[Question] Game Engines

[DrakeFish]

Hi there. I recently started getting interested in game development. I never really tried this before, but I would like to get into this, it's something that has been interesting me since I started programming. I have plenty of simple and complex games ideas I would like to, at least, get started on. As for the models, I'm planning just making simple models as those games will be for experimental purposes only.

I've been researching a bit about Game Engines and it seems there are some interesting ones, such as Unreal Engine, that obviously require licences. I looked at the UDK and from what I read it seems to be some advanced map editor (with more features than just map editing, that's not what I mean) in which you HAVE to code using the UnrealEd script code. I may be wrong, please tell me if I'm wrong about this .

Anyways, since I'm looking for something I would mainly use for personal experimentation, I'm asking you guys what game engines I could use. I'm mainly interested in working on a First Person (Shooter) game. I'm looking for something either free or something I could get a personal licence for for a good price.

I'm mainly looking for something I could use C++ with. Give any proposition but this will be my first choice. I don't know much about how it works when working with a game engine but I am currently reading about this =).

Thanks for any heads up about this. Linking to a website that discuss about this will do too

[Namor]

We used the Ogre API to develop our own engine. However, using existing engines... I have no idea about.
Also, if you're interested, you can use C# and the XNA framework to develop XBox 360 engines. But I think you're asking about existing engines, which I have no idea about. I think your best bet is to use the Unreal engine or the CryEngine, if you can get ahold of a license.

[DrakeFish]

After reading a bit I decided I would start using the UDK (Unreal Development Kit (Unreal Engine)) and see where that leads me. There are already a lot of things integrated within it that I can base on and use to make my tests. I decided this after realizing that there were complete games made with it and that it wasn't that different from the Unreal Engine that you get by contacting Unreal (the kit bigger companies use).

[piree]

If you don't know yet, you should try OpenGL first, it's pretty nice.

If you do want to use Game Engine, try researching Torque out.

[MysaTrade]

Yeah, UDK is the way to go. Theres so much you can do in it.. You can create all kinds of games just with the UDK itself. But yeah, you need a license if you plan to build games and sell them.

You can also create models in 3DS Max, which is free if you are an ''student''

I have some experience (not much) in the UDK, and its a powerfull tool.

[CursedOne]

Unity3D IMHO.

UNITY: Game Development Tool