Well, I have been reading a lot of posts like this, but I’m still a little bit confused.
I want to use Defold for my project, but I don’t know if Defold it’s using a custom Lua code (I don’t even know how to call it) I’m saying this because before getting here I was seeing Amulet a Lua toolkit. And it has commands that weren’t really part of the language itself (what I mean it’s that Idk if Defold scripting it’s based on Lua so it has commands that I won’t find in a regular YouTube Tutorial video).
It’s there any tutorial about it? Like Defold-oriented? For example, if I spent 5 months learning pure Lua with books and videos it would be hard for me to understand how to apply to Defold scripting?
Then you will be ready for learning and using Defold.
Defold just use Lua 5.1 with some small Defold API, not toolkit or big 3rd part library.
If you’re a new guy like me, 1 go to learn lua, 2 go to learn Defold, 3 go make your projects.
And I can find all Defold API here without any confusing mumbo jumbo?
So, that means I can focus on learn Lua and I won’t have any problem applying that to Defold? To be honest, I feel kind scared that the same thing that happened with Unity happens here.
My experience with programming in any capacity before coming to Defold was trying out Unity for “fun” (not working on any specific project) while trying to learn it at the same time as c# and/or javascript (“unityscript”), and the overall experience was…not fun.
Since I’ve started using Defold, I’ve been having FUN making things.
My advice would be to learn as much Lua as possible, and then dive into the Defold tutorials on the site. While i haven’t looked into the new ones since I’d generally surpassed them before they were added, the old ones at least were a good introduction to how the engine/IDE works.
Of course, it’s not JUST basic Lua. Defold has an API (fully documented with examples on the site, as well as the “manuals” on the site which give more detail on all of the functions) which make 95% of things easier. But it all follows the Lua syntax.
I would also recommend, once you’re familiar with Lua, the “games from scratch” defold tutorials on youtube. Pretty basic, but helped me out immensely in the beginning.
Also, the community here is golden. Make sure you’ve read through the appropriate manual/API entries and searched the forum before posting a question, because most things are answered there, but the community (including, but not limited to, the Defold staff) are always very helpful with explanations and code examples (shout-out @britzl), etc.
Let me know if you have specific questions. I’m by far not an elite defold user, but I do have a “beginner” perspective to a degree, as well as teaching experience (not in programming…) that I sometimes find is as helpful or more to other newbies (avoiding the “confusing mumbo jumbo” as you say).