Game Design Software ?

I am in the club at school called TSA or technology student association but anyways one of the things we can make or design is a video game and i was wondering what kind of software i would need to design a video game. It has to be e-rated so if u guys know of any such software please let me know

To make a real video game, you need to learn a programming language (C or C++ is what most games are designed with).

However, Game Maker might be of interest to you.

Design? You don't need software for that.

Now, to actually MAKE a game, you'll need some (a lot, actually) programming skills and a good development environment. Something like Microsoft's Visual C++ or Visual BASIC or Borland's C++. We're talking MAJOR $$$$, although they may have student discounts.

I don't want to discourage you, but game programming is a very difficult field. You'll need top-notch math skills and programming skills. I am in the process of making a (shareware) game and it is no easy proposition. This is very draining mentally, as I am the sole programmer. I have 21 years experience and know five different computer languages spanning two computer platforms.

However, after saying all that, the link amazon10x gave you just might be the ticket you need.

NOTHING! Beats Microsoft's XNA and a load of DirectX SDK kits... you can make something as complex as the Source engine from vALVE in a month.(okay not that complex... but visually you could)

And it's all free.

If you are interested in the programming route (using something like Game Maker is a waste of time), Microsoft publishes a lot of their development tools for free now (for personal use; they are called Express Editions). See http://msdn.microsoft.com/vstudio/express/

If you are interested in making a game, I would suggest C++. The Microsoft dev environment for this is Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition. You will probably also be interested in the DirectX SDK (Software Development Kit)

ok thanks i think though the very first thing u suggested might work well for me because all of this programing so is totally new to me so i am a complete noob as far as programing is concerned

To make a video game you have to use a API such as win32, directx, opengl, or perhaps SDL. I like combination of SDL and opengl alot. You can use C++ but you can also use other languages with some of these.

win32- this is microsofts older library that allows you to make windows applications that have windows.

Direct-x allows you to access the systems input, sound, and video hardware with a very high level abstract programming language

Open GL and SDL basically compete with direct-x.

Typically you use a programming language to write an application that will communicate with these other software components.

Last year I wrote a small 3d engine for fun with c++, opengl, and SDL. You could run around in a small 3d world, it had some physics, you could also shoot a gun. I also made a 2d-game that was much more complete than the 3d game. I quit working on the 3d-game because it was more of a learning experiment and I was busy with school.