How did you learn game programming ?

[Teraku]

My teacher once said to me "You should try making a game in Love2D". It's still going pretty well, even though I had to completely rewrite the code a day after I started because it was a huge mess.

That's how I started making a semi-serious game.

[kikito]

Well a very complicated problem might take up to 1-2 hours, a simple one, well, maye 20 minutes.

A very complicated problem can take me several months. But that's when I enjoy the journey; I don't care investing lots of time if I'm having fun. When I don't enjoy working on a problem, I can probably find a 'good enough' solution in one evening. I will not take pride in that code, but at least I will be able to move over to another thing.

[DSSiege11]

I learned C++ programming (and a lot of other game making related things) at school Only had it in my first year though. But I loved doing it! Had been doing mostly graphics before that and had to rely on software like gamemaker to make games so writing code was something new and exciting So I did programming on my own from there on. Mostly C++ but later on I also learned Actionscript, Javascript, coding in Unity,...

It definitely takes time but if you really want to learn you will get there for sure! It's all about syntax and a bit of logical thinking

Btw, this is my first (well actually second ') post here on the forums Hello everyone! *waves*

[ejmr]

I've been programming since 1993 and I still learn new things on a weekly basis. But I completely agree with Kirito re. it's the journey that is fun. Personally I think people learn best when they're having fun, so regardless of what resources you use for studying (like from Eamonn's great post) you're going to be fine as long as you're having fun. It makes your brain into a big, happy sponge, heh.

[ivan]

After a myriad of attempts and fails on making 2D games, I recently asked myself a question : How do other people make such good games, while I'm barely able to make a character jump. When I glance at games like Limbo, Super Meat Boy and The Binding of Isaac, I just wonder how did the people behind these "masterpieces" learn game programming ?

Well, good artists, talent, experience and lots and lots of time.

I don't think the programming in Super Meat Body and the Binding of Issac is that complicated. Those games are good mostly because the gameplay - obviously it took a long time to make the gameplay balanced and fun. Limbo is great because of the art direction and the content (physics-based puzzles). In other words, there is game content and gameplay design where the programming is what brings it together. Having said that there are procedural games that generate some of their content from algorithms. Like in the Binding of Issac, the levels are procedural but the items and graphics are the actual content.
Also keep in mind that games like Limbo were made by teams of people.

So, I'm asking you about your own experience : Did you learn by yourself things like collision detection, jumps and all that stuff, or did you follow tutorial from A to Z, and then inspired from them ?

I learned from books, tutorials and by looking at other people's code. In my opinion the simpler and shorter the code, the better.

I really need some evidence that I'm not a dumb good-to-nothing and worthless programmer and that I can really improve myself...

One way to improve, especially as a Lua/Love2D programmer is to make libraries. Make your own collision library and build a few prototypes on top of it. Most games are built on top of libraries, like Limbo was built on top of Box2D.
What I'm saying is, as a learning programmer, you don't want to spend your time creating content.

[Ekamu]

Having fun seems to be the main path to achieving programmers flow, when that happens it becomes something you enjoy as you go along. a journey.
But sometimes we get fixated on larger problems and then frustration creeps in. distractions from daily life can also hinder programmers flow.

I think the best way to learn is to progress and continuously seek programmers flow. you do this by scoping your task down to the basics until the solutions are within your reach. It feels good and then you build your confidence and can then handle more advanced things.

As for time, its endless.