Android Games development

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8085338

by mattwritescode • 12 years ago

5 4 12 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

I am a python developer by trade. For some time now I have wanted to produce a hobby android game. I would be interested in which tutorials you have used to get into android games programming.

I am only after 2d games development for the time being. A good tutorial would be something which could result in a a full game being developed.

owksley• 12 years ago

It's a good idea to pick a game framework first, which will shorten the tutorial considerably, since the basic Android specific stuff would likely require several tutorial of its own.

I started a few months back and chose LibGDX for my first game. Although I believe LibGDX was originally developed for Android, it also runs on the Desktop and can also be ported to iOS, which is a bonus. It is designed mostly for 2D games. It's easy to use, there's a good wiki and it's actively maintained.

Here's a tutorial for getting going on a simple game with LibGDX. https://github.com/libgdx/libgdx/wiki/A-simple-game

And here's a set of tutorials and videos for getting a LibGDX project all set up in the IDE of your choice: http://libgdx.badlogicgames.com/documentation.html

anywherenotes• 12 years ago

I would second this path. I tried doing some stuff using google SDK, and did 3 games like that. then a game in Corona, and now doing one in unity3d.

The clear benefit of doing something using plain native development is you get a binary much smaller in size. However with a game engine you will spend more time on game and less on low level issues.

mattwritescode• 12 years ago

Just to give me options what other frameworks would you recommend? Are there any you would say to keep clear of.

jason_slack• 12 years ago

Cocos2d-x is a good game engine. Targets all mobile platforms, plus desktops and Ouya, Steam, etc. (http://cocos2d-x.org)

Android Games development

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