Beginning AGS without any experience making a game at all

[TheresaGamer]

I didn't think this belonged in the Beginner's technical questions because it wasn't a technical question. I have never created a game and do not know how to code. I heard that it takes about a week or so to learn coding for this program. How well off will I be with making a game with this program.

I am also watching this tutorial and I plan to watch all 44 videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ml_DR76Cl4&index=1&list=PL21DB402CB4DAEAEF

[Stupot]

Yep. You're on the right track, mate. Densming's videos are the way forward. Also just keep checking the manual and don't be shy to post questions in the beginner's tech forum. But try to search for your answer first. The chances are, if you're having a problem, someone already had it before and it has been dealt with in B.tech already.

Good luck

[Dadalus]

Stupot+ knows his stuff and I might give those videos a look myself.

...I heard that it takes about a week or so to learn coding for this program. How well off will I be with making a game with this program.

From personal experience (I am new to AGS myself, though I have coded in other languages) its fairly easy to get a working knowledge of using the editor and writing simple code. I have asked questions about coding and what the best approaches to are to solve certain problems and the community response was quick, helpful and above all courteous. People are more than happy to help you develop your skills. As long as you invest the time you'll get going pretty quickly.

Bear in mind that you will need a story and artwork, and the community will help you develop the skills you need for those as well (If needed.)

There will be times ahead when your tearing your hair out, but every person (and I mean EVERYONE) here has had those same moments.

Welcome and Good Luck.

[Fitz]

I had pretty much no prior experience with coding whatsoever, so when I first saw that AGS requires scripting, I thought there was no way in hell that I'd make a game. But then I binge-watched those videos in two days -- and started making my game right away. Granted, there were some things I didn't get quite right, some things I had to get used to, and more than a few new gray hairs popped up on my head (and beard) -- but time and time again I was surprised at how much I could do with AGS.

[Slasher]

Hi TheresaGamer,

welcome to the forums and to game making with the Adventure Game Studio.

Learning ags and the scripting can be a daunting task. Whilst some seem to pick it up very quickly others seem to find it mind-boggling and frustrating. We have some very good experienced scripters here that can help and of course there is plenty of help around such as the manual, ags wiki, searching the forums for answers etc etc.

Start very basic and work up using all the help you can find. Too many beginners want to 'do it all' and miss out the basics.

Baby steps until you can run with the pack: Learn to make the character walk around the room, make hotspot interactions such as when looking at a painting and the character comments about the painting etc.

Everytime you learn something useful use it in some way in your demo game, if its plausible.

It may take you a year or more to realise what ags can actually offer you.  I'm still learning after * years

Good luck and just keep learning and making games that people may want to play someday

[Gribbler]

I knew absolutely nothing about programming and I didn't even watch those videos. I read the tutorial on AGS website, analised the code of the demo game to try and figure it out. And of course I was asking tons of question on the forums technical thread for beginners. It took me six years but I finally managed to release my very own game. So yeah, it totally doable.

[Eric]

This PDF book by densming might also be helpful?

[TheresaGamer]

Wow, I didn't know that book existed. Thank you.

Also thank you to everyone her. I'm glad that I am stepping into a very friendly community.

By the way, does learning how to make a game in this program help with creating games in general? Like if you wanted to switch programs would your knowledge of AGS help?

[Cassiebsg]

I would say, yes, even if not a direct help with writing a game in another language. But you don't just learn to code in a language, you get to learn also how to program and how the computer "thinks". So I guess, once you start thinking like a computer when writing the code so it behaves like you want it, then that experience will hold on and be carried on to your next stage, where ever that may lead you.

And welcome, I'm also new to the community (been her since March) and going slowly with my game (mostly cause I really don't have that much free time, but I think it's a lot of fun).

[Technocrat]

While it was quite straightforward to start making an adventure game with zero understanding of scripting, I found that making a non-adventure (in my case, a tetris-y puzzle game) was a good way of getting to grips with how things work in terms of machinery.

[Monsieur OUXX]

@Theresagamer : My advice: Start your game using a TEMPLATE.

Beginners often start off using the AGS bare game, and then they realize they'd like all the small commodities such as a custom "Save" window, a proper "Quit" button, a custom gui (e.g. : right-click to watch an object, left-click to interact...), etc. But then they've already started making the game and don't want to start over, it's too late.

Pro-tip: If you don't know what template to use or where to find it, first try to find the name of the template matching the gameplay you have on mind (e.g. "BASS" template, "9-verb coin", etc.).