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I've noticed a lot comercials on G4tv about Game Degrees in Programming and Design. I've wondered if anyone knows a about the industry and how to get in as a programmer. Especially if they know little C++ language and are not that great at math.
P.S: I'm 16 and willing to go to any college.
Learn C++ and a LOT (I mean ridiculous amount) of math. Algebra, Geometry, Calculus are things you should not shy away from, especially since they deal how you place objects in both 2-D and (especially) 3-D environments. You can also approach it from the art perspective with character and environment design, but considering that game development comprises of several disciplines (including creative writing and music composition), it's best to learn all aspects and master a few.
Digipen has an intensive four-year Bachelor's program that you might want to consider, but you REALLY have to be committed to go through a program such as that.
Forget about programming then, unless you plan on really studying your ass off and working on those math skills (you are young after all).Quote:
Originally Posted by avatar
Also: http://dperry.com/
Regardless of what you think of the guy there is some sound advice there.
You have to be good at Linear Algebra and some geometry to be a good 3D programmer. Thankfully, neither of those things are that hard. Calculus, too but Linear Algebra is the biggest one. Youre still young and college can teach you these things.
Get hardcore into programming or hardcore into animation and design. Those are your best options. Even if you can't find a job in the gaming industry you'll be able to use those skills for other things (office programming, website programming, medical programming, etc.)
That's my suggestion.
Thanks for the advice. I do have a question though. How much math is implied in an everyday thing? Is the heavy math requirements just to prove yopu understand math or do you use algebra,geometry,etc.. every day?
:lol: :lol: :lol: Those ads are fucking hilarious. If you think working on games is anything like that you are crazy. I literally fall off my chair laughing when I watch those commercials. They are hilarious.Quote:
Originally Posted by avatar
Can anybody find them hosted somewhere (not intended for MA or TX residents).
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
PS: Do all the things you should (like people here said) and get started on social networking NOW. Get summer internships (they worked for me), register at Gamasutra, send resumes and make calls even if there are no job postings, go to post mortems, join the local IGDA chapter in your area and don't miss a meeting/gathering. Research, read books, study hard and make contacts. It is harder to break into this industry than almost any other industry, and the more g4 runs their cheesy ads, more dummies will be trying for the same jobs. There are more than enough out of work game-workers now, so you have to be head and shoulders better than all of them.
Good luck, and PM me with any questions if you have them.
DiffX is right, you use it every day, and it is intense calculus and beyond. If you are bad at math, forget about it. Or work hard and prove me wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by avatar
As far as colleges go, DON'T go to a Game Making college. If you do you will have nothing to fall back on, and many of them don't have campuses so you miss out on the whole college experience. Go somewhere, get an applicable degree, take some game courses, but have a backup plan. I majored in IT with a minor in Tech. Entrepreneurship for instance.
This is the site of the G4 ads. It is almost as funny as the commercials. I pity the people that go here. It is the ITT tech for making games! http://www.gamedegree.com
In the Industry Recognition page, the quote EGM and Gamepro HAHAHAHAHA!
http://www.igda.org/Forums/forumdisplay.php?forumid=44
I completely agree with Master on this one. Those stupid ads you see on TV and read in gaming magazines are complete bullshit, and you'll probably get laughed at once you try and get a job.
I wanted to make video games when I was sixteen(yes, just a few months ago). It wasn't until I realized how extremely difficult it would be to break into the industry that I decided to take a step back and just write about video games. So now I'm looking to go to college and major in Journalism, then hopefully land a job with a popular gaming magazine as an Editor.
If you're really commited, READ THIS BOOK:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/03...1.MZZZZZZZ.jpg
My Aunt works for some big library, and she gets "beta" versions of all the books before they're released and they're always giving them to her for free. So she gave me an unedited version of this book a while back(as well as the first PvP book and a few other unedited works, some of which now have completely different titles). It's very well-written and will really make you question whether or not you're willing to commit to what is needed to break into the industry. Buy it.
My thoughts exactly. And even if I don't end up writing for something game related, there is always a ton of other fields of journalism to try and break into.Quote:
It wasn't until I realized how extremely difficult it would be to break into the industry that I decided to take a step back and just write about video games.
Rest assured I don't think Game devolopment is twirling analog sticks and saying "duuuude", but I have thought about doing it.
I might take a few courses as being a writer for games. I love RPGs and making writing the script for games like Fire Emblem would rock.
I'll probably take a few math/writing courses at the local comunity college(don't laugh) then visit Fullsail. I hear they give you a lot of good contacts and stuff.
There isn't anything funny about that. Work hard and start networking now. Good luck.Quote:
Originally Posted by avatar
PS: Though you should make sure the school is accredited (I mean really, investigate) so you could transfer to a regular college if necessary.
I hear really good things about Fullsail. I even thought about going there for a while, but I dropped the idea when I found out it was located in Florida.
Florida's nice and all, but I don't think I'd ever want to actually live there.
"Hey, how are the graphics coming on that game?"
I got another one I need designed!!1
We just finished up level 3, and we just need to tighten up the graphics a bit.
Man, i cant believe we get paid to do this!
And my mom said I'd never get anywhere with these games!"
:lol: best commercial ever.
I'll make sure, don't worry.Quote:
Originally Posted by Master
I've been on the internet researchig and it seems a lot of people dispute whether it's better to have a degree in computer science in game development or to get a staright out game programming degree. Which do you prefer?
I was initially planning on going there for their 2 year game design degree after I finished my undergrad at Syracuse, but my plans changed completely after I heard experiences from people who attended Full Sail. Not only was the program extremely hard and time consuming (12 hour class days 6 days a week, not counting work outside of class), but they have little to no job support when you are getting ready to graduate. Supposivly they just send you on your way with a degree and that's it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Swift
Like other people said, investigate first, because for all I know the people I talked to could have been all wrong about the school, but I've heard of far more negative impressions of the school than positive..
You could try the Guildhall at SMU in Texas.
Full Sail isnt accredited, either, last I checked at least. So they dont send you away with much of a degree, really.
As for the CompSci vs. game design degree... I dunno. I would say CompSci, but thats because Im an old-fashioned "go to college" type of guy (thats how I was raised) and these newfangled degrees people are coming up with scare me. With a degree in CompSci from a decent school, youll get a great foundation in programming and how computers really work. Which is critically important in the technology field. Learning specific languages is useless because they come and go all the time. Traditional colleges teach you how to learn, which is a "teach a man how to fish" type of thing.
I know a number of dudes that went to DigiPen and got hired within a month or two after graduating. One works at ArenaNet (worked on Guild Wars), one does cell phone games somewhere, and one works/worked at Zombie. DigiPen was recently accredited (within the past two years) so it's not a bad way to go if you're committed.
A friend of mine graduated from Full Sail's audio engineer program, here's the short version: they work you to the bone (they're even harder on the programmers), the school is expensive, you have to find a place to live in the area, florida smells.
I FOUND THE AD!!!!
http://chazcross.phase9studios.com/f...meDesigner.mpg
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
(Apparently for Westwood College online, not UAT. Ooops.)
Bump. Watch the video.
I saw this last night 3 times during the SNK Icons, it is the funniest thing I have ever seen.
"We just finished level 3, and need to tighten up the graphics a little bit"
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: