Beginner - Wanting to learn Javascript

[Zortik 15]

So, with RPG Maker MV out I've once again begun the circle of...

 

1. A new RPG Maker came out!
2. Oh boy, I want to make a game!
3. Look at that cool [script]/[plugin]. I'm gonna try it.
4. Hu-uh... I can't find a [script]/[plugin]. for this function I want in my game.
5. Maybe I can learn how to program.
6. Okay, I found some free tutorials
7. Nice, I spent like an hour here. I don't feel like I really learned anything though.
8. I still don't get it... maybe I'll stop making my game until I can figure out how to code.
9. Why did this tutorial have such a high jump in complexity?! I don't get it... urgh! so Frustrated... maybe someone made a similar script.
10. I'll lower my standards a bit and look through all the scripts...
11. Now I've lost my motivation to work on my game...
12. [insert anything shiny that will further distract me from game design]
13. Return to 1.

 

Does that sound a bit familiar? You could probably replace this layout with Art, Music, etc. The bottom line is, I didn't stay invested in learning how to code long enough to see results. I can bring up a number of excuses, and shift the blame around, but it really just boils down to I don't fully understand how to properly motivate myself to learn a programming language.

 

Well, I found a resource that is working for me. It's called CodeCombat (<-clicky). It has a free website that teaches you coding via videogame. There are five languages available to choose from when you start your game.

1. Python
2. JavaScript
3. CoffeeScript (A work in progress)
4. Clojure (A work in progress)
5. Lua

Then they will set you on a gameboard map where you can choose the first level and begin your quest. As you progress in the game, you will get equipment to wear. This equipment unlocks more commands within the language.

As an example for JavaScript, when you first start you only have a pair of shoes. These shoes give you the option to type (and thus run) the following 4 commands:

• self.moveDown()
• self.moveLeft()
• self.moveRight()
• self.moveUp()

And you use these commands to move through a spike maze with gem stones to collect along the way. It's a LOT like the custom move eventing you are already doing in RPG Maker. Except you're typing the full string instead of just clicking a button.

 

The game limits you severely on the number of commands you can run because it wants to do repetition. It also provides rewards for good coding (No bugs, completing the task in under [x] statements].

 

Give it a shot. It might be just what you need to get started, lay down a foundation of understanding and maybe spark that motivation to dig deeper and get better.

Edited November 3, 2015 by Zortik

[+ Takeo212 1,079]

I like it. I struggle learning code simply because of a short attention span and headaches when reading walls of text (which sucks, because I actually enjoy reading...)

This is pretty helpful. I'm not to far into it, but it is alot easier to understand through this method. I enjoy the practical approach to learning instead of "sit and read this" approach.

 

 

Thanks for this, it certainly helps me out alot! Now I might be able to learn to make plugins xD

[Rikifive 3,411]

Hmm, this is an interesting way to learn coding, I must admit.

 

I'm curious how effective it would be. Perhaps when I'll have to deal with JavaScript I'll take a look at this.

[Animebryan 139]

Too bad I don't have internet at home otherwise this would be useful to me

[XIX 30]

Thanks a lot for this, I was hoping to find something a bit more interactive for learning!