How do I start making a new game from scratch?

[Tyde]

If you've already seen or played The Beginners Guide, you can see my vision. I've already been recommended starting by learning Java, but how would I would like to continue use source to create something similar to the levels from the game? All I know to start in Source is to begin modding which I still am not educated on.

I want to start producing small singular level games. I was inspired by the game The Beginners Guide. Beautiful game and I basically wanna do what Coda did in the game. Simple game without too much level mechanics, but somehow outputs much meaning.

I want to build in source in a way that allows me to make single level games that can be finished into small files that can be opened without or with minimal other thins. Someone I can just throw onto a small flash drive and quickly throw onto another computer. Also, I need it to be quickly accessible to mac users. Also minimal to no coding required if possible. Never made anything before this.

I just need something to help me start, I'm confused on how to do anything other than start modding which is not of my wishes.

Even if you just read all to this I really appreciate it.

[Please]

I would suggest learning the Hammer editor, and watch and do yourself every single tutorial on youtube you find. Hammer isn't that complicated, and you can do quite a few things with it, if you are willing to learn all nooks and krannys. Tis includes instant and seemless level transition, placing models etc... Time is your ally here m8, you gotta invest lots of hours if you choose source to start modding. And modding is bassically the 'baby steps' you'll need for the future. Perhaps find another engine that uses java? since you already know it. In source you don't need coding to make a mod, but it is highly recommended you know microsoft C+ (or was it C#?)

You can bassically make a fun playable 'mod' with just mapping, without making huge changes to the actuall game, which is a good thing because it teaches you level design and whatnot.

This page is a good read: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Making_a_Mod Read it carefully!!!

Next you want to start making a game template so you can start messing with stuff: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Source_SDK_2013 (Once compiled and whatnot you can copy it to your flash drive, and paste it into sourcemods folder, it'll pop up on steam. Don't forget the folder in C:\ though)

Once you got this part done, all you gotta do is open up hammer, set it up for your mod, and start making levels, youtube has tons of tutorials, so i suggest starting with that, Hammer is the easiest mapping editor out there in my opinion, so no worries.

I'll just repeat, time is your ally here, be patient and you'll make a fun mod yet. And get the idea of what it is all about. These links 'll get you started. (Note, some things in the valve dev community is outofdate and obselete! and might make you get a serious headache, but there are tons of updated content on the web to help you along.)

Understanding level design and its options and limitations quickly teaches you about the source engine and what it can and cannot do. The key is to understand how it works, this way you'll be much more productive. Now, if you don't want to map... You can copy hl2 maps, and change its files (Model Textures etc...), its a lesser form of 'modding' in my opinion, but, its something...

[Tyde]

Originally posted by I Ancient / Be patient pls:

I would suggest learning the Hammer editor, and watch and do yourself every single tutorial on youtube you find. Hammer isn't that complicated, and you can do quite a few things with it, if you are willing to learn all nooks and krannys. Tis includes instant and seemless level transition, placing models etc... Time is your ally here m8, you gotta invest lots of hours if you choose source to start modding. And modding is bassically the 'baby steps' you'll need for the future. Perhaps find another engine that uses java? since you already know it. In source you don't need coding to make a mod, but it is highly recommended you know microsoft C+ (or was it C#?)

You can bassically make a fun playable 'mod' with just mapping, without making huge changes to the actuall game, which is a good thing because it teaches you level design and whatnot.

This page is a good read: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Making_a_Mod Read it carefully!!!

Next you want to start making a game template so you can start messing with stuff: https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Source_SDK_2013 (Once compiled and whatnot you can copy it to your flash drive, and paste it into sourcemods folder, it'll pop up on steam. Don't forget the folder in C:\ though)

Once you got this part done, all you gotta do is open up hammer, set it up for your mod, and start making levels, youtube has tons of tutorials, so i suggest starting with that, Hammer is the easiest mapping editor out there in my opinion, so no worries.

I'll just repeat, time is your ally here, be patient and you'll make a fun mod yet. And get the idea of what it is all about. These links 'll get you started. (Note, some things in the valve dev community is outofdate and obselete! and might make you get a serious headache, but there are tons of updated content on the web to help you along.)

Understanding level design and its options and limitations quickly teaches you about the source engine and what it can and cannot do. The key is to understand how it works, this way you'll be much more productive. Now, if you don't want to map... You can copy hl2 maps, and change its files (Model Textures etc...), its a lesser form of 'modding' in my opinion, but, its something...

Wow, this one comment really helped. After many started discussions, this one told me how to actually start using Source. Thank you and I will listen to your words carefully. Just Wondering if I were to start using hammer, how easily could I just open it on a new computer without halflife installed? Without SDK if it is possible? Without steam even? And also is it easily Convertable to Mac?

Basically I have all the time in the world, however, my plan was to make many simple leveled games ( or mods ). I wanted to present them to my Gf, telling her a story. All the individual levels/ mods all connecting together to tell one story. As said, kinda like the works from The Beginners Guide. She uses Mac and doesn't even have Steam on it. I would like for it to be easily accessible to her. The idea was for her to receive a flash drive with all the levels/mods. She opens one up on her Mac and it opens up without the need of installation of anything. Even if it means each game is opened up in a browser. A friend just recommended flash games, but I've heard it's only 2d and you must create everything from scratch.

Btw it is C#.

[Please]

Use one mod template, with different levels instead. Each templete is like 2.6 Gigs. Isn't as efficient, instead, you could make it just like Half-life 2, with different level image icons, and make em blurred so your gf doesn't know what it is about ;) (just a tip!)

You need to carry your mod or half-life 2 with you (Or both not sure, 5.2 gigs total) You can use hammer editor without steam, but the game and the files need to be on your computer! (Or models and everything wont show up, and you cant test your things without). If you are gonna play on a mac, you need to carry a mac os hl2 with you ( Or mod that supports it). Since its for her, you need to find a way to make it so it runs on Mac OS (kind of dificult if your using windows, but maybe you can make the mod support both, dont think people here can help you with that specifically, only veterans).

Here's how you can approach it, make the mod support MacOS, (and hl2 too preferably, but you can decompile all the hl2 files and dump it in your mod too, make it stand alone, which is ideal.) Build your mod with the template to your liking, once done put in flash drive, with a readme.txt file telling her how to do it. (And yes you need steam to play regardless!) Like 4 or 5 steps in total if depending on how you do it.

Install steam
Share your games with her account, or, install tf2 (And thus the need to make your game standalone)
Make her install it (Any source game if your mod is standalone)
and lastly put the mod folder in sourcemods folder inside steam folder.
restart steam
play.

Not that bad right?

If you got hl2 installed or tf2, hammer can be found in the /bin directory (Only start mapping from there! Source sdk is broken!)

Well i mean, you could make a puzzle game or something, retexture everything and add textures, thats good, its not for scratch (well kind off-ish) or something else entirely! (Don't think fps is fun for her, maybe?)

Hope this helped you m8, just follow tutorials and steps, and you'll do fine. G
ood luck!

[Tyde]

Originally posted by I Ancient / Be patient pls:

Use one mod template, with different levels instead. Each templete is like 2.6 Gigs. Isn't as efficient, instead, you could make it just like Half-life 2, with different level image icons, and make em blurred so your gf doesn't know what it is about ;) (just a tip!)

You need to carry your mod or half-life 2 with you (Or both not sure, 5.2 gigs total) You can use hammer editor without steam, but the game and the files need to be on your computer! (Or models and everything wont show up, and you cant test your things without). If you are gonna play on a mac, you need to carry a mac os hl2 with you ( Or mod that supports it). Since its for her, you need to find a way to make it so it runs on Mac OS (kind of dificult if your using windows, but maybe you can make the mod support both, dont think people here can help you with that specifically, only veterans).

Here's how you can approach it, make the mod support MacOS, (and hl2 too preferably, but you can decompile all the hl2 files and dump it in your mod too, make it stand alone, which is ideal.) Build your mod with the template to your liking, once done put in flash drive, with a readme.txt file telling her how to do it. (And yes you need steam to play regardless!) Like 4 or 5 steps in total if depending on how you do it.

Install steam
Share your games with her account, or, install tf2 (And thus the need to make your game standalone)
Make her install it (Any source game if your mod is standalone)
and lastly put the mod folder in sourcemods folder inside steam folder.
restart steam
play.

If you got hl2 installed or tf2, hammer can be found in the /bin directory (Only start mapping from there! Source sdk is broken!)

Well i mean, you could make a puzzle game or something, retexture everything and add textures, thats good, its not for scratch (well kind off-ish) or something else entirely! (Don't think fps is fun for her, maybe?)

Hope this helped you m8, good luck!

Thank you, however, I don't think this is possible. Her mac has many restrictions. Installing steam just isn't a possibility. I'm looking into some sort of way to open up games in browser. I honestly don't know anymore. Thanks for the dedicated help, though. Honest help m8.

[holly’s tea]

My personal tip:
Don't make a source game from scratch.
Gather skills by making Cs:go or Portal 2 (or if you want to Half Life) maps - Watch tutorials for making Cs:go maps (maybe 3Kliks) - release your maps to get feedback

When you think you have all the skills you need, start sketching ideas - look up a mod guide (mods are more friendly than games for source engine) and slowly build your game.. It's a long process though..

[MightyMawse]

guys i figured it out https://steamcommunity.com/app/211/discussions/0/152390014781266228/