Game Programming As A Career?
by Jonathan Potts · in Jobs · 11/24/2008 (10:41 am) · 4 replies
I am currently a computer science major at a public university with specializations in database systems and computer security. I've played video games my entire life and as such I think game programming could be a career I could enjoy. What advice would you give to me about my future career: things to consider about a career as a game programmer, advantages and disadvantages of game programming versus traditional programming, things I should get involved with in order to promote my ability to become a game programmer as a career? So far I have learned about internal representation, computer mechanics, memory management, machine language, Assembly (MIPS), C, Java, C++, SQL, database administration, and database development. I have taken two semesters of Calculus and will have taken two semesters of Calculus-based Physics before I have graduated. My university offers some game development courses (Game Design, AI, Flash Game Development) that I may be able to take before I graduate, but from what I've been told the Flash Game Development class is very basic, the Game Design course can be learned just by reading the text, and the AI course is generic in nature and intended more for people interested in designing robot AI.
#2
Otherwise, for most juicy game dev jobs you will need creditable work on at least one shipped title, and for the really juicy system level jobs, know your pointers and data structures (linked lists, etc). You could probably get away with an Indie title or 2 or 3. Anything that makes it to releasable format will help tremendously. A school project is good for a junior position maybe, but as part of what Christian wisely said in points 2 and 3, get something to show off.
Why? It sells you much more than a resume.
11/24/2008 (11:49 am)
With the Flash Game Development course you should get exposed to a lot of portable concepts: Physics, sounds, asset loading, collision and responses, event driven mechanisms, high scores, some gameplay coding, user input, etc. These are pretty transferable concepts across technologies and you could benefit from learning about them in a condensed format. Also some good exposure to optimization and design pattern cost.Otherwise, for most juicy game dev jobs you will need creditable work on at least one shipped title, and for the really juicy system level jobs, know your pointers and data structures (linked lists, etc). You could probably get away with an Indie title or 2 or 3. Anything that makes it to releasable format will help tremendously. A school project is good for a junior position maybe, but as part of what Christian wisely said in points 2 and 3, get something to show off.
Why? It sells you much more than a resume.
#3
I will echo what both Christian and Dave have mentioned. Get your foot in the door by learning outside of the classroom and for the love of all that is holy, make a game. ^_^ There are a lot of people who say they want to be "X" career, but never get their feet wet. And then, as you gain personal experience, try flipping that into "real world" experience. For example, if you made a game with Torque, I would highly encourage you to get in contact with me about GarageGames internships. We have hired many of our college-level programming interns into our ranks, and I'd love to scout out some more. Make my job easier please!
11/24/2008 (5:02 pm)
I'd say you're already on the first right step: ask lots of questions to people who have the job you want. I'd recommend conducting phone informational interviews if you can. Network either in communities like this or via your school, who may have alumni who have gone on to do what you're interested in.I will echo what both Christian and Dave have mentioned. Get your foot in the door by learning outside of the classroom and for the love of all that is holy, make a game. ^_^ There are a lot of people who say they want to be "X" career, but never get their feet wet. And then, as you gain personal experience, try flipping that into "real world" experience. For example, if you made a game with Torque, I would highly encourage you to get in contact with me about GarageGames internships. We have hired many of our college-level programming interns into our ranks, and I'd love to scout out some more. Make my job easier please!
#4
As Deborah says though make some games, as you need to have a passion for it.
12/15/2008 (2:36 pm)
I currently work at a major gaming company and I can tell you that the most sought after hires at our company at least are programmers who understand art. (graphic programmers)As Deborah says though make some games, as you need to have a passion for it.
Torque Owner Christian S
Oak-Entertainment
2: get very skilled at what such a 'position' require.
3: make a site that display your skill/development in said area.