I just wanted to know if there is much differences btw a computer programmer and a game developer. If you are a very good computer programmer, can u create a high quality game.

Programming is programming irrespective of what you're programming. It's just that some people prefer to program stand alone desktop application while some others prefer to code game applications. That doesn't mean they can't do either if they want.

Afam4eva: Programming is programming irrespective of what you're programming. It's just that some people prefer to program stand alone desktop application while some others prefer to code game applications. That doesn't mean they can't do either if they want.

Thanks

Afam4eva: Programming is programming irrespective of what you're programming. It's just that some people prefer to program stand alone desktop application while some others prefer to code game applications. That doesn't mean they can't do either if they want.

i beg to disagree...Programming is not programming


@o.p. Game Programming aint childs play...

Javanian:



i beg to disagree...Programming is not programming


@o.p. Game Programming aint childs play...

Whether it is childs play or not does not mean that programming is not programming.

Afam4eva:
Whether it is childs play or not does not mean that programming is not programming.

Programming is NOT programming. Most of the 'programmers' i see here only know how to create database applications...

I'm not the type that knows how to argue much...Talk is cheap!..., take a crash course on game programming, graph theories, game trees, or try implementing something as simple as minimax algorithm with Alpha-beta prunning for a simple game like X and O's or even chess. Even try laying your hands on something like dijkstra's algorithm. Try creating an A.I. For any of these games, only then would you understand what i mean...Talk more of creating a more complex games like the Pro Evolution soccer you see. This isn't PHP my brother, this is basically C++ and less of JAVA.

Infact, a games programmer is a computer programmer that develops programs of games we play. It's like being a lawyer with specialization say company law or criminal law. Another is being a medical doctor. You can specialize in surgery, gynecologist or what have you but you are still a doctor. If you are a computer programmer who wants to become a games developer, you will have to learn the deeper and more mundane things of computer programming. That's what Javanian is trying to say. Infact you will need to learn difficult computer algorithms, graphics and have deeper mathematical knowledge of your programs. You just have to step up your game if you want to be a games programmer and not just a mere computer programmer. Type computer algorithms problems in google and get a feel of what I mean.

Javanian:

Programming is NOT programming. Most of the 'programmers' i see here only know how to create database applications...

I'm not the type that knows how to argue much...Talk is cheap!..., take a crash course on game programming, graph theories, game trees, or try implementing something as simple as minimax algorithm with Alpha-beta prunning for a simple game like X and O's or even chess. Even try laying your hands on something like dijkstra's algorithm. Try creating an A.I. For any of these games, only then would you understand what i mean...Talk more of creating a more complex games like the Pro Evolution soccer you see. This isn't PHP my brother, this is basically C++ and less of JAVA.

You're going off tangent...

Nobody is arguing that game programming is not advanced. But it's still programming anyways. It's still the programming idiosyncrasies that will be used. It's not as if one has to learn another programming language to be able to create game applications. It's just that some languages are usually more useful for creating some specific applications.

Javanian:

Programming is NOT programming.

'programming' != 'programming'
Now that looks like a contradiction.
Except if it means programming and programmers are in sizes.

A game developer is still a programmer.

expertfingers:
A game developer is still a
programmer.

True, but a not every 'programmer' can be a game developer...

I do both.
Game development is a multi-discipline art.

A good game is never just about coding, like most apps.
The trademark of a good game developer is one who is in tune with both the left and right side of his/her brain.

game programming is programming. a more complex form of programming though

Javanian:

Programming is NOT programming. Most of the 'programmers' i see here only know how to create database applications...

I'm not the type that knows how to argue much...Talk is cheap!..., take a crash course on game programming, graph theories, game trees, or try implementing something as simple as minimax algorithm with Alpha-beta prunning for a simple game like X and O's or even chess. Even try laying your hands on something like dijkstra's algorithm. Try creating an A.I. For any of these games, only then would you understand what i mean...Talk more of creating a more complex games like the Pro Evolution soccer you see. This isn't PHP my brother, this is basically C++ and less of JAVA.

@javanian. I have and still remain a strong admirer of yours regarding programming. However, on this post of yours, I differ slightly in order to ensure the poster and other readers properly understand d facts.

A Games Programmer is still a Programmer even though the difficulty level is certainly higher than those of a Web, Database or 'Mobile Devices' Programmer.

I can only agree more with the poster who likened it to a Medical Doctor who opted to specialize in Neurosurgery. It is widely accepted in the medical circles that Neurosurgery has a higher difficulty level than other fields like Gynaecology. Regardless, BOTH THE GYNAE and NEUROSURGEON REMAIN MEDICAL DOCTORS just as a RADIOLOGIST or PAEDIATRICIAN are also Doctors.

IMO, one area of specialisation in the same field should never be treated as superior to another. Its unethical and unhealthy to the field.

A Games Programmer is also a Programmer.

Like many irregularities in the Software field in general, easiest = better paid. That's because it all depends on how the skill serves a BUSINESS need.

I'm sure you know that an Oracle DBA will in the long run earn much higher than a skilled programmer in the common market.
Even though he has no respect in the coder underworld and is most likely "just a guy who was too unl33t to be a programmer and so finally took an Oracle certification", the guy will end up making more money than you.

Business intelligence and SAP type stuff as well. These guys make business solutions with drag and drop and configs and they make all the big(ger) bucks.

In the same way it is with a game programmer and a normal programmer. Game programming is much more intellectually involving, requiring a lot more math and a much higher algorithmic optimization awareness than a normal programmer typically requires. Yet prospects aren't good for game programmers, unless you are just doing your own thing.

Game developers are more likely to get burnt out due to certain factors. It's one of those jobs you can never do good in unless you're passionate about it because the output result is so variant vs the typical programming work.

dis peepu una dun cuum again,,una go begin talk grammar wey person no understand now

so we get good computer geeks like this for naija and owna no warn hack Airtel free mb for me??

A Programmer is someone who writes Computer Software. Doesn't matter which area you choose to "specialize" in, it still fits under the "Programming".

A video game developer is still a computer programmer (albeit under it).

For the programmer's i guess!

Just a webmaster

A game programmer to me is just a programmer who optimises his algo-sense to create game program. Actualy any programer who has passion for games can dive into game programing without much stress, because he/she has a rather gargantous knowlege of the pre-requisite concept which is simply general programming. Just my assertions oh.

Capnd143: Actualy any programer who has passion for games can dive into game programing without much stress.

i disagree!!


In other news,

Na who carry this thread come front page??

tunapawizzy: dis peepu una dun cuum again,,una go begin talk grammar wey person no understand now

you weren't forced to open and read the thread neither were u forced to comment! Hian!

We need to differentiate a scripter from a programmer. . Guess @Javanian has encountered too many scripters in her professional career.

Ok, back to the question. If you are a programmer and you have passion for game development, you will need to study more to be able to achieve that. Your programming skills will be handy for you to be able to survive the game programming phase.

"Suffice to say, a programmer is not yet a game programmer until he studies more, while a game programmer is a programmer"

hmm, as a qbasic guru

Javanian:

True, but a not every 'programmer' can be a game developer...

Actually NOT all games require intensive intellectual capabilty of Einstein.

I believe you will agree with me that 'tic-tac-toe' and 'shoot-n-kill' are also games. They are easily achievable even with VB6!

Game programming is more of Mathematics. Also, I won't agree that one area of Programming is more difficult than other area. It's about passion. For example, a typical American love game. So, most of them find any Graphics subject so easy. Not that they are better than a network script programmer or a database programmer but they love it so much and want to really know how it's working. I just understood that cos I'm taking a Graphics course in my Masters Program this semester. You have to think outside the box. Images seen in game are computer codes. They are made from simple triangles, quads and co. Game Programming is more of Mathematics. Cos, you do lot of Image Matrix Transformations to get an image animated.

OpenGL and DirectX are good for game programming.

@javanian its all d same thing....the main point is the level of abstraction and the scope of the project ....in all programming is programmin...u just need to hav passion for gaming to excell in game programming

jimtosam: Game developer is more of Mathematics. Also, I won't agree that one area of Programming is more difficult than other area. It's about passion. For example, a typical American love game. So, most of them find any Graphics subject so easy. Not that they are better than a network script programmer or a database programmer but they love it so much and want to really know how it's working. I just understood that cos I'm taking a Graphics course in Masters Program this semester. You have to think outside the box. Images seen in game are computer codes. They are made from simple triangles, quads and co. Game Programming is more of Mathematics. Cos, you do lot of Image Matrix Transformations to get an image animated.

OpenGL and DirectX are good for game programming.

OpenGL is the ONLY graphics engine anyone today should learn.
You have a much broader range and application of your skills, including scientific visualization.