Summer of PyGames

[Scotty]

I know we have some hopeful game developers out there who love to do game competitions, many of which are likely still in High School.  This is a competition aimed at High School developers, to develop educational based games.  Python gets a lot of attention through these sorts of competitions, be it this, or PyWeek, I even think Google hosts a competition where a lot of PyGame developers take aim.  Anywho, figured I'd post this for our High Schooler's who want to get into game development to take a look at:

http://www.summerpygames.org/

[11clock]

Hmm...Looks interesting. However, I don't make educational games. :-\

[Scotty]

Hmm...Looks interesting. However, I don't make educational games. :-\

That's the thing brother, educational isn't just math and such...  Do a game about physics or gravity, but at an elementary level.  You can throw in modern high level constructs for good games, but make it basic and simple.  The possibilities are out there, you just have to brainstorm a great game, then figure out how to make the kids think.

[Mr Pwnage]

I'd like to learn python but shit, I don't even know where to get the platform you use to compose code? Can you do it in a notepad or do you need some sort of GUI?

[Scotty]

I'd like to learn python but shit, I don't even know where to get the platform you use to compose code? Can you do it in a notepad or do you need some sort of GUI?

Notepad would work fine, although I'd recommend Notepad++ more as it provides a few added bits of functionality to help you write the code.  Python also comes with it's own IDE (called ILDE), and you can use that too.  It's very basic, but offers the basic functionality you need.  If you want to learn, there's plenty of free publications for getting started, check out this one: http://docs.python.org/tutorial/  If you have any OO experience, you should be able to pick up Python in one weekend, it's that easy.

EDIT: If you don't have any experience with OO or programming in general, check this out: http://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide

As for Pygame, which is the most popular libraries used for game development, I've yet to find any decent online extensive tutorials, not that I've had to search, since I learned from: http://www.amazon.com/Game-Programming-Line-Express-Learning/dp/0470068221/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1295986257&sr=8-2 which I would recommend to anyone who has the money to spend, it's an absolutely fantastic book.  Very thorough and complete.

EDIT #2: I've also heard that this is a great book as well for the complete programming beginner, never understood a thing about programming experience: http://www.amazon.com/Invent-Your-Computer-Games-Python/dp/0982106017/ref=pd_sim_b_2

[Mr Pwnage]

I'd like to learn python but shit, I don't even know where to get the platform you use to compose code? Can you do it in a notepad or do you need some sort of GUI?

Notepad would work fine, although I'd recommend Notepad++ more as it provides a few added bits of functionality to help you write the code.  Python also comes with it's own IDE (called ILDE), and you can use that too.  It's very basic, but offers the basic functionality you need.  If you want to learn, there's plenty of free publications for getting started, check out this one: http://docs.python.org/tutorial/  If you have any OO experience, you should be able to pick up Python in one weekend, it's that easy.

EDIT: If you don't have any experience with OO or programming in general, check this out: http://wiki.python.org/moin/BeginnersGuide

As for Pygame, which is the most popular libraries used for game development, I've yet to find any decent online extensive tutorials, not that I've had to search, since I learned from: http://www.amazon.com/Game-Programming-Line-Express-Learning/dp/0470068221/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1295986257&sr=8-2 which I would recommend to anyone who has the money to spend, it's an absolutely fantastic book.  Very thorough and complete.

EDIT #2: I've also heard that this is a great book as well for the complete programming beginner, never understood a thing about programming experience: http://www.amazon.com/Invent-Your-Computer-Games-Python/dp/0982106017/ref=pd_sim_b_2

Thank you