Got any suggestions for an aspiring game designer/programmer

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Antidote

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Posted: 2nd Nov 2005 03:53

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OK. I am currently in my 2nd year of high school(so in the U.S. that's 2 more after this one) and am taking the level 3 and 4 courses of computer science, am automatically signed up for AP comp. sci. next year and then will be taking seminar senior year. I've been looking through different universities giving out game design degrees and was wondering a couple of things.

First off, from those with experience on the subject what are the current game developers looking for in their rookies. Do they want 8 years of compsci or some of that and game designing courses. Will working as a volunteer at summer camps teaching kids learn how to program look good on a resume for that kind of work? What about the games I make in DB?

Secondly, Does anyone have any ideas about what I should do for college? I want to get into game design so does that mean I should take game design courses? Or should I stick with a bunch of credit in computer science? Also if I should take some game design courses do you have any suggestions on good colleges/universities that have nice game designing courses? Anyone currently looking around for the same thing?

I just feel that since I have about 2 and 3/4 years of high school left I should start working this out now while I can still make changes to classes I need to take.

http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=63573&b=5

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Undercover Steve

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Posted: 2nd Nov 2005 04:58 Edited at: 2nd Nov 2005 04:59

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Well if you are looking to get into game design, you have to be more specific...programming...graphics, ect. Computer science is TOTALLY different than Game Design courses. It is mainly aimed at the computer themselves (not what is ON the computer) in the US.Thats why programming courses are usually seperate

. Trust me

.

Quote: "Do they want 8 years of compsci or some of that and game designing courses. Will working as a volunteer at summer camps teaching kids learn how to program look good on a resume for that kind of work? What about the games I make in DB?"

That will help. Teaching kids?!?! You diffenetly could get SOME credit for that. Games in db--Ify..they are made in basic, so they wont have as much influence as C or .net language games, but they will still give some more power to what you want!

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Megaton Cat

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Posted: 2nd Nov 2005 05:02

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Gota be more specific. What area of games do you wanna work in?

The future is here, and I can't afford it.

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Undercover Steve

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Posted: 2nd Nov 2005 05:06

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Quote: " Well if you are looking to get into game design, you have to be more specific...programming...graphics, ect"

I said that! lol.

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Jimmy

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Posted: 2nd Nov 2005 06:47

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Turn back while your social standing is still at a somewhat acceptable level!

Bloggy

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Undercover Steve

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Posted: 2nd Nov 2005 06:52

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It probably isnt if he is asking about this.

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Tinkergirl

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Posted: 2nd Nov 2005 13:07

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Getting in to game design, probably isn't going to happen. You will not be hired to design full games.

Level design is something else entirely. You may be hired as a level designer, in which case a game design course would be nice (if it's any good) but a portfolio of past work (levels designed in engines like Quake/Unreal) with documentation might do you as well.

If you're wanting to get in to game programming - do ALL programming and make sure you're doing games in your spare time, in C++ probably.

But game design itself is a job that usually requires 6 years experience and at least 2 triple A published titles.

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BatVink

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Posted: 2nd Nov 2005 13:23

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Pfft, you'd think you were a professional level designer TinkerGirl.

Oh wait...You are!

Can't get better advice than that then!

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Pincho Paxton

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Posted: 2nd Nov 2005 13:53

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Go with C++, and make lots of Demos. You can use DB to make a rough version of a game quickly.

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Antidote

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Posted: 2nd Nov 2005 14:53

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To be more specific. I want to get into the programming aspect of things.

Level design would be nice since I do make my own levels for all my games, and there is programming involved in that.

I am working in C++ right now. I just need to look up ways to access Direct X or OpenGL. Then I can start working on the things that will make developers more prone to hire me.

Anyway thanks for you comments. Based on what people have said so far, it looks like I should take game programming classes rather than majoring in compsci.

http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=63573&b=5

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indi

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Posted: 2nd Nov 2005 14:57

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a great opengl site can be found here.

http://nehe.gamedev.net/

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Undercover Steve

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Posted: 2nd Nov 2005 16:13

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OpenGL is a good start for programming, just make sure any demo or app you make accesses BOTH (option to select either) dx and OGL.very important

. It also helps to know your wps, and such

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Antidote

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Posted: 2nd Nov 2005 16:15

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Will that OpenGL work with turbo C++ 3.0?

http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=63573&b=5

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Jeku

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Posted: 2nd Nov 2005 16:23 Edited at: 2nd Nov 2005 16:24

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Two words: Linear Algebra. Eat that stuff up when you get the chance. My University was too blind to offer the courses for my Computer Information Systems degree.

For proof: Right now with the Xbox 360 game we're working on, I use linear algebra every single day. I can't escape it. Dot products, cross products, etc. etc. In the past I have had interviews with EA, Ubisoft, and Relic. Two things that are common with them all: They ALL ask technical C++ and linear algebra questions.

For example they might say: How do you detect if two spheres are colliding? You can't say "Well I just use the collide commands in DBP". They will most likely laugh at you behind your back

One other piece of advice is to study up on your computer science theory, like design patters (singletons, etc.). If your University doesn't offer this, then get the books and study.

I'm kicking myself in the butt right now because I didn't study linear algebra formally, and I'm paying through the nose as I bombed several interviews due to lack of knowledge about simple linear algebra.