QB64 Game Programming
Logo by Pwillard, a QB64PE Forum Member
Welcome to the new QB64 Game Tutorial!
This tutorial will focus on the Phoenix Edition version of QB64 located at https://qb64phoenix.com/forum/index.php. If you use an alternate fork of QB64 the tutorial will more than likely be just fine for your version. Please be aware any new enhancements made to the PE version and utilized in the tutorial may not be compatible with your version however.
This new tutorial has had many updates added to it from the previous version, such as more commands and more in-depth detail of difficult to grasp subjects. The old tutorial was coded by hand by the author making updates and changes difficult at best. By utilizing Google Sites changes, updates, and new content can be readily added when needed. Stay tuned for more lessons to be added in the very near future.
If you were using the old tutorial site you'll need to delete the old tutorial folder in your QB64 directory and download the new tutorial asset file. It's the same procedure as before, download the tutorial asset file move the "tutorial" folder into your QB64 folder.
Recent Updates:
Added another game (Pac-Man) to the game list ( December 26th, 2022 )
Completed Lesson 20 ( January 4th, 2023 )
Added another game (nonograms) to the games list ( January 9th, 2023 )
Added a note for Linux users on the QB64 installation page. ( January 10th, 2023 )
Updated the tutorial asset file with minor bug fixes ( January 20th, 2023 )
- LineDemo.BAS in Lesson 5 was incomplete.
- RadianAsteroidDemo.BAS was missing in Lesson 17.
- Thank you again Eric for your time in finding these errors.The QB64 Phoenix Edition Developers just released version 3.6.0. Read about it here. ( February 20th, 2023 )
Added another game (Galaga) to the games list ( February 24th, 2023 )
Yet another game added (Scramble) to the games list ( February 26th, 2023 )
What is QB64?
QB64 is a modern version of Microsoft's QuickBasic from the 1980's. It has the same familiar, albeit enhanced, integrated development environment (IDE) from the original version. QB64 is nearly 100% compatible with source code written in QuickBasic. That source code from 1988 will load, compile, and run just fine. Furthermore, QB64 has added hundreds of new powerful commands to take advantage of today's high-powered computer systems. Visit the QB64 Wiki for a listing of all the new features available.
Install QB64
The first thing you'll need to do is get QB64 installed on your computer system. If you already have QB64 installed you may want to upgrade to the latest version. You'll also need the tutorial asset file installed to take full advantage of this tutorial. Visit the Install QB64 page to get started.
Useful Links
Tutorial Asset File
The tutorial asset file will be updated from time to time to reflect changes made to the tutorial. You can download it here:
Latest update: January 20th, 2023
QB64 Phoenix Edition Forum
The QB64 Phoenix Edition forum is your one-stop shop for all things QB64 related. Stop by, create an account, and join in the conversations. There are many QB64 users here that are more than willing to answer your programming questions. Remember, there are no stupid questions! We were all once new to programming.
QB64 Phoenix Edition Wiki
The QB64 Phoenix Edition Wiki is your go to place for everything QB64 command related. You'll find helpful code snippets and command syntax to help you complete your game project.
Versions of QB64
In early 2022 the QB64 community decided to take a few different directions. The author of this tutorial chose to align with the Phoenix Edition version of QB64. The author is in no way stating that one version is any better than another. As new versions appear the links to them will appear below to give users a chance to check out their varying features.