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How do you get into the gaming industry?

M

MangoTBG

Diamond Member
I've always thought, "Wow. That'd be cool to say, 'I made <<insert way cool game title here>>.'"

And quickly thought it was just a fantasy. Something that I would never do. Now that I'm in college and have been debating what field to go in, I'm seriously considering programing an option. But I don't want to do just any programing. I want to be making games. Especially realizing how HUGE the gaming industry is, and will be. I mean, it's no longer "just for kids" or "just for guys". Now all the people that grew up on Nintendo and the like are becoming/have become adults, so it's bound to grow even larger. I want to be apart of it.

Yes, I realize it isn't all fun and games. But I'm asking, does anyone know anyone that does this? Do I just need to go the programming route and apply for an internship/job at a company like EA (no I don't like them 🙁 ) or the such. Or is there a special means as to landing a job like that?
 
There's two sides to the gaming industry:
Side one:
Get a programming degree or go to a school like Digipen. You'll get into the coding. (I've met people in this path)
Get really good at computer generated art, this may take getting a degree. You'll be rendering the textures and such. (I've talked to someone in this path, Merekat Creations

Side two:
Get a degree in writing and journalism. You'll be writing reviews. (I know someone in this path, he's doing guides for IGN while in school)
 
Thanks Demon.

I have heard about Digipen. Does it focus on graphics design, coding, or both? Is that something that I should get a degree in programming and then go to Digipen to further specialize? I'll admit, I'm not artsy at all. I am, however, pretty creative. I guess I lack the fine-motor skills 😉!


Thanks, again.
 
Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
There's two sides to the gaming industry:
Side one:
Get a programming degree or go to a school like Digipen. You'll get into the coding. (I've met people in this path)
Get really good at computer generated art, this may take getting a degree. You'll be rendering the textures and such. (I've talked to someone in this path, Merekat Creations
Click to expand...
Get a programming degree from any accredited school. In you're spare time join Mod teams and help create new content for existing video games.
 
Doing volunteer work for mods for existing games is the only way I know of (other than knowing the right people). My roomate from college is currently down this path, he's not involved in the programming but he does a lot of mapping and has done a few interviews.
 
How are your physics and math skills?

There are basically two sides of game development.
One is the technical designers who write the game engine.
The other is the storytellers and artists who provide the gameplay using the engine.

Strong programming, physics, and math skills are what you need if you want to be involved in developing new game engines.
An artistic or writing background are more important for the other side.

Either way, you will need to a portfolio of your work. So plan on spending a lot of your free time building this portfolio.
And don't plan to make much money.
The game industry is notorious for long hours and low pay. Sure Gabe Newell is making some serious bucks, but most game developers don't. This is because practically every programmer out there thinks writing games would be the coolest job ever. So there is ample supply of talent for the few job openings there are.

I'd agree with others that being involved in mods can help you gain some experience. If your mod is good enough and becomes popular (Counter-strike anyone), that will help you a lot.
 
Originally posted by: MangoTBG
Thanks a bunch guys.
Click to expand...

You need a good portfolio... go ahead and do the CS route at college if you can't afford digipen or I believe a college in Texas has a degree in the works.
Make a game by yourself, one with good gameplay, basically something from start to finish to show you have the skills to complete a project.

I suggest the CS route because you will have something to fall back on. The game industry is very nepotistic, they don't hire people out of the industry. Apply for QA positions (game testers), it'll most likely be your first gig in the industry.

With that said, I'm about to quit my now paying job in QA non-gaming industry to work for free as a game programmer.
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