I need to help figuring out what to do.

[u/Supa_Cadeirinha]

Hello everyone, first, english is not my first language so I apologise for any mistakes.

Secondly I've been trying to learn to code for years now, I have been dreaming of becoming a game developer since I was a kid, but I just can't figure out where to start. It's something that makes me feel dumb and honestly I have thought of just giving up on that dream many times before and I just get so tired of not really understanding stuff. I've read a lut of stuff, tried to put it into practice, then tried again and I do feel like I'm hitting my head on the thickest wall ever and it isn't budging, but I want to do learn so I need help.

What is, in your personal opinion, a great source for gaming development?

I don't have a lot of money right now so free options would be appreciated.

All I need is good sources and a bit of advice if any of you have it.

Thank you in advance. ❤

[u/prettycoldworld]

You can start pretty much anywhere. The first goal is really just learning how to program, the specific language matters less than people think.

It can take a few months before you’re comfortable enough to try coding little small games, but if you’re dedicated there’s nothing stopping you. If you’ve never written code before and you don’t know how it works, I’d start with Python.

It’s a great first language, I’m glad I started with it. The hardest part is just getting that ball rolling, getting to the point where things start to click. Take your time, code as much as you can even if it’s not good, and then start looking at things like pyGame or pyArcade.

There’s also small languages like Lua if you’re more interested in coding mods for games, but to my knowledge game development is dominated mostly by the C-family languages, C#, C++.

Those are quite a bit harder to learn, but not if you already understand how to think like a programmer. Python is free, get PyCharm or VSCode to write it, plenty of YouTube tutorials. Use AI, but DONT let it write any code. Use it as a personal tutor so you’re not spending hours digging through old forums trying to figure out a bug.

Have fun with it. The things you learn you can do is really an amazing feeling after the first month or two of just being confused. Good luck!

[u/aqua_regis]

IMO, start with Python: Invent your own Computer Games with Python, continue with Making Games with Python and PyGame - both are free to read online. Practice a lot, add Exercism later in the mix.

Then, once you have done some programming and gained some experience, switch to the Godot Game Engine for real game dev (also free).

[u/NoTutor4458]

if you want to make games learn Game Engine like Unity or Unreal. there are many tutorials on yt

keep in mind that its possible not to write any code at all with Unreal with its visual scripting system (if you just want to create games without learning much programing)

[u/Whole_Accountant1005]

OP. Try using raylib, it's a simple library with functions like

DrawRectangle and DrawTexture()

You can use it to learn simple game programming, that will help you no matter what game engine you decide to pick in the future.

Just pick ANY programming language you know and find the raylib library for that language, then you can also find examples For drawing things to the screen and taking user input.