I currently have Half-Life 2 and all the tools, but I'm having a hard time finding tutorials that are simple to use to get the ball rolling. I have heard that the Unreal Engine has a smaller learning curve in some areas.
My goal is to build a working map that can showcase my models, texture, map layout and scripted events. I will not be creating any characters, it's not one of my strengths.
Unity looks good.. But far too expensive for a portfolio demo. The evaluation time limit is not going to be long enough, and the indy version will not let my artwork have the impact I want.
If you got some programming skills you should use XNA and create a simple engine or else try to hook up with some programmers in a XNA community.
Or … you can join a team and just make a cool game that shows your modeling skills.
There are a list of tools and game engines you can review at http://www.indiegametools.com , I'm not sure of your skill level but search on Game Engine with either the qualifier 'beginner' or "Engine w/authoring tools" to get a list of some of the simpler to use engines that are available.
We featured it, Helder, because we thought it was good for beginner members on the site to have an answer to this more generic question. However, I agree - in general for these types of questions, we have an educational site - http://www.gamecareerguide.com - with a forum, which is a great place to get this answered.
I think Helders main concern is that the system might get flooded with question blog posts, but since the Gamasutra staff are gatekeepers who I am quite sure are aware of this risk, I doubt the threat will ever actually come to pass.
Meanwhile, I'm somewhat glad to see the members blog section is no longer being flooded with almost always unrelated general business news from one person/name/user, now *that* was really annoying.
Thanks for the advice. My blog attempts to offer something in return, but ironically the only response I have gotten was from "help wanted" style posts. Ill always try to contribute as I can. I tend to find something online that may not find its way here, and post how it my apply to a game design, or concept.
Or … you can join a team and just make a cool game that shows your modeling skills.
Even worse, is this sort of "help wanted" stuff allowed on the blogs? this would make the blog system quickly derail into a impromptu forum...
Meanwhile, I'm somewhat glad to see the members blog section is no longer being flooded with almost always unrelated general business news from one person/name/user, now *that* was really annoying.