I'm a senior in high school and started coding about a year ago. I've built a few small JavaScript projects, including Rock Paper Scissors and Whack-a-Mole, but now I want to move into game development with GameMaker. I tried working with it today and found the interface difficult to follow because there is so much visual information, especially on my small laptop screen. For people who taught themselves programming or game development, what helped you stay focused and make progress?
3 Answers
A larger display or second monitor would make the interface much easier to manage. Even an inexpensive used monitor connected with HDMI could help, although I know that may not be realistic with no budget.
Pick one development setup and stick with it for a while. Use an editor you understand, keep your projects organized, and learn how to run and test everything consistently. The specific language matters less than practicing steadily and learning its basic rules. Also, try not to compare your beginning to someone else’s progress—be patient with yourself and keep building small projects.
Visual game engines can be confusing because they combine drag-and-drop tools with code, and the connection between game objects and scripts is not always obvious. Since you started with JavaScript, the engine’s workflow may feel more complicated than writing code directly. Give it time, but also pay attention to what you actually enjoy: you may discover that regular programming suits you better, or that the creative freedom of game development is worth working through the awkward tools.
So far, web development has felt calm but boring to me, while visual tools seem much more creative and exciting. I’m still new, so I’ll have to keep trying different things and see which direction fits me.
I’m trying to be more patient with myself, but it’s difficult when I know people who are already making Minecraft mods from scratch. I suppose feeling behind is just part of starting something new.