How to code a game like Civilization VI?

[civilizerr]

Hello I always loved strategy games but IMO they all are missing something... Civilization and age of empires are my favorites - And I wanted to create a game similar to them but with my own inventions.

Both games are top-down 3D strategies.

So now my questions:
- in what language should I code this game?
- should i be already worried about many units in the map in same time and choosing language/coding while having this in mind?
- can I use gamemaker for that? I used it when I was younger.

Thanks! I am really bad at coding but I love games so if I could makes games then I would do my best to learn programming.. Just need some help in choosing direction.

Long live Civilization IV

 

[Almot3r]

Hi. I played AOE and it was laggy as hell lol. Don't choose a "language" because you will never finish your game if you are alone. Choose game engine instead. It speeds up the work. Game maker can do only 2D games and afaik it doesnt support multithreading. So your RTS would lag and would be 2D which not every gamer likes. If you are beginner then Unity is best choice. If you are a pro then its probably also one of best choices.. (Next to unreal, I prefer unity though). If you want a tutorial then heres a good one. Chapters are at the bottom. Its more about RPG but strategy games often have some RPG elements in it so it should be useful. If you prefer video then heres good series link.

 

[maximusvii]

Hey @civilizerr,

Check out Unity first - https://unity.com/
It's easy to get into, there are a lot of tutorials and community around it. And it doesn't cost anything until after you earn $100k from that game.

The code you will write while using Unity is in C#.

If you want to get better at programming I can recommend watching this free courseware and book. Its a bit hard, but the guy knew his stuff.
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electri...computer-programs-spring-2005/video-lectures/
https://web.mit.edu/alexmv/6.037/sicp.pdf

Worrying about how many units at this stage is premature. If you are serious about building this game, just take little steps. Build one thing at a time, it doesn't have to be optimal at first, and you'll be making plenty of mistakes along the way. You can always come back and revisit early code and make it better, but focusing on getting right first time will prevent you from making any progress. So baby steps.

I just released my own game that I built by myself - https://store.steampowered.com/app/1139680/Pixamal_Zoo/. So that's why I feel I can answer a little bit.

Hope this helps.

 

[PPQ_Purple]

It all depends on what your end goal is. If you want to create a game relatively quickly and efficiently I second unity as a recommendation. If you want to have fun with the project but spend 20 years developing it with no result (and are fine with it) I suggest you pick up OPENGL and C++ and roll your own. I am actually doing both at the time so you don't have to choose. But as someone that loves the craft more than the result I feel obliged to lay out both options.