I've finally decided to become "serious" on a carieer on game design/development.

[Mr.Wuggles]

I need some help on:

* What should I study (C++?)

* What courses should I take in High School to help improve

* Should I start with 2D or 3D

* Any programs to help me start early?

[Blackwolf]

Start with C++, definately. Take math and computer programming courses in HS as well - there's a lot of Linear Algebra in games.

I started with 2D, got that down, and then moved onto 3D. A lot of people jump straight into 3D because there's no room for 2D much anymore, but I think you gotta learn the roots before you can do the more recent stuff.

There's an entire series of books about game development. And in fact, I *believe* there's one called "Game Programming for High School Students" which might be right up your alley.

[Mr.Wuggles]

Start with C++, definately. Take math and computer programming courses in HS as well - there's a lot of Linear Algebra in games.

I started with 2D, got that down, and then moved onto 3D. A lot of people jump straight into 3D because there's no room for 2D much anymore, but I think you gotta learn the roots before you can do the more recent stuff.

There's an entire series of books about game development. And in fact, I *believe* there's one called "Game Programming for High School Students" which might be right up your alley.

Thanks Blackwolf, I'll go check my local library.

[Oomba]

I'd start with Basic because its so easy to learn. Then I'd move on to other languages because they all operate basically the same way, but it will be much easier to learn how and why things work or dont in other languages if you start with Basic, because Basic will hold your hand and the other languages wont.

[Blank]

There's more to know in game design than just programming.

Just so you're aware.

[Mr.Wuggles]

There's more to know in game design than just programming.

Just so you're aware.

Yeah, I know.

It's called game design for a reason.

[Oomba]

C++ will give you enough rope to run around the world twice, jump over the moon, and then hang yourself.
Java wont give you enough rope to make a knot.
Visual Basic will make the knot for you.

[Mr.Wuggles]

Visual Basic eh...thanks.

[EvilWall]

Yeah, VB is simple....good to learn on.

[Verse]

Don't listen to these folks, Visual FoxPro is where it is at... select statements ftw!

[Captain N]

I dunno. I can offer you some advice that I recently came to understand.

Game Design looks way better then it actually is. What it boils down to is just another cubicle job. Only replace boring, monotonous sales work with boring, monotonous code. Love it or hate, you're going to be doing nothing but coding for your first "real" job in the industry outside of testing. No one just gets to make the games. So if you think you can handle days of coding trees and water, then your heart's in the right place.

Edit:I really forgot to add the hours. Designers have crunch times which can last for a few weeks where all you're doing is sitting in a dimly lit room working your ass off for about 10-12 hours a day.

Game makers really don't make decent wages. I think the entry salary for a programmer for a game company dosen't exceed $30,000 (Correct me if I'm wrong)

It's a very risky career choice. If you want more artistic freedom you have to sacrifice job security working for a company that'll let you take the reigns. Fun right? Yeah, until a game tanks and the company goes under and you're out of a job. It's fun to look at game design from an artistic and enjoyment point of view, but once you take a serious, economical look at it, the shine starts to fade away.

Those reasons were some of my biggest for deciding to go for a psych degree. On a personal note, I shyed away from GD because of the following.

-I don't like others input on my art. Critique? Sure. Go nuts. I don't, however enjoy people saying "We're adding this. Changing this. Making this different." to something I created. It's basically like putting a back-up painter behind an artist and letting him add his brush whenever he likes it.

-I'm not a fan of working in an enviroment where I'm never assured my job. I don't want to go into work everyday thinking some other coder just got my job and I can't eat for the next month.

-I find the entire concept of sitting at a computer all day, inputing never ending lines of abitrary numbers and words probably the most soul suckingly boring thing you could ever do. I respect game programmers. I really do, but there's no way I could ever do it.

-I want the prefix "Doctor" in front of my name. That's pretty bad ass.

[Blind Unknown]

You know, I actually am conflicted now because of Captain N's post.

He does state very understandable claims, and the fact that the game industry is so difficult to get into and stay in. And there are only a handful of reknowned developers in the world, which are nigh household names, but still just a handful.

I have to rethink this over with not just the postitives, but the negatives. It's quite a decision really, what to do in the future.

[Blank]

Coding is not as boring as you make it seem, Blake.

There is alot of programmers I know who absolutely love it. It's just another form of creativity to concepts and modeling, except working with numbers instead of pencils and brushes.

With that said, there is still alot of fun in the game design field, it's just that you have to weigh into the equation other future desires such as a family, a hobby, a house, and decide if 90 hour crunch weeks and unstable job security is something you can manage.

I don't know about you guys, but I don't like to move around much, I want time for myself, and I want to be a father figure to my kids. Game design just can't offer me that from my current approach.

[Burr]

Yeah programming isn't about arbitrary words and numbers. There is plenty of elegance and art in it when done properly.

The rest of that was right though, it's very risky and not terribly rewarding especially at the entry level. You really have to have a passion for seeing a project through and not care about the consequences to enjoy that sort of career, IMO.

[Mr.Wuggles]

The one who created Bullfrog entertainment....he was a doctor once before, and he built his reputation in the industry. He soon sold out Bullfrog and went back to being a doctor, he just switches between designing games and doctoring now :/

I might as well have a back-up plan myself.

[Blank]

The one who created Bullfrog entertainment....he was a doctor once before, and he built his reputation in the industry. He soon sold out Bullfrog and went back to being a doctor, he just switches between designing games and doctoring now :/

I better have a back-up plan myself.


Fixed.

[Halfassedninja]

I'm actually going to Westwood College online for Game design. I'm in my third term and it's going pretty well. My current classes involve image editing for gaming and Flash animation.

[InnerLogic]

I'm actually going to Westwood College online for Game design. I'm in my third term and it's going pretty well. My current classes involve image editing for gaming and Flash animation.

Everyone who has read that post has probably wanted to ask this, I know I did anyway.

Are you tighting up the graphics? And if so, by how much?