Hello all! Finally started coding and absolutely loving it. But how do I progress?

Getting Started Newbie Questions
#1

Corona is awesome so far, but I hope I am headed in the right direction.

I have always wanted to make games, but for years I kept telling myself it was to hard to learn.

Never done any programming except some “basic” about a million years ago.

Finally giving into passion, I am now throwing myself into this full-time, and making a real push to get very good at it.

It has only been two months since I started learning Lua and the going is tough but fun.

Figuring out a problem is very rewarding.

I have also been learning a few different art programs( my favorite for sprites so far is GraphicsGale ),

and I have some experience with music and sound, so I will be able to put it all together into a game.

I have been watching many videos and reading articles, but is there a somewhat linear path I should take to make sure that I am progressing at a solid rate?

I plan to get good at creating side-scrolling and single screen Platformers/Shooters, as those are my favorites to play.

Is there certain videos or articles anyone suggests to look into?

I do not want to simply copy other peoples codes. I would like to get good enough to have an idea in my head and be able to implement it all by myself.

Thank you to everyone involved in creating this amazing program!

-Eric

#2

@Eric,

Welcome to the community.

The best way to get good at anything is to do it over and over.

Be sure to do plenty of reading, both here (blogs, guides, and API docs), as well as externally (books, articles, etc.)

For success here, I would

  1. Focus on fundamental Lua understanding (skip meta-anything): types, operators, loops, tables, functions, and writing modules.
  2. Focus on fundamental display objects understanding, then transitions, then physics, …
  • Do not use composer to start, till you understand display groups and Lua modules.
  • Do not even worry about interfaces, native features, monetization, or anything not directly related to making a fun to play game till much later.

Don’t be averse to using code from others.  Sure, it is great to write your own, but till you see it done, it is sometimes hard to get from zero to understanding.  Be aware of these resources:

Is there a linear path?

Honestly, “No.”   Game development and design  has gotten both much simpler and more complicated at the same time.

  • Simpler in the sense that the mechanics are super easy compared to what it took to write even the most rudimentary graphics code in 1996.
  • More complex in that the language and concepts of game design have expanded and become diluted.
    • Expanded - There are many more game terms and concepts than we had in the early days because folks have explored the field more.
    • Diluted - There are many non-experts in the field now who often make up terms and or misuse existing ones, thus confusing things and making clear communication about concepts difficult at times.

Lastly, I want to reiterate.  Do not be averse to using other folks’ code (or ideas) to start from.  

See this great article: https://www.buildbox.com/making-games-with-model-and-improve/

#3

@Eric,

One more note.  I’m currently collecting requests from the community on a game.  I’ll be sharing the code for this game with the community, so if you did want to add a request(s) to this game definition, please do:

https://forums.coronalabs.com/topic/66772-ssk2-lets-make-1-brainstorming/

#4

Wow, thanks a ton for all the useful info. I am subbed to Corona Geek on YouTube, just got done watching the Geometry Wars Twin Stick videos. I am getting straight to work learning and memorizing the fundamentals, as you recommend. And I will be sure to use all these great resources. Very much appreciated.

#5

Great advises @roaminggamer I also use it.

#6

@Eric,

Welcome to the community.

The best way to get good at anything is to do it over and over.

Be sure to do plenty of reading, both here (blogs, guides, and API docs), as well as externally (books, articles, etc.)

For success here, I would

  1. Focus on fundamental Lua understanding (skip meta-anything): types, operators, loops, tables, functions, and writing modules.
  2. Focus on fundamental display objects understanding, then transitions, then physics, …
  • Do not use composer to start, till you understand display groups and Lua modules.
  • Do not even worry about interfaces, native features, monetization, or anything not directly related to making a fun to play game till much later.

Don’t be averse to using code from others.  Sure, it is great to write your own, but till you see it done, it is sometimes hard to get from zero to understanding.  Be aware of these resources:

Is there a linear path?

Honestly, “No.”   Game development and design  has gotten both much simpler and more complicated at the same time.

  • Simpler in the sense that the mechanics are super easy compared to what it took to write even the most rudimentary graphics code in 1996.
  • More complex in that the language and concepts of game design have expanded and become diluted.
    • Expanded - There are many more game terms and concepts than we had in the early days because folks have explored the field more.
    • Diluted - There are many non-experts in the field now who often make up terms and or misuse existing ones, thus confusing things and making clear communication about concepts difficult at times.

Lastly, I want to reiterate.  Do not be averse to using other folks’ code (or ideas) to start from.  

See this great article: https://www.buildbox.com/making-games-with-model-and-improve/

#7

@Eric,

One more note.  I’m currently collecting requests from the community on a game.  I’ll be sharing the code for this game with the community, so if you did want to add a request(s) to this game definition, please do:

https://forums.coronalabs.com/topic/66772-ssk2-lets-make-1-brainstorming/

#8

Wow, thanks a ton for all the useful info. I am subbed to Corona Geek on YouTube, just got done watching the Geometry Wars Twin Stick videos. I am getting straight to work learning and memorizing the fundamentals, as you recommend. And I will be sure to use all these great resources. Very much appreciated.

#9

Great advises @roaminggamer I also use it.