A question for those of you who are developing zune games

Jay_Fila · 07-14-2008, 05:07 PM

I have never used code before but have always wanted to. When Microsoft provided a software that can be used to make our own games that we can play on zune I was suddenly very motivated to learn coding and more specifically, C#. I have watched some tutorials and it is pretty confusing to me but I am determined to learn. I am just wondering where you got your start and how difficult it was for you to learn. Any advice would be appreciated...Thanks!

SimReality · 07-14-2008, 05:50 PM

Start by learning C# first. Don't even look at XNA. All you will do is confuse yourself and have twice as much material you don't know how to use. Learn C#. Once you have a decent grasp on C#. Then step up to learning XNA.

For C#, just Google 'C# tutorial'. The first one up is pretty good: C# Station: C# Tutorial - Introduction.

For XNA, check out XNA Creators Club Online - home. Plenty of learning stuff there. There's also http://www.ziggyware.com. Of course some of the stuff only works on PC/360, but most of the 2D samples and articles out there will work just fine on the Zune.

CouchPotato99 · 07-14-2008, 06:00 PM

If you are an absolute beginner like I was and can't learn it from online tutorials, go to your library and see if they have

"Learn to Program with C#" by John... . It's an incredibly simple book. Learned enough C# in no time from it.

Jay_Fila · 07-14-2008, 06:06 PM

Thanks for the help and I will definitely use the advice...the online tutorials are confusing at times but I am beginning to grasp the concept. I think reading a book is a great idea and I'll check out the library to see if I can get one. Thanks a ton

Netrix · 07-14-2008, 06:34 PM

For me, I have been programming (on and off) since I was about 13. I started programming with Visual Basic. I got a Casio BE-300 for my birthday, and I found a C-like proprietary programming language for the Pocket PC (PocketC). It was through PocketC that I learned the syntax of C. Then I became interested in programming for a MUD (text-based online game) that I was playing, which was written in C++. I got used to programming in C++, then after I learned all I could, I moved on to OpenGL via GLUT and wrote a 3D game engine (partially complete). I took a break from programming, then got my Zune and XNA. I programmed Solitaire while learning C# and XNA. It only took three days to program the first release. That's pretty much it.

Jay_Fila · 07-14-2008, 10:06 PM

3 days? Thats awesome, thats good to know that once I get started it gets easier. I am just beginning and am 17 (as of yesterday)

DiNoGames · 07-15-2008, 10:48 AM

Happy birthday

Jay_Fila · 07-15-2008, 03:13 PM

Thanks!

sk8er209 · 07-15-2008, 04:40 PM

lol i'm going to be 18 in march and i just started also learning i think i know as much as you know so don't feel too bad about the age it's never too late to learn something. dam netrix 13 i don't remember doing that much in that age.

jaw86camaro · 07-15-2008, 05:02 PM

i started programming when i was a Freshman in highschool. by pissing of all my math teachers with TI BASIC Games. i started making them and distributing them around the school. also programs that did homework practically for you. i got REALLY good at TI BASIC which is not that hard. and am now working on an RPG. it takes way too long to program in BASIC though and it hurts your fingers after a while. i am not very good at any other types of programming right now. but i am slowly learning

Jay_Fila · 07-15-2008, 06:16 PM

Yeah, I wish I started earlier but whatever, at least I'm doing it now...I've been watching/reading tutorials every day for about a week now and I just want to make something!! I haven't been able to try anything myself yet...I'm working on getting a book

Netrix · 07-15-2008, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaw86camaro

i started programming when i was a Freshman in highschool. by pissing of all my math teachers with TI BASIC Games. i started making them and distributing them around the school. also programs that did homework practically for you. i got REALLY good at TI BASIC which is not that hard. and am now working on an RPG. it takes way too long to program in BASIC though and it hurts your fingers after a while. i am not very good at any other types of programming right now. but i am slowly learning

Oh. That's what I forgot. Around the same time I was using Visual Basic, I was also programming my TI-83 Plus. I made several games for it, but my math teacher cleared the memory on our calculators for our exam.

ShotgunSnipist · 07-15-2008, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaw86camaro

i started programming when i was a Freshman in high school. by pissing of all my math teachers with TI BASIC Games. i started making them and distributing them around the school. also programs that did homework practically for you. i got REALLY good at TI BASIC which is not that hard. and am now working on an RPG. it takes way too long to program in BASIC though and it hurts your fingers after a while. i am not very good at any other types of programming right now. but i am slowly learning

Same except I did TrueBasic.
I think it Crucial to learn a simple language such as Basic first so you can learn how programs work.
Another plus of learning a language like Basic is when you switch to C# C++ etc you will see how much better they are and truly appreciate them. I once make a 100% text based RPG in basic. It was just under 1000 lines. Now I think I could program the same in about 200-300. Not to mention include graphics. and more stuff.

As for starting C# I recommend "Head First C#" It's great entertaining Etc.

Jay_Fila · 07-15-2008, 09:34 PM

I'm starting Visual Basic this year in highschool (I'm going to be a junior) so hopefully I learn some useful information...

07-14-2008, 05:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jay_Fila Jr. Zuner Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 36 Reputation: 13	A question for those of you who are developing zune games I have never used code before but have always wanted to. When Microsoft provided a software that can be used to make our own games that we can play on zune I was suddenly very motivated to learn coding and more specifically, C#. I have watched some tutorials and it is pretty confusing to me but I am determined to learn. I am just wondering where you got your start and how difficult it was for you to learn. Any advice would be appreciated...Thanks!

07-14-2008, 06:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
Netrix Purger of Ignorance zB Programmer Section Staff Super Zuner Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: In my own world Posts: 1,655 Reputation: 221 Awards Showcase Total Awards: 1	For me, I have been programming (on and off) since I was about 13. I started programming with Visual Basic. I got a Casio BE-300 for my birthday, and I found a C-like proprietary programming language for the Pocket PC (PocketC). It was through PocketC that I learned the syntax of C. Then I became interested in programming for a MUD (text-based online game) that I was playing, which was written in C++. I got used to programming in C++, then after I learned all I could, I moved on to OpenGL via GLUT and wrote a 3D game engine (partially complete). I took a break from programming, then got my Zune and XNA. I programmed Solitaire while learning C# and XNA. It only took three days to program the first release. That's pretty much it. __________________ "Against logic there is no armor like ignorance." - Laurence J. Peter Solitaire for your Zune! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Zune Book Reader! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-15-2008, 10:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
DiNoGames zB Programmer Jr. Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Bremen, germany Posts: 408 Reputation: 172	Happy birthday __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-15-2008, 04:40 PM	#9 (permalink)
sk8er209 Experienced Zuner Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 141 Reputation: 10	lol i'm going to be 18 in march and i just started also learning i think i know as much as you know so don't feel too bad about the age it's never too late to learn something. dam netrix 13 i don't remember doing that much in that age. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-15-2008, 05:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
jaw86camaro Zuner Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Zootown Montana Posts: 83 Reputation: 11	i started programming when i was a Freshman in highschool. by pissing of all my math teachers with TI BASIC Games. i started making them and distributing them around the school. also programs that did homework practically for you. i got REALLY good at TI BASIC which is not that hard. and am now working on an RPG. it takes way too long to program in BASIC though and it hurts your fingers after a while. i am not very good at any other types of programming right now. but i am slowly learning __________________ -=[JAW]=- ~Fast cars and Music~ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-14-2008, 05:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
SimReality Jr. Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 410 Reputation: 60	Start by learning C# first. Don't even look at XNA. All you will do is confuse yourself and have twice as much material you don't know how to use. Learn C#. Once you have a decent grasp on C#. Then step up to learning XNA. For C#, just Google 'C# tutorial'. The first one up is pretty good: C# Station: C# Tutorial - Introduction. For XNA, check out XNA Creators Club Online - home. Plenty of learning stuff there. There's also http://www.ziggyware.com. Of course some of the stuff only works on PC/360, but most of the 2D samples and articles out there will work just fine on the Zune.

07-14-2008, 06:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
CouchPotato99 Zuner Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 75 Reputation: 53	If you are an absolute beginner like I was and can't learn it from online tutorials, go to your library and see if they have "Learn to Program with C#" by John... . It's an incredibly simple book. Learned enough C# in no time from it.

07-14-2008, 06:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jay_Fila Jr. Zuner Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 36 Reputation: 13	Thanks for the help and I will definitely use the advice...the online tutorials are confusing at times but I am beginning to grasp the concept. I think reading a book is a great idea and I'll check out the library to see if I can get one. Thanks a ton

07-14-2008, 10:06 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jay_Fila Jr. Zuner Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 36 Reputation: 13	3 days? Thats awesome, thats good to know that once I get started it gets easier. I am just beginning and am 17 (as of yesterday)

07-15-2008, 03:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
Jay_Fila Jr. Zuner Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 36 Reputation: 13	Thanks!

07-15-2008, 06:16 PM	#11 (permalink)
Jay_Fila Jr. Zuner Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 36 Reputation: 13	Yeah, I wish I started earlier but whatever, at least I'm doing it now...I've been watching/reading tutorials every day for about a week now and I just want to make something!! I haven't been able to try anything myself yet...I'm working on getting a book

07-15-2008, 09:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jay_Fila Jr. Zuner Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 36 Reputation: 13	I'm starting Visual Basic this year in highschool (I'm going to be a junior) so hopefully I learn some useful information...

Advertisement