3D graphics?

[linkgoron]

I've always wanted to build a game with 3D graphics.

I've already built some 2D games (Pong like games, or Pacman using Java).
Currently I'm using C# where I work, and it looks like I could use it for games too. I've heard of XNA but it seems more oriented for 2d games.

I plan on building something like skyroads. I was wondering how hard it is, and can I complete such a project alone, in a decent time-frame (around a year?).

Maybe you guys can point me in the right direction?

 

[manko]

XNA is definitely 3D.

http://creators.xna.com/

Here are some tutorials to get you started:

Riemer's XNA Tutorials

Looking up Skyroads, I think you should be able to put something like that together.

Unfortunately, all the starter kits aren't available to free XNA members, but you can look at this one to get an idea of the graphics.

http://creators.xna.com/en-us/starterkit/shipgame

I haven't really played with XNA myself yet. It's on my to-do list.

You might also look into Blender which is good for 3D models and it also has it's own game engine which has been getting better and better lately. It has physics and you can do prototyping and basic things without programing. You can add more advanced features with Python.

 

[linkgoron]

Also, I don't mind learning actually working with DirectX or whatever.

I don't know how much work is done with XNA, but I don't like when everything is built for me. I'd prefer to actually build something instead of working with something that someone else built. IF... It's not too complicated. Even if it actually means reading a lot and things taking ten times longer.

I'm not saying ASM level, but also not 3d.DrawAmazingGraphics() .

 

[Sc4freak]

If you want to work with DirectX a little more directly in managed code, you can use the deprecated MDX wrapper, or SlimDX.

Otherwise, you're going to have to learn C++. If you don't already know it, it's going to take you a while before you can write a full 3D engine - at least a year just to get a good solid understanding of the language. I recommend that you stick with C# and use SlimDX, I doubt you'll need the performance of C++ for whatever you plan to make.

I also refer you to GameDev.net, which is great resource for someone like you. Ask in the forums over there if you need more help.

 

[linkgoron]

I've already got a year experience with c, but only limited experience with c++. But... I don't want to start working with too many languages at once, and because I'm working with c# where I work, I'd prefer sticking with it.

Looks like there's a lot of info at gamedev.net, so I'll surely look over there.

 

[manko]

Did you look at the tutorials I linked? As well as other topics, there's a very detailed tutorial going through the creation of a basic 3D flightsim in C# and XNA. A quick glance through the pages will show you if that's the direction you want to go. There's a lot of material there to keep you busy learning.

 

[deveraux]

I would have to agree with Sc4freak. If you are willing to do with OpenGL, an extension of the website linked by Sc4freak is http://nehe.gamedev.net. The explanations are for a windows machine (but really, that only affects certain inputs/setting up of a window). The core interface with OpenGL is the same immaterial of platform.

I have not used C# before so my apologies if the explanations deviate wildly from how the coding is done. The example codes given at the end of each lesson have C# implementations which you can use as a base to start with or at least as a learning tool. Bear in mind however, that writing a full 3D engine is a rather large undertaking depending obviously on how much you want to accomplish or at least, how much you want the engine to be able to do.

Good luck.