Some context: So far all I’ve done has been passively watching game design analysis type videos as well as Unity implode on itself without really jumping into gamedev. I only got inspired rather recently to take the dive.
I don’t think I’ll be able to dabble with the engine just yet (busy schedule and all that), but I want to at least have some rough direction on where to go and figure the rest out myself.
My main concerns are art and programming, mostly because I have no experience for those. I do have some experience with graphic design and figma however, so its not like I’m jumping in with no skillset.
The plan I had in my head was: learn UI > create a basic visual novel > create a basic rpg game > (a few more steps) > “reasonable/realistic to make” dream game.
There are many good resources for godot. Look up gdquest, or the official docs on their site. Gamefromscratch has some godot content too, and zenva had some good courses that were included in humblebundles before (not currently, but might be again in the future).
I’ve no idea why there’s another comment suggesting f# - godot uses gdscript (its own language which is pretty easy to learn, like python), and if you don’t like that you can use other languages (but start with gdscript, it’s easiest to start with).
For game dev in general, start with opening a window, then draw something in it. Then make it move, then make it move under control of the user. Then make it so something when it hits something else (bounce off a wall or collect a coin). If you can do all that you’re in a good place to start expanding into something more interesting to you. A visual novel seems like a good first project, if you’re good with making the art and story. Good luck and have fun.
I actually learned GDScript this summer. When the Unity debacle happened, Zenva.com was running a Godot humble bundle. While the bundle doesn’t exist, you can find similar courses on Youtube. The courses were just creating simple games, like ‘Create a 2D Platformer with Godot 4’ or ‘Real-Time Strategy Game with Godot 4’. I did about half a dozen of those. That gave me the tools to understand the basic usage of GDScript as well as the Godot engine. Anything more advanced was googling my question. There’s A LOT of GDScript developers, and with it being open source the community tends to be very helpful, ime.
The missing experience in programming might be a problem. But the general direction for Godot is to start at the documentation. They have an excellent tutorial to program a simple game.
- https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/getting_started/introduction/index.html
- https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/getting_started/step_by_step/index.html
- https://docs.godotengine.org/en/stable/getting_started/first_2d_game/index.html
They also list some community tutorials later in the documentation.
Ignore me. I am wrong
Godot uses F# as a programming language so that is where I would start, look up tutorials of F# on YT or UdemyThere are some playlists on YT about making idle clicker games with Godot but those usually use Godot 3 visual coder which has been removed in Godot 4.~~One series I watched made a game in the visualiser then converted the game to F# after a bit.
https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQsiR7DILTcwfzXxkyDIyFA-XJoG39U9L~~Sorry (ok maybe not) but Godot uses an internal script that resembles Python, with optional .net bindings.
The .net bindings are c# native.
You could use f#, but if you’re still learning the ropes that’s setting yourself up to fail, since it’ll limit the use of documentation and add a high hurdle to clear
Well crap.
Happens to everyone, and kudos for being sport about it.
I have to say this is the first time I have seen anyone recommend f# for game dev, let alone godot.
Well I was wrong so feel free to ignore me.
