Overview of Reddit Comments on "Free Games gamedev"
Free Games and Game Development:
In a humorous comment, someone joked about using free tools for programming games: "With tweezers, one bit at a time."
One user explained the tools used in the 1980s for PC game development, which included both assembly language and Basic in the earlier days, along with compilers like Turbo Pascal and Borland Turbo C/C++ in the 1990s.
The transition from DOS-based to Windows-based development was highlighted, noting the difference in memory usage and the need to adapt to new compilers to accommodate Windows platforms.
Game Development in 1980s and 1990s:
Early game development relied heavily on assembly language, Basic, and later C compilers, with popular tools like Borland Turbo C/C++ and Quick C mentioned for DOS and Windows game development in the 1990s.
Various software like CodeWarrior Gold and A86 were used for Macintosh and IBM PC development, respectively, providing different environments and features suitable for game creation.
Tools like Turbo Pascal and Power BASIC were affordable options for aspiring game developers in the 1990s, offering accessible compilers and adequate resources for game creation.
Comparison with Modern Tools:
The shift to modern free compilers like GCC and Visual Studio was highlighted, marking a transition to more cost-effective and widely accessible development tools for game creation in the 2000s.
As the industry progressed, major advancements in compiler technology, like GCC Version 3.0 in 2001 and Microsoft's release of a free version of Visual Studio in 2014, significantly impacted the accessibility and affordability of game development tools.
Popular Game Development Tools:
Tools like Turbo C/C++, Borland Turbo C, and Watcom C/C++ were mentioned for developing games like DOOM and other popular titles, indicating their widespread usage in the gaming industry during the early 1990s.
The role of various programming languages and environments like Assembly, Basic, Turbo Pascal, and Quick Basic in game development underlined the evolution of tools available for aspiring game developers over the years.
Overall, the comments provided a thorough overview of the progression of game development tools from the 1980s to the present, highlighting the shift from assembly language to more user-friendly and cost-effective compilers for creating games.