I want to make some games using Phaser. And for some days I’ve been busy trying to learn it through various video tutorials on youtube. I copy the codes from those tutorials and they are actually working well. I feel I have learned something but at the end of the day, I forget everything. I mean I can’t understand the flow of the game and don’t grab the syntax. So, I am thinking of reading a complete book to guide me instead of just watching those tutorials and copy-pasting the codes. And as the topic goes do I really need a book?? or I can learn with just tutorials??
I don’t believe you need a book. I think the reason you aren’t remembering things and not understanding the syntax is because you are straight copy/pasting the code samples.
Copy and paste isn’t a good way to learn something. You aren’t learning what the actual API is, you’re just plopping some pre-written code into your text editor. I think a better way to use those tutorials would be to hand-write the code yourself, even if you are just writing out the existing code letter for letter. At least this way, you’re able to type out the API calls yourself and start learning them by doing.
Even better, you can tweak some things slightly to make the code your own. The tutorial says to make something blue? Well make it green in yours. The tutorial says to tween something’s x value? Well, tween its y value instead. Small tweaks force you to understand what you’re writing, rather than just mindlessly copying something that someone else understands.
1 Like
Must admit I had a similar experience when I started with phaser - there are loads of great free code examples or there, but I found they often have lots of different coding styles which made things confusing. I eventually paid for a ZENVA academy course which I found totally worth the money given the amount of time it saved me. Worth a look!
In my opinion Phaser 3 is a little confusing to learn, Phaser 3 don’t have a good documentation, Phaser CE is pretty easy in comparison. But If you have a solid knowledge in javascript, You will handle pretty well and with some good examples in github you will understand. I don’t think zenva worth the money, I already try, but the instructors are not good.
I spent 6 months for tracing source code of phaser3 engine before, then wrote these notes.
You don’t have to read a book for phaser3. Reading example codes and source code of engine (and patient) are enough.
Coding style, or data structure of a project is another issue, imo.
Should add that I was a relative beginner to javascript so that probably makes a big difference to the recommendation. Zenva got me over that hump of understanding but can see that wouldn’t be necessary for someone with more experience.
Agree, a quick startup template, or a lesson is useful for application developer (not researcher).
What you need is to go at labs.phaser.io and also reading the documentation.
This is the only things i used.
Thanks!! I will.
Thanks for you suggestion. I will make some tweaks while using them. I tried it and yeah, it helps a lot.
And i asked this question because from those tutorials i could learn only some piece of codes
and the way of using those codes is different from different programmers so it got me confused. however i was thinking that from a book i would get complete reference. 
But now, I think i don’t need a book. Instead i will make notes from those tutorials and use it in my code as per my understanding.
thanks for your help.
1 Like
Looks like they’ve covered everything! haha. But I also wanted to tell you that you should also look into developing your own games in your own time asides from following tutorials. I started doing that and I’ve felt more confident using Phaser 3 and starting to learn even more.