So you want to be a game developer...

"I'm a senior high school student with a dream, a dream to create video games. I've always loved video games since I was really little, but lets be obvious here, who hasn't? I always have ideas of making a video game knowing that it could possibly be legit, because I am however, one of the hundreds of millions kid that play video games--so I can relate. The problem is that I am empty minded on what is out there that has great programs for video game designing/developing. I would love to go for my Bachelors degree in that profession, I don't know if colleges have a masters program for that, hopefully I'm wrong. I just want to know from you, a very experienced talented designer, recommend what college I should apply for and why? I currently live in PA state, and I'm thinking of going far off into Florida attending FullSail. I heard from TEACHERS it's a good school for that, and they could be right. However, I want to know from an experienced person like yourself with answers." -Alex

 

Howdy,

This is a great question, and one I get quite a lot.  In fact, I think I will post your question and my answer onto my blog so that I can refer to it in the future.

It is awesome that you are looking to get into the game industry, and it is a great goal coming out of high school.  As far as how you should proceed in further education, my advice will differ a bit from the path that I took into the industry.

There are a bunch of colleges out there that offer game-focused degree programs.  In fact, I hold one of those degrees from The Art Institutes.  I started at AI back when it was one of the few game-focused Bachelors programs, and in fact I got hired before I completed my degree, based on my mod work.  It was only after I was working in the industry before I went back and completed my B.S. with AI in Game Art & Design.  Also, I had a good work background with the government and the military when I decided to move into game development.

But for the folks graduating high school now who want to go into games, I would recommend a different path than I took.  First, educate yourself.  Check out sites like igda.org, gamecareereguide.com, and gamastutra.com and get an idea of the industry and the types of jobs available.

Next, go to college.  I am lucky and backwards in that the game industry actually drove me to my B.S. degree, I probably wouldn’t have gotten one if it wasn’t for games.  You should go to college no matter what, just to have the background.  Go to your local university or college (or community college and then state uni); just get your 4 year degree.  As for what you study, you choose.  Art, Psychology, Sociology, Business, English, History, Comp Sci, Physics, etc.  All of these fields can contribute to your skills as a game developer.  I recommend going for a more general bachelors degree rather than a game-focused degree program.  That way if you decide in the three-four years during your program that you don’t like game development, you have a backup to take to other careers.  Again, my degree is in Game Art & Design, so I am telling you to do something different than I have done.  However, if it comes down to a choice between a game-focused degree and NO degree, get the degree.  A degree can be important in the industry, especially if you want to work abroad.  It’s often hard to get a work visa in other countries if you don’t have a degree.

Next step, if you haven’t already started (and you should have already) is starting to make mods for games.  Get a widely modded PC game (such as Unreal Tournament, Half Life 2, Doom 3, Crysis) and start making mods.  Create your own levels, weapons, total conversion mods.  Look on the web for mod teams that need help.  If you have new ideas, figure out how to do them yourself.  Even if it isn’t the best looking thing in the world, push your idea; go out and find artists to join your group.  Think about the fact that Counterstrike was a Half Life 2 Mod, and that Portal was built on Half Life 2, while Bioshock was built on Unreal 3.  What can you do to push an existing moddable engine to a new level?  Think outside the box. 

So, while you are getting your solid degree in a field you are interested in, you are making kick ass mods.  You are working with mod groups and distributing your work, and getting feedback, and improving.  You are also deciding what field within game development you want to work in.  Do you want to be an artist, an engineer, a designer, a producer?  You should KNOW, within a few years through your work in making mods and working with your mod teams.  Are you best at directing people to get things done?  Do you like writing detailed specs and weathering criticisms while refining your script to get the most out of the engine?  Do you enjoy reiterating over and over to make sure that a piece of geometry is the most beautiful it can be within a given budget? Do you like to code code code? Know what you want to do in the industry before you jump into the job market. 

By the end of your four year degree, you will have some awesome mod projects to build into a portfolio, and you will be focused on what you really want to do in the industry.  If you choose, you can go on to get Masters level degrees in games from the various MA schools.  Once you choose your direction, you must then...continue to kick ass.

Ass kicking is essential.  The game industry is not for the meek.  Crush your enemies; see them driven before you; and hear the lamentation of the competition.

Comments

[Chris Johnson]

I am in a situation simular to his. I was online just browsing google when your sight came up. I had no clue where to start as far as game programing goes until now. This information was very helpful so i just thought I'de let you know. Thanks very much.

[Cesar E. R. Quiroz]

Hi i want to make games, because i love them since i was a little boy( like 4 years old i think), playing Mario Bros. and Double Dragon 3, good times.

Im good in drawing and i have a big imagination and creativity
I start to make game sketches since i was 14,
now i have like 40 games in my folders
some are in starting progress others almost finished, in 2D and 3D, shooter, adventure, racing, etc.
I repeat, of all this i have something like a game guide with
levels, characters, enemies, weapons, controls, bosses, story,
menu designs, gameplay, etc. Not a playable version.
The game assets of my first game are in progress.

So i get XNA Game Studio Express and im trying to make a shooter side scrolling game (like Contra),
im learning about all those codes,
for the game art and all those stuff of desing theres no problemo,
the code is what is going to take some time to run the game,
the code is tricky and the errors are always a problem.

As you can see im very interesed (obssesed, jajaja) in this industry.
So my question is

There is a place where i can find help to complete a game,
like programmers, etc.?

Thank for your time and sorry for using too much space.
Maybe one day i will send you an email to tell you my game
is avaiable in the xbox marketplace, and you can give your opinion about it, it would be great.
Thanks again.

An game creator enthusiast.

Cesar E. R. Quiroz
(Better known in the xbox live community as
Lord Xior)
Please check my video clips; My #1,My #2, and 2 2kill head
http://www.bungie.net/stats/Halo3/FileShare.aspx

Adiosss.

[Christian Allen]

Cesar:

This is where I would start:

http://forums.xna.com/forums/

[JaxJags1767]

I've heard that Full Sail wasn't that great of a school.

[Don]

Great advice. In reading the comments above, I would also add that you learn how to write. This includes spelling, grammar, syntax, etc. Nothing turns employers off more that the inability to communicate clearly in writing.