Learning Gamesalad
The_Gamesalad_Guru
Member Posts: 9,922
Although Gamesalad is an easier to use tool than coding, it still takes a lot of effort and learning to use it in a powerful way. Yes, in a few minutes in the software, one can easily create an actor and drag in a spaceship make it move around et… but to really harness the power of the software it takes months of dedicated learning using the vast resources provided by Gamesalad and the many dedicated community members.
When I first started using GS, I never visited the forums, I spent months watching the videos, taking notes and experimenting with the software. I didn't try to reinvent the gaming industry with my first apps but created basic stuff as learning examples for myself. It was a progression of learning and developing until I was ready to take on building an app for public consumption. This is how I do things as I believe a self reliant disposition is the only one that will fuel one on to success.
As I watched the videos, I began to realize, when I stepped back that the videos weren't just teaching me how to make a heath bar but how to manipulate specific sections of code and attributes. For example, in making a health bar you learn how to create a specific type of attribute and learn why you use that type, integer, over a text or index attribute. It also teaches you how to shrink and grow and actor. Those of you may be saying it only shows you how to grow and actor but if you're learning the process you reconcile that by simply REVERSING the process and thereby shrink the actor. This type of learning is about how one prepares themselves for learning. As a person with two college degrees and in both I acquired a GPA of 3.96 in one and 3.55 in the other, I know first hand that academic environments do their damnedest to beat and downgrade self exploration of learning material. What they don't teach you is how to learn. If you can learn how to learn you will stand a much greater chance of success in life. So the next time you watch a video or read how to do something in GS ask yourself this simple question; "How can I apply this code or techniques to other things?" This line of thinking will begin to help you understand and self discover how to learn.
Nobody can and will do everything for you and yes it's hard work to learn things like GS but with consistent effort, thought and hard work you'll get there. It took me spending months of dedicated studying and after about 9 months I felt, to use a sports analogy, that the game slowed down for me and that I was in control of the software and fully able to develop and construct my own complex solutions to problems yet undiscovered or undocumented.
Keep working hard, have patience, no you won't change or define the game industry with your first attempts but it's a process and those who keep working the process will in the end, if they posses the talent along with the work ethic, make great games.
When I first started using GS, I never visited the forums, I spent months watching the videos, taking notes and experimenting with the software. I didn't try to reinvent the gaming industry with my first apps but created basic stuff as learning examples for myself. It was a progression of learning and developing until I was ready to take on building an app for public consumption. This is how I do things as I believe a self reliant disposition is the only one that will fuel one on to success.
As I watched the videos, I began to realize, when I stepped back that the videos weren't just teaching me how to make a heath bar but how to manipulate specific sections of code and attributes. For example, in making a health bar you learn how to create a specific type of attribute and learn why you use that type, integer, over a text or index attribute. It also teaches you how to shrink and grow and actor. Those of you may be saying it only shows you how to grow and actor but if you're learning the process you reconcile that by simply REVERSING the process and thereby shrink the actor. This type of learning is about how one prepares themselves for learning. As a person with two college degrees and in both I acquired a GPA of 3.96 in one and 3.55 in the other, I know first hand that academic environments do their damnedest to beat and downgrade self exploration of learning material. What they don't teach you is how to learn. If you can learn how to learn you will stand a much greater chance of success in life. So the next time you watch a video or read how to do something in GS ask yourself this simple question; "How can I apply this code or techniques to other things?" This line of thinking will begin to help you understand and self discover how to learn.
Nobody can and will do everything for you and yes it's hard work to learn things like GS but with consistent effort, thought and hard work you'll get there. It took me spending months of dedicated studying and after about 9 months I felt, to use a sports analogy, that the game slowed down for me and that I was in control of the software and fully able to develop and construct my own complex solutions to problems yet undiscovered or undocumented.
Keep working hard, have patience, no you won't change or define the game industry with your first attempts but it's a process and those who keep working the process will in the end, if they posses the talent along with the work ethic, make great games.
Comments
It definitely takes a lot of hard work to get somewhere, just like anywhere else in life.
If people expect everyone else to do the hard work for them then they won't get anywhere.
New to GameSalad? (FAQs) | Tutorials | Templates | Greenleaf Games | Educator & Certified GameSalad User
When I first started, I would, like @tatiang, create little "moments" with the software. Nothing monumental, but in doing so had a better feel for all the methods one can use to do any one thing. I watched all the videos, so that "That's about all you need to know about" rang in my head. The greatest unintentional disservice GS has done to the learning community is the broken forum search. 80% of what I learned came from searching the GS forums for specific issues, then following those threads. Since the forum upgrade, the search has been absolutely useless. I personally hate asking for individual answers, because I assume that the answers are out there already. But more and more I have to ask in forum, because I can't find all the past reiterations of the same question.
While I subscribe to the idea that no one should rush into building a game when learning new software, my greatest learning experience came when I finally had to publish a full working game. The detail that needs to be paid to menu, transitions, performance, and continuity is immense, and I encourage everyone here to take a really simple concept, perfect it and release it. To follow in Frying's example, don't go for the home run, when a single gets you on base.
Guru Video Channel | Lost Oasis Games | FRYING BACON STUDIOS
… open a GS project and pause the video to implement what you have seen and heard
then you will learn and retain your new knowledge!
Thanx all for great insight! … Should be mandatory reading for all newbies!
@};- MH
Don't forget that some people don't have two collage degrees. They don't know how to learn and are used to an environment where everything is handed to them.
That has nothing to do with not wanting to be independent. Some people just do not (YET) have this skill.
In my opinion some of these people should think hard before trying to be a game developer. Is it really something for me is a question they might ask themselves.
But anyone who thinks it is something for him should have a chance. Specially the young ones. Remember, when you are 15 years old most people live at home and are not used to thinking for themselves (although they often think they do). Mom and dad take care of most of their stuff.
You and me could be a great mentor for those kids. While you might not like them asking a know issue or "stupid" question there is nothing wrong with telling them they asked stupid question. That is part of their learning process too. They will think twice and try to figure stuff out on their own next time.
I have a son who was very much like this. It drove me nuts sometimes because I always was very independent, also when I was a kid. I spent hours in my room trying to figure out basic on my commodore 64 and figuring out how to play drums for example. But my son is more like a "tell me what I should do kid". Very frustrating but now that he is older (21) he is getting more independent and does a lot on his own. He had to because I learned him I am not always there.
I agree with you about the learning process. I never studied at university but I know how to learn from an early age. A big advantage but sometimes I found I learn things the wrong way. Which can be an advantage because it makes me unique but often I find I do stuff to complex. For example when I get something working in my own way and then later see a @tshirtbooth video and thnk OMG! how simple.
Cheers,
Ludwig
Lump Apps and My Assets
Guru Video Channel | Lost Oasis Games | FRYING BACON STUDIOS
I was merely (mis)using that fact to make my point that not everyone has that "advantage" of having a college brain.
How great your boy teaches you IT stuff. Mine teaches me how to play games sometimes. He is way better at that then I am.
Lump Apps and My Assets
Guru Video Channel | Lost Oasis Games | FRYING BACON STUDIOS