Aah... Thats not a bad idea, to start with something easy. Back then, when I started out - we are now entering the dark, misty past of mine, back when everything was better - I made a FPS. Ah yes. It didn't teach me a thing about programming, though, because I was following the tutorial (back then, I either was stupid, my english was horrible or the tutorial was not so great, or maybe a combination of those) and didn't do much on my own. Yeah, back then, I was certain I'd become a leveldesigner.
Hahahah! A leveldesigner! Me! Get it? Hah! Oh man, thats comedy gold. The very idea...!
If you don't want to learn programming (because you want to become a leveldesigner
just like me, only, you know, you actually become one and don't turn into a "programmer"), then an FPS might be a good choice because the Templates work best for those. Uuuh... or do they? Honestly, its been a while since I used them. Like, A4. ..... Okay, so, ignore this advice
The point is, when you just start out, you can probably do any genre (besides racing, as this does present unique and not-so-easy challenges, what with all that physics!). Your first game won't be that great, anyway (sorry
). At least, it wasn't for me, and I even made a thread in which I showed that game to all you guys. However, due to the evil forces of this forum, it seems that it has been killed. Why? It was such a cool post
Why did you kill it, Conitec? Did you do it, Doug? It was you, right? You sat down with an evil grin and then, you clicked on that button and... and it was... Nooooooooooooooooo!
Ahem. Where was I? Yes. Do a FPS, an RPG or whatever you want. Even if you won't finish it, you will certainly learn something. I think it is better if you try to create an RPG and fail, but have fun while doing it, then doing an FPS and maybe even finishing it, but thinking "man, I wish I would be creating the next Final Fantasy right now". Do whatever you want! You now have an engine right there! The world is yours! (Its not... its really not.). In most genres, you'll find a somewhat easy startingpoint. You DO make this FinalFantasy-RPG? Well, then try making the movement on the overworld/dungeon-map! It will teach you about collision, vectors and many, fun things! You do want to make that shooter? Well, you could certainly start with movement again. Etc.
So... do what you think is fun and what you want to do. You won't finish a good game, probably, but you'll have fun doing it.
Or try to make a minigame. I'm a minigamemaniac. I did a whole bunch of them (see my blog). And they were all
awesome. So if you have a nice idea for a small minigame, then do that! These are easier to finish, which give you a nice motivationbonus. They are short enough that you are able to enter the last phase of "just applying the finishing touches... OH GOD NO WHAT KIND OF BUG IS THAT I WILL NEVER FINISH THIS". So its a good learning experience all around.
Then, you're just missing the organization of a large project. And if you can do that, then you're better then most people - at least, as far as gamedesign is concerned.
The big rule is: Have fun!
I'm still kinda sad that my wonderful post is gone. It's just not that one, either. I once made weird comics, which are also lost.
Okay, so that ones for the better.
):