game programming forum?

[ThePentiumGuy]

suggestion?

as a sub-forum under Graphcs, we should have a game programming forum..

 

many people are into game programming, and so, having a game programming forum *might* increase the number of visitors onto this site

 

i dunno just a suggestion.. (i hope im not the only one who supports this idea :rolleyes:

 

we recently added a DirectX forum, y not a game programming forum?

[divil]

I can't speak for the admins, but I expect the answer will be that there simply isn't yet enough activity to warrant dividing up the forums from what they are at the moment.

[Thinker]

I think divil hit the nail on the head.

[ThePentiumGuy]

oh.. :( there aren't many game programming forums out there for VB developers, only C++ game programming :(

 

gamedev.net is good but its not for .NET

 

:D hopefully one day ill start one :)

[divil]

I disagree with the principal of a game programming forum embedded in a general programming forum anyway. Anyone asking a "game programming" question here clearly hasn't broken the problem down properly, since there is no such thing.

 

There are graphics problems, there are math problems, there are logic, I/O, and efficiency problems amongst others. There are not game programming problems :)

[ThePentiumGuy]

oh

 

i kinda get your point now .. ;)

[wyrd]

Actually you can ask your question on gamedev.net in any language you like. Believe it or not there are quite a few people on there who write games in .NET and can help answer your questions. It's a language independant site. The only reason it seems that there's no one on there that programs in .NET is because most people program games in C/C++, and that's the language most people respond in. :)

[hog]

I am all for a forum that talks game programming ideas and tips:)

 

I with you on this one PentiumGuy:)

[ThePentiumGuy]

hmm.. maybe we should start a petition... well anyway

We'll keep in mind the people who "sign" the petition and when they become an admin, we'll remind them to start a Game Programing forum

 

OK. anyone who agrees with me and Hog to start a game programming forum reply ASAP

 

lol

[mutant]

I personally think Game Programming forum is a good idea.

:)

[Banjo]

In addition to posting here about .Net specific programming problems, if you want to discuss general game writing techniques/algorithms then you could try the Game Programming forum over at http://www.visualbasicforum.com. Just remember that most of the examples and general thinking will be for VB6 so you will need to translate the approaches they give to .Net and decide if they can be made to fit better with the properly OO nature of VB.Net.

[ThePentiumGuy]

oh...:( they get a game programming forum?

and we dont:(

[divil]

Like I said, there aren't anywhere near enough questions to warrant setting aside a separate forum here.

[Derek Stone]

The aim of these forums for the longest time was to remain a professional, yet pleasant community. Professional is the key word however. I honestly don't feel that a game programming forum would be beneficial to that focus. And as Tim has stated, and I agree, game development questions should be broken down into their core problem, not left in a heap altogether.

 

There are graphics problems, there are math problems, there are logic, I/O, and efficiency problems amongst others. There are not game programming problems

[hog]

DOH!

 

oh well perhaps if every now and then we bring this topic up we may get a forum, but hey I still think as forums go this one is topper so nuff said for now:)

[wyrd]

Professional is the key word however. I honestly don't feel that a game programming forum would be beneficial to that focus.

 

I hope you aren't suggesting that game programming is beneath software programming and not considered to be "professional."

 

I agree that posts should be broken down to the main problem and posted in the correct area, however your "not professional" outlook is a bit misleading.

 

There are graphics problems, there are math problems, there are logic, I/O, and efficiency problems amongst others. There are not game programming problems

 

This is a sound solution, however I see no forums for specific math and physics problems or A.I. problems. Where would one post this, in the general discussion? Also what about general game development, design and construction?

 

I believe a good solution is presented by your sister site, which has a forum named Game Programming, followed by a sub forum DirectX.

Edited June 22, 2003 by wyrd

[Derek Stone]

This is a sound solution, however I see no forums for specific math and physics problems or A.I. problems.

There simply isn't a demand for them and as a result I strongly doubt forums will be created for these topics at this time. Of course that's up to the current administration here, but from what I've seen in the past a few threads are not seen as grounds to go and create a new forum. For now, I'd suggest using the General forum for topics such as these.

 

As far as my comments regarding professionalism in game development they are just that-- my comments-- my opinion. The only people that I ever see asking game development questions are young kids or hobbyists, whom are not the group of people I'm targeting to help. I encourage them to explore game development as a hobby, but I honestly can't justify allocation of my time at least, to problems that really don't need solutions. I think it would be a shame that a developer who works for a living is getting ignored due to other questions that don't hold the same level of need. I'm not saying that would necessarily be the norm here, but that is my fear.

[wyrd]

There simply isn't a demand for them and as a result I strongly doubt forums will be created for these topics at this time. Of course that's up to the current administration here, but from what I've seen in the past a few threads are not seen as grounds to go and create a new forum. For now, I'd suggest using the General forum for topics such as these.

 

I agree there is no demand for them now, I was simply pointing out that in the future there may be a need for a general game development forum as there are a lot of gaming topics that do not fit any forums currently listed.

 

As far as my comments regarding professionalism in game development they are just that-- my comments-- my opinion. The only people that I ever see asking game development questions are young kids or hobbyists, whom are not the group of people I'm targeting to help. I encourage them to explore game development as a hobby, but I honestly can't justify allocation of my time at least, to problems that really don't need solutions. I think it would be a shame that a developer who works for a living is getting ignored due to other questions that don't hold the same level of need. I'm not saying that would necessarily be the norm here, but that is my fear.

 

90% of the questions I see on here are from non-professionals (hobbyists, kids, students, etc). Some of the "experts" on here aren't even "professionals" (ie; jfackler who's a Physician I believe).

 

It's a shame that you don't view game developers as professionals, especially since the gaming industry nets more $$ then the movie industry. Game developers work on average 60 hours a week, and have to know insane math, physics, a.i. and graphics on top of general programming. The worste part is games are evolving every day, and every year they must continue to push the envolope of the most powerful computers available so they can stay ahead of the competition. This in turn requires every game developer to stay on top of all aspects of the languages they use and the technology which games are built upon.

 

Because games are still primary built using C/C++ and dashes of Assembly, I seriously doubt you'll see a professional game developer anywhere near a .NET forum. So yes all of the questions will be coming from those who are looking to learn the basics of game programming, but is the VB6 sister site any different? You have a game programming forum there.

 

I come to these forums not because they are professional by means of professionals actually coming here, but I visit them because it's professional by means of treating everyone as if they were a professional regardless if they are a hobbiest, student, or otherwise. I find it discouraging that what I've viewed of these forums just isn't true, you obviously view professionals at a higher level and don't seem to give two-hoots about anyone else.

 

[edit]No need to be mean! You say that one of the things you like about this forum is that you are treated in a professional manner, it is only fair that you treat us the same. - Orbity[/edit]

Edited June 23, 2003 by John

[hog]

Well my two pence worth is that everyone is getting over heated over this topic. Let's just all agree that at the moment there isn't a real need for a forum and return to a more cool calm and state of helping each other out whoever we be:)

 

PS no I'm not a hippy!

[Martin]

disagree with the principal of a game programming forum embedded in a general programming forum anyway. Anyone asking a "game programming" question here clearly hasn't broken the problem down properly, since there is no such thing.

 

There are graphics problems, there are math problems, there are logic, I/O, and efficiency problems amongst others. There are not game programming problems

 

Including a "games programming" forum would, in my humble opinion, induce people with little experience to join the board and ask questions of a general nature ("How do I start writing a game?"), whereas those who are dedicated to writing games will post specific questions under the current headings.

 

I know I'm new, but I couldn't help but comment. :)

[ThePentiumGuy]

heh. thats true, i see a lot of it at gamedev.net

 

but if anybody wants a (in the future) game programmin board try

 

http://www.directx4.net/forum by Mutant

[mutant]

Thanks, but I dont think advertising like that is allowed :)

[ThePentiumGuy]

heh.. actually, if u think advertizing like that isn't allowed change ur signature, lol.

 

nah.. just like some people mentioned gamedev.net.. i mentioned ur site

 

its not really advertizing, is it? ;)

[Nerseus]

For the most part, all except the language specific and DX portions of the "game programming" questions can be answered here.

 

Want to write a tile-based game? The basic principals are the same and (as said numerous times) can be asked anywhere. If you get stuck on how to actually code a collection class to hold your sorcerer's spells, try the general forum. Or if you can't get the sorcerer sprite to draw transparent, try the graphics or DX forum.

 

If the post counts increased dramatically to where people looking for non-game related graphics questions got confused with all the game related questions, then maybe the forum could get split.

 

For the record, I would rather have a Crystal Reports forum before a Game Programming forum.

 

-nerseus

[Derek Stone]

I'd like to see a reporting forum as well, although I wouldn't want it limited to just Crystal Reports. That way I could ignore all the threads started there. :)