from start to finish

[face007]

I am very new to programming but I have this idea for a game that I want to run with. How would I go about writing a game in lets say C++ and playing it on my xbox or playstation. Do I need special equipment or can I just write the game and burn it to a disk and pop it in and play.

[Shockwave]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

It's not so straight forward as that unfortunately, the first thing you'll need to do before you start to write a game is to learn the basics of programming.

I think C++ is a good idea, some people would say to learn a variation of basic first of all but I disagree. C++ is Object orientated which means that you can use it to create certain objects and attribute characteristics to them so that they can be re-used many times over in a game. Most (but not all) versions of basic are structured with functions etc and are not as flexible.

You will need a development package for C++, lots of people here have installed M$ visual studio (it's a free, but very large download), there is a guide for doing this in our C/C++/C# forum. You could also use DEVC by bloodshed which is a lot smaller to download but arguably an inferior development environment.

I'd reccomend that after you have C++ installed that you write some programs, get a good beginners book like "teach yourself C++ in 21 days". This will show you how to write simple programs and once you have that grounding you can look at what is involved in getting your programs to run on your X-Box, which I'd guess is an easier platform to develop for than your Playstation. I don't know for sure because I am a PC demo programmer, there are guys here that are heavily into development on the consoles though so you should get plenty of help.

[Sledge]

You always have the option of diving straight into Xbox360 development by using the XNA framework under C# with Visual Studio Express. Free downloads from Microsoft, all (although there's a yearly subscription fee for accessing the XNA user stuff on 360, but you could always develop for Windows with XNA first to see if you even like it). C# is object oriented also and more 'managed' (it's less prone to letting you *really* screw up) than C++ although less of an industry standard for anything other than tools I understand.

[madsravn]

I myself have almost started out programming C++ for real. I have been playing around with "hello world" and loops before, but it is first now that I have bought a book and are really doing some real coding. I would recommend the book called "C++ Primer Plus" by Stephen Prata. It's a straight forward book with good examples with explanation.
For compiler you have two options. Download the Visual Studio or Dev-C++ from Bloodshed (What Shockwave said). I would recommend you starting with Dev-C++. It's   a small download and it is very easy to use. You just say "New -> Source Code" and then you are ready to code. In Visual Studio you have to create a project first and so on. Right now I'm using Visual Studio though, as I'm doing some bigger projects than "hello world" and loops But C++ is kinda nice, I wish you a great journey through it.

[benny!]

@face007:

  to the forum - enjoy your stay!

Concerning XBOX360 development as an indie - I would without a doubt use C# with
the XNA framework. There are plenty of tutorials online and you can compareable rapidly
built games with this framework.

But as shocky already says - if you are new to programming - you have go through the
basics of programming. So before you learn about 3D engines and cool game programming
you have to face with the basic logic and syntax of programming languages.

Even it may be hard in the beginning - its worth it. And do not hesitate to ask questions
here !!!

[Shockwave]

Right now I'm using Visual Studio though, as I'm doing some bigger projects than "hello world" and loops But C++ is kinda nice, I wish you a great journey through it.

You're always welcome to post your work in this board if you'd like, we'd be happy to see