Pre-Game Jam Preparation: Programmer

Programmer's Pre-Game Jam Preparation

The purpose of this thread is to orient a programmer of early/beginner levels on how to prepare for the Game Jam without feeling empty-handed. Please note that this is not a rule. This is more of an advice or suggestion on how to prepare yourself.

(sidenote) Ben, this is for you! (/sidenote)

What Programming Language Do You Know?
This is not work -- this is Game Jam! It's about the game's unique design and speed of delivery. So it would be best to use the programming language that is most familiar and comfortable to you.

Based, on what you know, here are my suggestions:

Background: C# / Java / JavaScript / C/C++
I suggest using Unity Game Engine. This is the most fastest way to prototype a game nowadays. With Unity, you already have an engine and toolset that works without too much hassle of setting up. As a programmer using Unity, you should just concentrate now on making gameplay scripts in (C# or Javascript) and integrating art assets. The interface and workflow is almost near to Flash Game Programming. This is very artist and designer friendly. If you've decided to go for this, I suggest to practice on the Lerpz tutorials found on the Unity website. It's free by the way.

Background: C# / Java / C/C++
If you're into pure C#, and would like to have more programming control over the construction of the game, yet you have all the necessary libraries instantly for your your programming needs, I suggest that you use Microsoft XNA Framework. Once you have that ready, head over to Riemer's XNA Tutorials. It's free.

Background: C/C++ / Pascal / Hard-headed Old Skool Guy
There is still hope for guys like you and yes, C++ is still the primera lingua of Game Development for tons of reasons. However, we're on a time-constraint game jam and results are more important than your eliteness. If you don't like the two suggestions above, and like the overall control on your programming, then there's no doubt about C++. But, I would suggest for you to take a look at SDL, which is low-level but rids of the unnecessary lengthy code for windows management, sounds, images, and time. It's like a bit of XNA but not entirely like XNA. Also, you might want to integrate existing libraries such as OGRE, Irrlicht, fmod, etc. Since you're so L337, I assume you already know how to proceed.

You know what, I suggest you go for learning C# for just a half a day using this free online C# book and use Unity or XNA!

What Else Should I Know?
If I were a student programmer with no prior knowledge in game programming and with a global game jam time-constraint, it's good enough if you can visualize and program the game at your will and how you perceive it was programmed. You can neglect the idea of how's pros do it. But, it would never hurt knowing the following items I am about to tell you. In fact, you have no excuse now since I'm spoon feeding to you the resources now. Go ahead and learn:

- Game Loops (basic stuff)
- Game Mathematics (Trigonometry for beginners at least)
- Other random game programming stuff.

What Should I Make For Practice?
I know, I know, you feel like that you're just a programmer who wants to make games but no idea what for you to practice on. I understand. (Oh poor fella) Well here are the things I would suggest. At first, don't concentrate on graphics -- concentrate on how it works and make it work. Don't worry about your programmer art, it's still ART! Think simple, like the following:
- Pong
- Space Shooter (Galaga, Galaxian, etc)
The good thing about these two games is that they're very interactive, they require less graphics, and would make you practice programming game logic and apply some math and physics.

Ok, that's my $0.02 for this upcoming Game Jam and I hope you would enjoy the experience! (Ok, Ben I really hope you read this). Of course, this thread welcomes other suggestions from the community here.

Welcome to IGDA!

May the bits be with you.
Andrei "CodeCalibre" Victor