Looking to get into games programming...

[tw9902]

just wondering after i do an HND in software development where i would need to go to get a career in games programming.

i don't expect to get given a job after the HND and fully expect to have to go to university, as my college offers programming in C i think. however, where to go? computer science a degree dedicated to games design and programming?

i'm stuck as to what to do now? i want to focus on games programming and have little inspiration for software other than tools to mod games. I'm also unsure what to specify in if anything. i like the idea of working in AI or GUI, however, is there too many people in these areas or will i find them boring?

please provide your view as i'm a little stuck as for what to do here...

 

[Michael Brookes]

just wondering after i do an HND in software development where i would need to go to get a career in games programming.

i don't expect to get given a job after the HND and fully expect to have to go to university, as my college offers programming in C i think. however, where to go? computer science a degree dedicated to games design and programming?

i'm stuck as to what to do now? i want to focus on games programming and have little inspiration for software other than tools to mod games. I'm also unsure what to specify in if anything. i like the idea of working in AI or GUI, however, is there too many people in these areas or will i find them boring?

please provide your view as i'm a little stuck as for what to do here...

My apologies for the delay in replying to this, I just wanted to check with one of our programming leads first.

Getting a university degree is a good career move. Most game studios are happy with a general Computer Science course so there's no need to choose a dedicated Games Programming course, but do pick something with lots of hands-on programming, solid CS theory and some mathematics. Also try to program small games in your spare time: there are plenty of books, websites and forums that can help to get you started, such as www.gamedev.net for example. Don't worry too much about specialising in a particular area, most graduate programmer job openings are for generalists and there will be plenty of time to specialise later in your career if you find something you particularly enjoy.

Michael

 

[tw9902]

Sorry for the delay in replying.

Thanks for the advice, you've given me some insight into the game industry and provided me with some sort of direction.

 

[Thargon]

I guess getting into it is just a case of most games - traditionally were homebrew - someone in their bedroom giving it a go and working on it until something developed.

As to nowadays, it's probably fairly hard to get into. I've recently had a look at the DirectX API, and looks interesting, but it's a fairly hard way to go (you need a lot of foundation skills to start there).

There are plenty of websites out there like gamedev.com which are aimed at the games programming community. I guess there's also the modding scene.

 

[SpaceMammoth]

Hey, whatever you do its really worth trying to build some very small simple games. It doesn't really matter engine/language you use - keep them super small and simple and the process will teach you so much. As a hobby developer I started with simple Java Applets and worked up to a full 3D indie game for mobiles and desktops. Its great fun, go for it.

 

[Firestarter]

Sorry for the delay in replying.

Thanks for the advice, you've given me some insight into the game industry and provided me with some sort of direction.

I wonder how it went and what are you doing now? Something different or in the middle of a degree :S