GE programming days are over for me...

[pyrometal]

Yes, the title tells the truth unfortunately... This DOES NOT mean I won't be around! I will be on the forum regularly to provide help to those in need and give advice. I check posts everyday and intend to continue doing so for a LONG time, trust me on that.

As a kid, playing my favorite SNES games, I devellopped a dream, one that most of us here in the forum have. This dream was to someday be able to create and design my very own videogame(s). I used to sketch my idea in a drawing pad and get my friends advice and thoughts on those ideas. At the time, I had no programming, no graphic, and no musical experience at all.

From that point on I started my search for knowledge and tools that I required to accomplish this dream of mine. I stubbled on a variety of tools across the internet through my searchs, but could never find something which allowed me to understand what I was doing. I then came across Game Maker. At first it seemed very good; I could drag and drop things and add events in that fashion too. It allowed me to gain a base feel of a very simple game structure. But unfortunately, I eventually found myself stranded... GM couldn't allow me to pass beyond that base level... It required me to research about things I had no knowledge of at that time.

Because of this problem, I searched to see if I could find a tool that would be better for me to evolve. I pretty much though it was impossible at that time, but went along anyway. That's when I stumbled upon Game Editor. Back then GE worked on a 30 day free trial version and Bronze, Silver, Gold packages. At first I have to admit the interface confused me slighly, there was just so many options exposed! But then I figured out little by little how to work with GE, and I was enjoying it! I was building a small project and then my free trial expired. I was faced with 2 options, the first was to buy GE, the second was to revert back to GM. After a week, I decided I would buy GE, and see if could improve my use of it...

And this brings me back to today my friends, after 2.5 years of using GE on a regular basis, I have come to learn it like the back of my hand. GE practically "made" me a programmer and game creator. I consider GE to have been my true "stepping stone" into this wonderful domain. I am truly grateful for it and I would like to formally thank Makslane for providing the world such a wonderful tool.

Unfortunately, this brings me back to the original purpose of this post; my GE programming days are over... Although I have yet to produce a truly completed game, I feel as if I have "outgrown" my need for using GE, kinda like becoming an adult and moving away from home. GE has though me the use of the C programming language to high extents! There are things I want to do in my game that, simply put, GE cannot allow me to do anymore. After long considerations, I sent myself out on the internet once more in the search for the next level of learning. Since I know for a fact that I can program a game engine from scratch now, I was search for a C devellopment tool (Dev C++). I have finally found one I like. I also needed a library of graphical/typical game functions since C does not natively support graphics or sound. I have found one of these too (allegro.h). I shall now code entirely code from scratch so I can allow myself to be truly independant.

Of course I will not abandon this place though, like I previously mentioned. Going back to the "becoming an adult" analogy, moving away from your former home and your parents doesn't mean you won't go visit them on a regular basis and give them news about yourself! And that is exactly how I feel about this place, therefore I shall send news and visit once in a while!

This all I really have to say... I hope you guys understand, I'm not stopping using GE because I want to, its more like I have to in order to improve...

Thank you very much to all of you!

ttyl! --pyro

[makslane]

I think you can learn a little bit more now by looking the Game Editor code.
Just move from here to here and here:-)
Take a deep breath, and you will see the good things in the code thats will put you in a new level of development.

Thanks, Pyro, keep your developing dreams.

[pyrometal]

Thank you Makeslane! I cannot launch myself in GE's devellopment at the moment because I lack knowledge of OO programing and any experience... That's not to say that I'll never help! I have university classes which I will be getting later which can teach me these things. Therefore you can expect I'll be back to work on GE once I have those under my belt. ttyl!

[jimmynewguy]

*sigh*
it seems like every one is leaving
you will be remeberd well and your developement has touched many of those new to GE and me
ttyl Pyro and good luck.


ps: What will happen to the new game youve worked hard on recently?

[pyrometal]

Good point, I guess I can release some source codes for everyone's enjoyment and learning experiences. At the same time, I could release Mazeman's and Retroman's source codes too.

And NO, I'm NOT leaving this place at all! I'm just not going to be programming my own games with GE, that's all, but I can still release some demos and examples to help the community! I WILL BE AROUND I SWEAR IT!

[BlarghNRawr]

you also swore you would finish those games... jk
good luck with whatever you're going to do now

-Blargh'N'Rawr