What are good free game developing tools for an amateur like me?

[plastick]

I have been modeling in 3d for a while now, mainly using Cinema 4D. I know how to model and I know how to texture, and lately I have been thinking about getting knowledgeable with game developing. I would like to be able to compose models in Cinema 4D and add bones there or maybe in Max, and then be able to export them to a game engine, or something (this is where I stop knowing what Im talking about)...I have unreal tournament 2004, and therefore have the level editor and I know that there are ways to make games with that. But Im not sure the limitations. I also know about there being some kind of half life or quake engine or something that people use... I know its not like an easy thing that one can just do, but I know that there have to be some tools that are better that others.

Im just asking for maybe a couple good points in the right direction since I'm not too sure where to look at first.

Thanks.

 

[MrChad]

You might want to check out Microsoft's XNA tools. They're supposed to simplify game development using the .NET framework. There's a free IDE available and some good resources on MS' website.

 

[wwswimming]

oops

 

[wwswimming]

DXstudio

Flux Studio from Media Machines.com

also, Microsoft has a 90 day sort-of-full-function demo of Visual Studio.

 

[plastick]

hmm... I will look into the XNA stuff.. I forgot to mention that I would like to deal with the LEAST ammount of programming as possible - Like, I dont want to code... hence my consideration of the Unreal Editor. I dont know if XNA deals with that or not....

 

[DaveSimmons]

XNA is more of a programming system than a ready-to-use game engine.

If you don't want to write code then sticking with moddable engines/games like UT2004 and Obilivion sounds like the best plan for now.

I haven't done game programming since the C=64 days so I can't recommend any specific engines, but I can suggest poking around www.gamasutra.com