Creating A Casual Game Engine

[CrashTest]

I am very interested in making my first game engine and would like some input on how difficult people think it would be for someone who is somewhat of a novice at programming to make an engine similar to that used in Cosmic Stacker ( http://www.realarcade.com/game?gameid=cosmicstacker&tps=ambient_ ) and Teddy Factory ( http://www.realarcade.com/game?gameid=teddyfactory&tps=ambient_ ).

I have been tinkering with C++ off an on since the mid 90's, but have never gotten around to completing an entire project. I have a small framework for The Legend Of Zelda I made in high school, and some mostly complete small desktop applications. I have also done some work with C# and XHTML, but as much as I love using C# it is completely unfeasible to distribute a casual game that requires the end user to go through the .NET install as well.

I have the help of someone who has actually studied CS and recently graduated from WSU, but he decided he does not like programming so will not be a resource I can always go to for help.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[svero]

I guess it depends on your goal. If your goal is to make a game and you want a solid engine then just use ptk or the popcap engine. To make something like popcaps eninge from scratch and have it be robust and bug free is actually a pretty difficult time consuming job, so unless you want to do it for academic reasons (like the joy of learning game programming say :-)) there's no point trying to reinvent that wheel.

[PoV]

...there's no point trying to reinvent that wheel.
Kasual Kit! (http://www.kasualkit.com/)

:D

[Frozen In Ice]

Kasual Kit! (http://www.kasualkit.com/)



Now Mike... he's new here... have a heart :)

Ah heck, why not? Go for it! :D ;) :p

[whisperstorm]

Even though it was fake, I'd still have bought it (it it had been real). Perhaps when XNA comes out someone might get inspired :)

With regards to making a game engine - whatever you set your mind to - take it fully to completion. I've learned that myself recently that it matters less about what specifically you are doing and more that you take it to a fully complete app/site/project.

[Brian A. Knudsen]

I think gamemaker.nl is excellent for prototyping casual games and anything 2d. It doenst even require coding for starters

best regards
brian

[CrashTest]

Thanks for all of the input. Part of the reason I asked the question as such is that while I am not experienced enough to just sit down and start cranking out an engine, I also didn't know what kits were available to help me tinker with making a game either. I honestly do love programming and the challenge / problem solving involved, paired with the feeling of accomplishment from making such a thing would be a reward in itself, but I also would not be opposed to just using an already available kit simultaneously just to get that first game made. I have a concept already put together so the rapid development of using something existing would be nice.

I have a friend fresh out of college that is going through interview loops at MS for testing positions, but has been told he needs to “brush up” on his coding skills so making one from scratch with his help could benefit us both. Know any places for game-specific code samples and examples? C++ examples are all over the net, but I haven’t found any good game specific ones yet.