Game Developing In Maya...

[Erker]

Hi,
How can we develop a simple 3D game in Maya? We must use additional applications(game engine, converters, etc...) for it? Or is Maya enough for all of them?

Shortly, how can we convert our productions(Animations, 3D Model, etc...) to a game?

[DjVoyager]

As far as my knowledge goes, Maya is used in the pipeline of game development but not as a game engine. You can animate your characters in Maya, and then export the renders to a game developing application for controls.
I don't know much about game engines but I do know that there are games that have been developed using Director and Flash, besides using raw OpenGL programming in MS Visual C++.
Director has a plugin from Maya that can be used to import a W3D model into a Shockwave file. Check out the results at Shockwave 3D (http://www.shockwave3d.com/) .
DT has a game character developing kit for XSI. Check out the project overview. (http://www.digitaltutors.com/store/product.php?productid=1761&cat=0&page=1#tabs) It looks awesome! DT is using OGRE and C++, so pretty much proper game development techniques :)

[Jak_Carver]

Maya could be the 3d package you use in your pipeline for creating game assets like characters, environments, props, vehicles, weapons, etc. You also use it to create character animations. However, you are still going to need a good game engine. Some examples of game engines are Torque, UE, Unigine, CryEngine, Ogre 3D, Reality, etc. This will be the actual application that will run the game. You will also require a compiler for all your C++ code such as Microsoft Visual Studio, DevC++ (which is free), etc. It's alot more complicated to make a game than it seems and is alot of work, you will certainly not be able to make a good game or any game for that matter by yourself so start getting a talented team together, this aspect may actually be more difficult than actually making the game itself.

[DjVoyager]

Although I agree with you on team aspect of game making, Jak, I'd have to say there have been games which were developed by only one or two people. Darkfall (http://www.darkfallonline.com/) was one of such games, and it went in the top 10 Adventure. I guess one of the reasons people back off from game developing is that they fear the resources might not be enough.
If you have a good storyline, know how to lay down the controls in a game platform then definitely go ahead. If it's good enough then pitch it to a games developing studio to take it further on, enhancing the CG and whatnots. Remember Prince of Persia ;)

[Erker]

Thanks :dance

[Jak_Carver]

Yeah one person can make a game but its very difficult, of course this depends on what kind of game it is. For example, making a flash game on newgrounds is one thing, but making something along the lines of Gears of War-I would like to meet the one person who could create a game like that all by himself lol. I looked at the Darkfall site, they say they had a bunch of people working on it though I cant find an exact head count. Believe me though, Im all for the gung ho run onto the battlefield on your own and slaughter everything that moves cuz thats the kind of person I am.

[DjVoyager]

You're looking at the latest of the latest Darkfall series. Of course, since the first was well received they're making sure the follow ups are better, it makes sense. I admire this guy's will for the first Darkfall game. http://www.netjak.com/review.php/388
You just have to have what it takes to take the first step.
We're not exactly competing with Pixar with our little animations, right? but someday we hope to :)