I have this very cool project in my mind, so I'm motivated into learning a programming language, so I can develop games maybe sell it
So, in my project, I want to create this game where you are a demon buster, but you can get demons to join your side and fight alongside you, like Shin Megami Tensei series, the skill system will be like Shin Megami Tensei: IMAGINE where you raised expertises by exhaustingly using them, combining them also unlocks chain expertises. But in my game, you'll be able to furthur combine them, like magus + engineer makes the alchemist (this is only a starting thought, more will come)Also it'll be a side-scrolling, 2d game, with a combat system similar to Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow(GBA)/Symphony of the Night(PS1), but I want to build a skill system also similar to IMAGINE, with cooldown and incatation times, launching spells and stuff.
I started looking at GameMaker, but it feels like it just doesn't meet my needs. Because I want to release updates periodically (my objective is to make this game online), putting everything into a single stand-alone file just doesn't seem to be the right way, and also I want to make different looks for every part of where equipment goes (my original project is head(hat), top(suit), bottom(pants), shoes, and gloves(armsband), then neck, earring(2), ring(4) will stay hidden), withouth having to create different sprites for every combination of equpiment.
What programming language would be ideal for me to learn?

Welcome to the forums!



There is no one single answer to that. There's more to decide upon for your game than the game play and graphics and stuff -- like, what platform(s) do you want to target.

That said, if you haven't done a whole lot of programming, I am inclined to recommend learning C# and getting a hold of XNA Game Studio (both of which are free for most purposes) from Microsoft. The programs it can make will run on Windows desktop systems (at least, as long as they are relatively modern versions of Windows), the XBox 360, and Windows Phone 7. You can also sell your completed product on XBox Live. Since you indicated that you want to sell your games, that would possibly be the best route to get on your feet with.

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What most people don't understand about "enlightenment" is that it is not an end-goal; but where you find yourself just before taking a new "first step."

Programming is hard. Programming video games is especially hard. I'm talking about years of study here. You need to stop and think about what are your long term goals.

If you don't intend to do programming as a profession, I would recommend that you not learn programming. There are tools out there for non-programmers who are interested in building games.

If you intend to some day be a professional programmer, any language can get the job done. Pick a language that you feel will be most valuable to you years from now. Personally I think this would be a language like Java or C#.

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Heard in #gpwiki: <wzl> is there some serious grammar fail in your line or am i just too intelligent for your logic

It depends on the language and the scope of the project.

I made a "guess the number" game when I was only about 5 or 6 years old in Spectrum Basic.

It was only about 5-10 lines of code.

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I ain't pushing no moon buttons.

Aah deja vu

It's been a year since the day I asked this question. Even though I know a bit about programming now, I am still a noob so if I get anything wrong please tell me.

Like sdw said c# and java are great C based programming languages. They are way simpler than C++! (no kidding)

Or you might look into interpreted programming languages like python, ruby etc. They got a much easier syntax than others. (but maybe you'd like the conventional syntax)

And since you want to make an online game, you might wanna take a peek at web scripting languages like JavaScript, Action-script(flash) and Silver-light. (cause connecting to the internet are way easier on browsers)

Whatever you choose, getting a tutorial to programming languages is a cinch these days.

Depends on the definition of online. Browser games are best done in these languages (as well as Java), but for a peer-to-peer multi-player game, it's usually easier to employ other means being that browsers tend to just cause problems when it comes to P2P networking.

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What most people don't understand about "enlightenment" is that it is not an end-goal; but where you find yourself just before taking a new "first step."