After you learn C++, how do you get into programming video games?

Question

Right now I am learning C++ and it is going well, however I can't help but wonder how I am going to use this to make video games. Do I just open up Visual studios and just start building? And if they have software made for gaming, how will my C++ lessons come in handy? Is there a certain C++ update or software that works for gaming? It is kind of confusing to me and I am wondering how it all works. Like for example, how do Nintendo or GameFreak start building their games?

Answer 1

an easy way is to use a game engine, like the unreal engine. you use c++ as the game logic.

Answer 2

For 2D games, which is where you should probably start, learn about the SDL2 library. It works with C and C++, and handles everything you need for a 2D game.

For a 3D game, you have 2 options:

1. Use a game engine. For C++, I would use Unreal Engine.

2. Use a graphics library. I’m trying to learn OpenGL with GLFW and GLEW, and this is definitely the harder of the 2 options, but a good extra challenge.

Answer 3

The language is a tool... C++ is a powerful tool but understand it is not final step for getting into game programming... Math, Data structures, ai, graphics principles and more are necessary for going to develop a (more than really simple) game... I know because i tried ans for now i learning... Game Engines hide some complexity but assume some knowlgmens by you... i suggest you to seaech articles and other stuff in gamedev.net and gamasutra

Answer 4

If you just want to learn to program better, you could use GUI libraries to make your game from scratch.
If you want to make a game, use engine.

Answer 5

Do some research into frameworks and game engines those are the backbone of top AAA games these days.

Answer 6

As an Indie Game Developer, it depends what games you are trying to make. For 2D (some with depth (z)) games we have been using OpenGL but given an engine already made by our professors at the time. For 3D games we used both Unreal Engine 4 with blueprints and then Unreal Engine 4 with only using C++ code. Unity has also been used but for coding Unreal Engine 4 is better, it gives you more freedom and lets you customize anything you want.

So to better answer your question, I would start with OpenGL: https://learnopengl.com . This website gives very good information how the graphics work, 2D, textures and so forth, 3D cubes and so forth.

Hope this helps. Good luck

Answer 7

Thank you all! I want to build some of the best video games one day and this is a huge step. I can't wait to build awesome RPG's and Platformers and such!