As I mentioned in a previous post, challenging yourself is the key to development as a game programmer. Instead of some sage advice*, I would like to offer you a way. Do you have the will? Here are three sites where you can challenge yourself.
Project Euler
Project Euler is a collection of mathematical problems that will take your computer programming skills (and your math) to the next level. You can sign up for an account and track the problems that you have completed by correctly answering the question at hand. You can do some of these problems by hand, and you could do them through brute force in the language of your choice, but the real challenge is in finding an elegant solution. After you have correctly answered the question, you can jump to a forum to see solutions far more elegant than your own.
Dream.In.Code – 52 Weeks of Code
I have been a member of Dream.In.Code for a little while. I enjoy hopping in every now and then to answer some C, C++, and Game Development questions. I’d been inactive for a little while until recently when I got an email about the 52 Weeks of Code idea. Each week a new challenge will be posted. Week 1 was using jQuery, Week 2 was XNA, 3 was the Twitter API, and now Week 4 is a Python challenge. Learning new languages and technologies will help you improve tenfold, so I really recommend this one. Save for the jQuery challenge, these are things I’ve been meaning to do anyways!
TopCoder
TopCoder is a site where Coders compete. If there was a GDL (Game Developer League), this would be it. You can register at TopCoder to complete in programming contests where your mettle will be put the test. Oh, and you’ll get money. Who doesn’t enjoy a little extra money?
* I am not a sage, nor do I define my advice as such. I am but a man offering his opinion.
1 ResponsesLeave a comment ?
I am always trying to push myself to improve. I am not a game developer, but think there is a lot to the art of developing good code for games that is applicable across the development spectrum. I was looking (in vain it seems) for some kind of FAQ and/or dropbox where I could send you my email address and run some ideas by you. I sent you my contact info via a friend request on Facebook….