how to start making html5 games

[ebraheeemz]

Hi guys

i'm php programmer, i decide to move to game developing

unfortinately i don't know where to start

and i decide to take your advice, and i have a question i hope to found the answer here

what is the best way for developing browser games. learn javascript, then programm the game with pure javascript and html5 from scratch

or using framework like phaser

 

thanks in advance, and sorry my english is bad

 

 

 

[d13]

what is the best way for developing browser games. learn javascript, then program the game with pure javascript and html5 from scratch

or using framework like phaser

I suggest you start with pure JavaScript and HTML5 from scratch.

That's the best way to learn the low level details, and understand the basic problems you'll need to solve.

Then when you feel confident that you have a grasp of JavaScript and HTML5, start using a framework like Phaser.

[Deban]

There is no best way.

 

It really depends on a lot of factors, like the group you work with, your experience and even your tastes.

 

One of the important things is: why do you want to make games?

For example, if you just want to create a specific game that you have in mind, Construct 2 will probably be a good ally.

If you want to learn about the technology, and how games are made, you will be better reading some books.

If you want to make money with games, you will probably be better with an engine.

And so on, and on.

 

 

To make you a recommendation, we will need more information in what your goal is.

But anyway, some of the options are (but are not limited to):

-The pure theoretical. If you have more a curiosity approach, you could probably be happy reading some tutorials on the web.

-The game of my dreams approach. In this case you don't care about technical things, you just want to make the game. For this I will recommend Construct 2.

I ran out of imagination for approaches.

-You can use javascript and create everything from scratch. Really good if you want to learn how all the things works and how everything is done. Pretty suicidal if you just want to make games, you will be reinventing the wheel time and time again.

-You can use a framework. That means there a lot of tools already made for you that you can use. But at the same time there isn't any methodology that you must use, you can do it the way you like.

-Yo can use an engine. Not only lots of tools, but the interconnection of the tool are already done and there is a way to solve things that is already created. If the way fits with your needs and feels comfortable it will be all you need.

[ebraheeemz]

thanks guys your answers give me some points, but i still cant found my start point.

i have some games in my head now and i want to learn to make these games

most games in my head is online multiplayer, and other is just single player, all games is 2d

one example of what i want to make is game like "pop cap",

i want to make this The main source of my livelihood

[Deban]

If you can't decide where to start, the worst that you can do is procrastinate.

 

You can pick up something and make your game with it, if you don't like it when you finish your game you can change your tool, but you will have a finished game.

That doesn't work for me, but works for a lot of people. Other thing you can do, is make small experimental games in different platforms, like a breakout clone. And that way you will know a lot faster what you like, but you won't have any finished game.

I recommend trying this:

Construct 2. Will give you a pretty good senses of how to think in order to make a game.

Unity 3D. A lot of people seems to really love it and say it's really easy and fast. I can't understand why, but different people, different ways.

Phaser. Contains all the tools to make your games but no longer holds your hand.

Pixi. Total freedom, total responsibility.

 

The common wisdom say start small, here you have an example of a really really simple mmo and as you can see its a LOT of work.

 

 

Making games is pretty easy, making good games is hard work.

Games are a lot more than the sum of its parts. In a game everything come together to form a specific aesthetic and a experience for a living human being behind the screen. And even then, probably different persons will have different experiences.

[harrywatson]

Ah now if you've done some PHP code that's a good start - me too.

Some people have said javascript is harder to learn. I agree.

 

I used a basic book on javascript, and a great book by David Geary

 

http://corehtml5canvas.com/

 

If you can't get the book - all the examples are online.

it's pretty hard core 'code'. But will show how javascript

relates to the canvas element.

 

Frameworks are a fantastic way to get quicker at focusing

your JS on games. As well as the frameworks above posted

by Deban there is Createjs.  http://www.createjs.com/

 

I started with the books without any frameworks and that

helped me decide on a framework and learn JS at the same time.

 

I'm just new at this as well - but one year ago I knew no JS.

 

http://momogames.altervista.org/

 

good Luck

 

'if,  else,

[ebraheeemz]

thanks guys, i decide to start with phaser, i need to focus on my game idea rather than writng the code from scratch

and thanks again your answersw helped me

[Fricken Hamster]

JS isn't much harder, just a lot sillier.

If you know PHP you can do JS just by reasoning it out and looking up the documentation.

[TheRealCutterSlade]

Don't know if this i still an issue for you, but for me Pixi.js helped a lot in understanding HTML5/Javascript development. It is a very lightweight engine, sorts of a renderer. 

Coming from the C++/Windows-GameDev world It helped me to find answers to questions like: 

- basic work flow 

- basic code flow of a javascript program 

- classes/encapsulation, javascript best practises

 

Sample programs are short and simple, all relevant code is in the html-file.

Good luck!

[d13]

Don't know if this i still an issue for you, but for me Pixi.js helped a lot in understanding HTML5/Javascript development. It is a very lightweight engine, sorts of a renderer. 

The nice thing about Pixi is that it does the rendering and gives you a scene graph (sprites and groups).

Those are the hardest and least fun things to code from scratch, so you can just start making games right away.

Then just add extra components like sound (Wad.js, Howler) particle effects (Proton) and tweening (Tween.js) when you need them.

Unlike a complete game framework, Pixi doesn't make silent assumptions about the kind of game it thinks you're trying to make, so you have a lot of freedom and flexibility to develop your own style.

[Aurium]

You may also read this post: http://www.html5gamedevs.com/topic/368-learning-to-write-good-javascript-resources-for-beginners/

[JessC]

Hi guys

i'm php programmer, i decide to move to game developing

unfortinately i don't know where to start

and i decide to take your advice, and i have a question i hope to found the answer here

what is the best way for developing browser games. learn javascript, then programm the game with pure javascript and html5 from scratch

or using framework like phaser

 

thanks in advance, and sorry my english is bad

 

Hi there!

 

I wish you the best of luck on your journey! It seems as if you've gotten some wonderful resources, and I agree- Phaser is absolutely wonderful. Take your time, be patient, and like anything, it's not supposed to be easy. So, keep on going!

[Jethin]

This thread will really help me. Thank you ebraheeemz, for this.

It will definitely help me as well to get a good start.