I looked into it and it all seems scary tbh lol. I do some pixelart and ive looked into C# slightly but was wondering if I should try learning java first? Plus the sounds and sfxs scare me the most. Any Tips?
Depending on what kinds of games you want to make, there are easier ways to get into it. Twine. Ren'Py. Python and Pygame. Once you know the basics, it should be easier to learn more advanced languages or engines.
As for audio, I just use open source assets. Never learned how to make my own either. But collaboration is always an option.
C# and Java are both good languages to start with, and very similar actually. Your main choice is which engine / framework to use. For instance: C#: Unity or Monogame. Java: LibGDX or Processing.
Unity: powerful, extensive, professional engine, with a lot of good documentation and tutorials. But also overwhelming when getting started, and high level (little control over what happens "under the hood").
Processing: a very simple, clear environment, that teaches you about programming while creating some nice interactive graphics. But not a professional tool that you can create full games with.
Monogame/LibGDX: good if you like working in a code-centered environment (instead of an editor), and if you want to have control over what happens under the hood. Professional tools, but more for experienced programmers, and it takes a lot longer to finish your first game (compared to Unity).
There are many more engines/frameworks, especially if you look outside of C#/Java. Which ones are you considering?
And what is it that scares you about sounds? There's nothing hard about downloading some free sounds or generating them with something like sfxr and playing them in your engine. (Of course real sound design is another matter...)
RPGs is a special category. You could look into RPG Maker, which will allow you to create (a certain type of) RPGs quickly. But it's not free, and I'm not sure how many useful skills you learn from that for use in other tools/engines.
Making a (serious, elaborate) RPG in Unity (or Monogame, etc.) is a ton of work. There are assets in the Unity asset store to get you started, but they're also not free (as far as I've seen). But if you want to create a simple, short experience (no elaborate inventory, quest, dialog, etc. systems) that should be doable without tools.
GDScript (Godot) seems very similar to Python, so you cannot go wrong learning that. Godot seems a good engine to start with too.
I would say: pick a tool (Unity, Godot, RPG Maker?), follow some tutorials and see how well it matches your skills and expectations. You can always switch...
Here is some recommendations you can find on itch.io
Easiest game engine with Lua code: https://sparklinlabs.itch.io/craftstudio
Learn music: https://1oogames.itch.io/lovely-composer
Make pixel music: https://terrycavanagh.itch.io/bosca-ceoil
Hello Mike!
I know it's overwhelming, but I must say that it's brave and welcome that you'll try to learn coding to make your own games.
I have a bit of posts already with links to tutorials and such, but instead of repeating here more of the same (check my old posts if interested), I'll leave you here a few links to RPG development with Unity (the engine I'm using at the moment). In case it can give you ideas, or make you more comfortable with the idea to try that approach.
Unity's RPG Creator Kit
https://learn.unity.com/project/creator-kit-rpg
Brackeys' How to make an RPG (I find Brackeys very attractive for an introductory level)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPV2KyIb3jR4KLGCCAciWQ5qHudKtYeP7
Some links to video tutorials and such (all centered around RPG development with Unity)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ1b66Z1KFKgp-sjQ8ldU3eh8DoQ3a14P
https://www.youtube.com/c/CodeMonkeyUnity/search?query=rpg
https://gamedevacademy.org/how-to-create-an-rpg-game-in-unity-comprehensive-guid...
https://learn.unity.com/project/2d-roguelike-tutorial
Well, that's a bunch, but I think that the first two are the most attractive ones if you're starting.
Good luck!!
I still recommend learning JavaScript and C ++. Now Java is not so popular, and if you want to become a cool developer in the future, then you should think about the relevance of the language being studied. I'm in college at the same time, so I'm using https://uk.edubirdie.com to book my essay writing service. This leaves me a lot of time for hobbies and self-development. I don’t sit at home all day and don’t worry that I will not pass the exam.
Specifically for game development I'ld recommend Unity Engine, it's easy to use and there's a whole bunch of guides, tutorials and documentation to help you get started. ( https://unity.com/ ) I prefer using the MonoDevelop IDE ( code editor ) while working with Unity, but it's possible to use ( and I think it has become the default editor in recent versions of Unity ) Visual Studio.
Visual Studio is a really great IDE, and free, it's far better than MonoDevelop in my opinion so I'ld recommend it first and foremost, even though I prefer MonoDev myself. :) If developing desktop applications I'ld certainly recommend VS, since it has built-in UI designer tools and include a whole lot more without the need to install a bazillion of add-ons.
Furthermore, I'ld really recommend reading some books about programing in C#- it'll help alot, going through a bunch of online tutorials targetting game development, and specifically development with a certain engine would probably work out allright- but it will likely take a longer time to learn it properly and to stand on your own two feet. To give two examples, click the links below. Pay your local library a visit to see if they have any books on the subject on the shelves! :)