how long did it took you to lear gamesald?

guilleface

hi guys i finally was able to mess with gamesalad, but its harder that i thought, some examples are icant find a defenition for words,llke interpolate, words like that, i read i lot the forums and everyone say use that, but no one explains why you need that, what it does, i really really want to learn using gamesalad,tshirtbooth offers some services but i dont know how many ours will take to learn the basic and a little more advance stuffs, what do you think guys?

Asymptoteell

like 22 seconds.

In all seriousness, though, you just need to work at it. It will take a few months to get good at it. Soon, you'll get the hang of it.

tenrdrmer

You never stop learning but I had the hang of the basics with just a few days of messing around. The advanced stuff takes some time. A good guide to learning some of the advances stuff is photics GameSalad Text book. search for it on the app store. $25 bucks but it is very good. Otherwise you will just have to spend a lot of time reading and searching the forum and wiki. Also watch those cookbook videos they are helpful.

Enjoy I look forward to see what you come up with.

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guilleface

that book looks really interesting, have any one try it?

DreamLab

I have. Its really good. you should definitely get it if you are a beginner
DL

sparkzilla

I have been using GS for just over a month for about four hours a day and I am able to understand almost all of the functions now, although I still need help on more complex logic problems.

I am not a programmer so I started by watching all of TshirtBooth's videos and reading all the how-tos on the wiki. I made the original demo for my game in about 10 minutes but it has taken longer to refine the gameplay and improve graphics and add more enemies.

I searched for answers on the forum for any questions I had. If I could not find the answer already I posted a problem and it was generally solved within a few hours (while I worked on something else).

I have almost completed my game and would not have been able to do it as fast in any other system.

__________________

Coming Soon!: Sweepr

quantumsheep

tshirtbooth said:
Im still learning and i have been using GS for a year and a half

cheers

Same here, but I've been using it *slightly* longer!

What I did (and bear in mind we didn't have all the resources we do now!) is go through every behaviour. Each one has a description on it, which tells you what it does, basically!

Then I looked at the asteroids template. I worked out how to move something with button presses from that. The basics, in other words!

Then I just started little experiments. Could I spawn enemies? How often? Could I get a score working etc etc

Be patient, experiment, and have fun! The best way to learn

QS

ozboybrian

I've been using it since January the 7th this year.
There is a lot I know, it suprises me the things I do know.

But there is a lot I do not know.

I wonder if I should get this logics book for $25? Or is that for people who are reallllly new to it?

Anyone got a link? Might get it some time.

tenrdrmer

If your talking about photics book. I'd recommend it. It has a lot of good information in it for both new and advanced users. Just search the app store for GameSalad text book and it should come up. it's only viewable on iphone/ipad/ipod touch though.

idoistuff

I don't know what half the crap means either, but I just try using it.. Interpolate seems to me like you can change an attribute to another value.

like if you had an attribute called "score" and it was at 130 you could use interpolate to change it from 130 to any number (1, 10, 30489, 20, whatever) which makes it easier then using a "change attribute" behaviour.

I could be wrong (PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I AM) but thats what I get out of the description.

MotherHoose

your computer has a dictionary or Right click on any word > Look Up in Dictionary ... to get a brief description... if the content of the little box isn't clear, you can click where it says more...
and in your GS Editor every time you click on a behavior...it gives a brief description below it.

Interpolate is defined as insert (something) between fixed points... as with all definition it can be broadened... in our usage it becomes move and show movement or change between two points/values... actor/attribute starts where it is and goes to where you tell it to at the speed you select... that is smooth movement.

After you watch some videos ... and play around with demoes and the editors... and read some Wikis ... you start your project and basically learn what you need to know to make it work...trying out things and researching for more help when needed.

for each person ... learning time is different... but, don't be daunted by those who do it well... they had to learn it too...

Laugh at your mistakes... Applaud your successes... and try to enjoy the experience!

consider your learning as playing a RPG/Adventure game...
Here you are in the kingdom of GS...
with 3 main areas to explore: scene Editor, actorEditor, previewEditor
and many side quest like GS Viewer and the AppleDeveloper land.
you design the quest for each project
you earn your gems by mastering the skills
you have to fight the monsters of difficult/bad coding...
and when you have enough skills and have conquered the monsters in your project ... you get some real goodies!

replay of the game is phenomenal... cause you get to continue with all previously earned gems.

MH

Photics

I've been using GameSalad for about a year. I'm still learning some new tricks. Just yesterday... wow... I created such a realistic effect for BOT. After I got it working correctly, I just stared at it. I mesmerized by the beauty. I was like... I made that with GameSalad?!

Here's a link to The Unofficial GameSalad Textbook.
http://itunes.apple.com/app/an-unofficial-gamesalad-textbook/id409726843

I didn't have my textbook, heh, so it took me about 6 months to master the software. Being a master of game development is something else though. Even after you learn all about the behaviors, knowing what to do with them is something else. I think that's why my book is so popular. It explains the basics, and then it explains how to build on that information. The complete process — from idea to the iTunes app store — is covered.

It's also why I think GameSalad is great software. It lets you focus more on good game design, rather than complicated code.

Nachoz

trial and error and regarless if you know every rule and aspect theres allways gona be somthing to learn as people evolve the way they use it like any other tool

Emrys

My problem is the large gaps between when I can fire up the Gamesalad. Makes it much harder. The more you play/work with it the faster and more you learn.

The Unofficial GameSalad Textbook - Big Thumbs UP. VERY helpful.

jonmulcahy

I went from 0 knowledge to creating and releasing z is for zombie in about 6 weeks.

jpmurph

Tshirtbooth "gamesalad cookbook" series on YouTube is like a mini degree in gamesalad. Took me a little over a month to publish my first game, with the help of thoose vids.

LumpApps

If you know some scripting it is easy. i did Basic on a commodore 64 back in the days and this is very simular. Even easier because of the gui.
I'm also used to applescript and live my life with if, then and else in my head that might help