Looking to create a space sim

Aug 11, 2008
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First off - HELLO!!!

I've been browsing this site for years, but for some reason seldom look in the forums - until lately. I must say, these are some of the most helpful posts and replies I've seen anywhere. It's nice to see a place so civilized on the 'net.

To the point-
When I was young I loved the old Wing Commander games and recently noticed someone created a port of Privateer to a more recent 800x600 resolution that can be run in Windows. Needless to say it has brought back the old memories of how much fun that style of game is. Unfortunately it has also shown me how bad the graphics were back then. I loved the MS Freelancer game, but nothing has really come out in the genre since then. So I thought I'd look at creating my own game. Not commercial of course, but something I can enjoy playing around with.

My experience-
I've done alot of script work in VBScript, written some programs in VB6 & 2003, and had a bit of experience in C and C#. I'm good with the fundamentals of programming for things like databases, network scans, text file parsing, etc. You know, the usual work stuff. I haven't really looked into creating anything with graphics such as games.

So, where should I start? What would be the best language and environment to develop in? Any good sites that have useful information for this type of game?
 

sao123

Lifer
May 27, 2002
12,656
207
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Originally posted by: crazyhandpuppet
But still, where do I start. I'm sure programming with graphics is a substantial difference from programming business.

you could start with DirectX for .net programming.
 

AnthroAndStargate

Golden Member
Oct 7, 2005
1,350
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Originally posted by: sao123
Originally posted by: crazyhandpuppet
But still, where do I start. I'm sure programming with graphics is a substantial difference from programming business.

you could start with DirectX for .net programming.

Develop for Open GL so us Linux and Mac users can play :) Screw DX lol
 

QuixoticOne

Golden Member
Nov 4, 2005
1,855
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For one check out demos and programs that have already been done, check out the techniques and so on.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbiter_(sim)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celestia
http://www.xpilot.org/
http://tnlgame.net/
http://www.viewizard.com/astromenace/index_linux.php
http://www.devolution.com/~slouken/Maelstrom/index.html

Then start checking out various game engines, especially the free / open source ones:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_engine
...and then their forums, demos, sample code, level editors, etc.