same old question but with

[sionco]

specifics...

Hi, I've been reading these forums for quite a while, but have only decided to register now.

First a bit about me:
I have always loved making games, my first experience was with Klick & Play on Windows 95.
A few years later I went to University and had three years struggling with Java.
After that I used a copied versions of BlitzMax and Blitz3D, which I had started to get to use, and started to make the game which I describe below.

During these years I had moslty been Windows based but, often installing and uninstalling different distro's of Linux in that time.

But finally, I have put my confidence in Ubuntu as my main desktop as it seems to work to all my needs.

Now my question
But I'm stuck as too which programming language to use. WAIT DON'T KILL ME for asking the same old question., I have specific needs:

My current aim is to make some kids education software for a language school here, so nothing to difficult, basically manipulation of pictures and animation with basic data loading (ie: words, questions), so nothing to difficult.
And after that my ultimate aim is to make a simple sports management game (like bygfoot) but for another sport, mainly for my pleasure.

For this, I want a language that I can program in Linux, yet can be ported to work on Windows.

Also, I don't want it to be too difficult, I've tried some C++ but I think it's too difficult for me right now, and the fact I want some quick development time. and there is no way I'm going to go back to Java.

I've tried little bit of the tutorials for Freebasic and the first tutorial for Pygame of Python, but I'm stumped as to which one to follow, and which one would be best for my needs.

thanks

[Zootropo]

I would suggest Python.

I see that you are from Spain, so you can take a look at these posts explaining what is Python and why you should use it:

http://mundogeek.net/archivos/2008/01/10/%c2%bfque-es-python/
http://mundogeek.net/archivos/2008/01/11/%c2%bfpor-que-python/

Those are part of a book I wrote called Python para todos which is licensed under Creative Commons. You may be interested:
http://mundogeek.net/tutorial-python/

[sionco]

I would suggest Python.

I see that you are from Spain, so you can take a look at these posts explaining what is Python and why you should use it:

http://mundogeek.net/archivos/2008/01/10/%c2%bfque-es-python/
http://mundogeek.net/archivos/2008/01/11/%c2%bfpor-que-python/

Those are part of a book I wrote called Python para todos which is licensed under Creative Commons. You may be interested:
http://mundogeek.net/tutorial-python/

thanks, that looks a good read for bed, I'm actually welsh, so first language is english, but I do live in Spain, I will have a read of those.

[sionco]

I have read the discussions on different forums of the advantages and disadvantages of python, would there be any disadvantages of using it for what I'm trying to do, for example do you think speed would be a problem? for me, for example loading a drawn background and a couple of moving images on the screen?

[pmasiar]

My current aim is to make some kids education software for a language school here, so nothing to difficult, basically manipulation of pictures and animation with basic data loading (ie: words, questions)

so GUI? GUI is **always** hard.

If you read sticky FAQ, you certainly noticed couple of discussion about programming for kids? Which one is relevant to you?

GameMaker is the simplest GUI to make games - 10 years old can handle it. Windows only, but see my sig for project to create Linux clone ;-)

SmallTalk clones like Squeak/Scratch http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scratch_programming_language might be worth a look if all you want is simple animation and noises.

[sionco]

GameMaker is the simplest GUI to make games - 10 years old can handle it. Windows only, but see my sig for project to create Linux clone ;-)
I used a bit of Game Maker, but found it a bit restritive, even with the GML and it's windows only, thats why I moved to Blitz (which I guess I enjoyed) -i'd like to make some that work on linux as well. and something that will be useful if I want to make some small games for myself, like i mentioned in my first post



SmallTalk clones like Squeak/Scratch http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scratch_programming_language might be worth a look if all you want is simple animation and noises.
thanks, it's more than that, ie small mini games.

So, I'm thinking Python and Pygame.
ps good luck with your game creation software

[cmay]

python.
Frebasic is not so cool to use on linux but still very cool on Freedos.:)

[Zootropo]

I have read the discussions on different forums of the advantages and disadvantages of python, would there be any disadvantages of using it for what I'm trying to do, for example do you think speed would be a problem? for me, for example loading a drawn background and a couple of moving images on the screen?

Python is slower than lower level languages like C or C++, of course, but you won't have any problems, as you are not going to write Gears of War 2 :P

[sionco]

Python is slower than lower level languages like C or C++, of course, but you won't have any problems, as you are not going to write Gears of War 2 :P

gears of war, no, to easy. my first game is going to be a MMORPG with hundreds of different planets each with realistically simulated eco-systems and populations..

but seriously, that's good to know.
I've looked over the basic tutorials to python, and coming from a bit of java and blitz, it was understood very quickly, so now going to play around with pygame.