D video games, create websites in Flash, program robots, edit digital movies, learn graphic design and more. iD Tech Camps also partners with Kahuna Bob's Surf Camp to offer a unique, hybrid Surf & Tech program. Students can exercise their bodies as well as their minds!
Visit iD Tech Camps or call 1-888-709-TECH (8324) for details. Save $50 by registering online by March 15th. Alumni also save an additional $25. Multi week discounts are also available. Have fun and do something big this summer!
Teen Game Development - The iD Gaming Academy is a premier overnight summer program focusing on game development for teens. Utilizing high-end production software such as Autodesk Maya, Adobe Photoshop, and Microsoft's XNA, courses include Game Modeling with Maya, Game Programming with XNA, and Level Design with Unreal. Visit idgamingacademy.com or call 1-888-709-TECH (8324) for details. Save $50 by registering online by March 15th. Alumni also save an additional $25. Multi week discounts are also available. Have fun and do something big this summer!
