Chapter 1. What it Takes to be a Game Programmer

You're reading this book because you want to be a game programmer. You may not have any programming experience at all. That doesn't matter. This book shows you everything you need to know to get started. Before you finish reading this book, you'll see how to develop your own innovative games.

So what does it take to be a game programmer?

Game programming can include a wide range of skills. To be a game programmer, you must, of course, know a bit about programming. You should also know the basics of computer graphics. In addition, it helps to know how to design games. You'll learn all of these skills right here.

It also helps to be a musician and an artist. That's not really required. However, you do have to know how art and music are handled on a computer. If you've ever drawn something using the paint program that comes with Windows, you know the basics of creating art on a computer. If you know how to rip MP3s, you know how to prepare music for games. But if you've never done either of these, don't worry. I'll teach you how to handle both art and music for your games.

This chapter presents a brief overview of the most essential skills you'll need: programming, computer graphics, game design, art, and the ability to use sound and music. Because it's an overview, don't worry if you run across something that you don't understand. Everything discussed in this chapter is presented again in greater detail in later chapters.