working in the games industry?

So, I have a question for anyone who works for a video game company. The short version is: what is it like? and how do I get a job?

Here's the long version:

At the moment I am an undergraduate in physics and I am lining myself up for going to grad school and getting a phd (I'm hopefully going to publish my first paper this summer), but over the last month or so I have started questioning my life. I have a real passion for games and programming, and I have been wondering if I might enjoy a career in game design more than one in physics research. The problem is that I feel so locked in; does one NEED to have a computer science degree to get a job at a game company? or can I just teach myself the necessary programming languages and apply? What if I go ahead and spend the next 6 years getting a physics phd, would this be a totally useless addition to my resume in the eyes of a recruiter?

Also, how do I know this isn't a "grass is greener on the other side" thing? Does programming/designing games get dull after awhile?

So, I have a question for anyone who works for a video game company. The short version is: what is it like? and how do I get a job?

Here's the long version:

At the moment I am an undergraduate in physics and I am lining myself up for going to grad school and getting a phd (I'm hopefully going to publish my first paper this summer), but over the last month or so I have started questioning my life. I have a real passion for games and programming, and I have been wondering if I might enjoy a career in game design more than one in physics research. The problem is that I feel so locked in; does one NEED to have a computer science degree to get a job at a game company? or can I just teach myself the necessary programming languages and apply? What if I go ahead and spend the next 6 years getting a physics phd, would this be a totally useless addition to my resume in the eyes of a recruiter?

Also, how do I know this isn't a "grass is greener on the other side" thing? Does programming/designing games get dull after awhile?

kensaimarine

www.sloperama.com/advice.html

Read everything there...you will find it VERY useful :)

Degrees arent a mandatory requirement...what is required is a kickass demo/portfolio which showcases your best work of game development. You are studying physics so why not try making a nice physics simulator which is efficient (programmatically) and also tells the company you know your stuff...Having a Phd is good on resume but if you have no demo/portfolio of games/projects you created, its pointless imo...

Having a CS degree will help you in the future should you give up on pursuing game development as a career. I am not trying to discourage you mate, apoligies if you thought that way. Not having a degree gives the impression to the company that you dont have the willpower/determination to finish a 4 year degree (whether its CS, Art, Business,History, Writing,whatever) which doesnt go down well. But if you have developed a nice demo which impresses them, you will probably be higher up the 'getting-hired' list.

Develop games in your spare time, form a team if possible (programmer art isnt pretty lol)...apply what you learned to games. For example, you can create a small racing game which has some good basic car damage physics...then you can make it better by using your physics knowledge in making it even more realistic. Look at Codemaster's DiRT (and even GRID) for ideas/study material !!

Now, how is it like working in the industry ? Well, I havent actually 'worked', only interned as a programmer for a brief time and let me tell you, I learned something new everyday. Watching the senior devs code, their viewpoints, advice,criticism was just amazing. Also started to appreciate the art side more than before.Plus I got to see what it takes to create games.Being surrounded by quality people in a great environment is just awesome !!

Start small, create small games and build up from there...it will take time,energy and skill so be patient. The most important thing is to finish what you started and polish it as much as possible. Get good grades or atleast descent grades while at university and make games in your spare time...Network with people and you are on your way.

Hope it helps

AFAIK, programming is USELESS. I kinda want to become a games designer; I'm looking at finishing my software dev course and doing one of design.The_Frederick

This could be the dumbest move of your life.

AFAIK, programming is USELESS. I kinda want to become a games designer; I'm looking at finishing my software dev course and doing one of design.The_Frederick

AFAIK, programming is USELESS. I kinda want to become a games designer; I'm looking at finishing my software dev course and doing one of design.The_Frederick

huh ? :|

Game designers arent hired straight from college mate...you gotta have some experience in the games industry first as a programmer/artist/QA/Management on published titles to have a shout at it. Game design is one of the most misunderstood jobs on earth

To Ghost_702:

I go to UCSB and physics is really hardcore here. And no matter where you go, grad school in physics is INSANE. You work 60-80 hours a week and get paid very little (not because youre forced to, but because you need to put that much time into your research to be competitive)

To gm84:

It's interesting that the most important thing is the portfolio, in some ways that is inspiring because it means I can shift gears more smoothly just be doing my own little side projects, and not have to get a double major (which would be impossible if I want to finish in 4 years total). However, even as an undergrad my physics research takes a huge portion of my time, and I have very little extra time to devote to side projects.

Would joining a mod team be a good place to start? I also have all sorts of ideas for mods, but I know that I would need other people, especially artists.

To crucifine:

I think that's a good point about getting stuck working on a project that is not interesting. And while I like your point about certain game companies starting out as a group of people who did not have programming degrees, does that really still happen in the modern day? I mean, I know Valve originated in the modding community, but back in those days, the video games industry wasnt nearly as big as it is today. With huge companies out there cranking out bestselling games, does that kind of thing still happen where a handful of people start a successful game company?

Also, no offense to the people who have already posted, but can I get some input from anyone here who actually has a full time job in the industry about what their job is like?

Also, no offense to the people who have already posted, but can I get some input from anyone here who actually has a full time job in the industry about what their job is like?

kensaimarine

I think this is the wrong place to look for someone with a job in the industry. The people that visit this site just like following the industry.

[QUOTE="The_Frederick"]AFAIK, programming is USELESS. I kinda want to become a games designer; I'm looking at finishing my software dev course and doing one of design.crucifine

Hey I didn't know you're going to school for programming :D I'm majoring in CIS (programming basically) as well.

Would joining a mod team be a good place to start? I also have all sorts of ideas for mods, but I know that I would need other people, especially artists.

To crucifine:

I think that's a good point about getting stuck working on a project that is not interesting. And while I like your point about certain game companies starting out as a group of people who did not have programming degrees, does that really still happen in the modern day? I mean, I know Valve originated in the modding community, but back in those days, the video games industry wasnt nearly as big as it is today. With huge companies out there cranking out bestselling games, does that kind of thing still happen where a handful of people start a successful game company?

Also, no offense to the people who have already posted, but can I get some input from anyone here who actually has a full time job in the industry about what their job is like?

kensaimarine

To gm84:

It's interesting that the most important thing is the portfolio, in some ways that is inspiring because it means I can shift gears more smoothly just be doing my own little side projects, and not have to get a double major (which would be impossible if I want to finish in 4 years total). However, even as an undergrad my physics research takes a huge portion of my time, and I have very little extra time to devote to side projects.

Would joining a mod team be a good place to start? I also have all sorts of ideas for mods, but I know that I would need other people, especially artists.

kensaimarine

I can understand your situation...you have to manage your time and make a decision on what project you want to create. You dont need 5 games to showcase....Even one good game you develop is a catalyst for employment.

Joining a mod team is indeed a good idea...I suggest you take a look at different games that you can creat a mod in...e.g. Doom,Oblivion,Crysis, Unreal Tournament. I would also recommend joining a team which is local and with whom you can interact in person...find people with interest in game development in your university and you might be surprised at the response.

There is an exception to everything...anything is possible and you can creat a company today which can be the new id/Valve of the future....loads of variables/factors come into the picture so I'll just say nothing is impossible, but you have be realistic to an extent.

Have you read the website I suggested ? You will also find the following websites very useful

www.gamedev.net

www.igda.org/forums

www.gamecareerguide.com

Good luck :)

[QUOTE="The_Frederick"]AFAIK, programming is USELESS. I kinda want to become a games designer; I'm looking at finishing my software dev course and doing one of design.crucifine

Not really. A monkey can program. It's what ELSE you can do which makes you important.

[QUOTE="The_Frederick"]AFAIK, programming is USELESS. I kinda want to become a games designer; I'm looking at finishing my software dev course and doing one of design.XaosII

This could be the dumbest move of your life.

How so? I won't be able to make it as a coder. But I have ideas, which means I can do design.

[QUOTE="The_Frederick"]AFAIK, programming is USELESS. I kinda want to become a games designer; I'm looking at finishing my software dev course and doing one of design.gm84

huh ? :|

Game designers arent hired straight from college mate...you gotta have some experience in the games industry first as a programmer/artist/QA/Management on published titles to have a shout at it. Game design is one of the most misunderstood jobs on earth

See, I live in AUSTRALIA. We get industry experience during university courses. And you CAN get hired into an entry-level design position straight from uni, with enough persistence and an decent portfolio.

[QUOTE="XaosII"]

[QUOTE="The_Frederick"]AFAIK, programming is USELESS. I kinda want to become a games designer; I'm looking at finishing my software dev course and doing one of design.The_Frederick

This could be the dumbest move of your life.

How so? I won't be able to make it as a coder. But I have ideas, which means I can do design.

Your dislike for programming means you entered the computer scinece field with doubt. You didnt really know what you wanted to to do.

Thats bad.

You'll never get hired over someone that went into any area of discipline with enjoyment.

You "kinda" want to be a game designer? You also "kinda" have no real idea what it is you want to do. I have very little doubt that you also have no clue, whatsoever, what a game designer does and you ill simply fall into the same problem as your software development course and becaome disillusioned by the actual process.

I can't even begin to point out the flaws you've said with every word you've typed. You won't make itas a coder, because you've given up on - maybe because you didn't like it? Fine. But you apparently felt as though you've learned nothing. Thats a poor attitude to take.

Your "i have ideas" statement.... I... Wow... every gamer in the world belives they have a great gaming idea, but that doesnt mean they can be a game designer. Whats makes your ideas so special, especially from someone who isn't even sure they want to be a game designer?

So why do i say that could be the dumbest move of your life? Your doubt makes it sound like you are just going to repeat the process over again, waste alot of money and time, and come out unhappy - again.

[QUOTE="gm84"]

[QUOTE="The_Frederick"]AFAIK, programming is USELESS. I kinda want to become a games designer; I'm looking at finishing my software dev course and doing one of design.The_Frederick

huh ? :|

Game designers arent hired straight from college mate...you gotta have some experience in the games industry first as a programmer/artist/QA/Management on published titles to have a shout at it. Game design is one of the most misunderstood jobs on earth

See, I live in AUSTRALIA. We get industry experience during university courses. And you CAN get hired into an entry-level design position straight from uni, with enough persistence and an decent portfolio.

Well, as I said, you have to have some experience in the industry..I am glad that you get it during university in Australia.

"I have ideas, which means I can do desgin"....Wrong.

Having ideas isnt enough...design is about the ability to take an idea and mould it using avaialable resources (talent,money,time,etc), taking decisions about the compromises, trying to balance the idea in such a way that it can be possible to develop it and improve as much as possible within limits. You gain that ability with more experience in the industry as a programmer/artist/QA/Managment

Entry level design positions are few but they are NOT Game Design positions....it will be junior LEVEL design...I can understand that you dont like programming much but it is not useless !! Maybe to you but its vital for game development. Having a good portfolio wont make you a game designer mate unless you are starting your own company.

I guess you took the CS degree to have it on resume and in the process, learned that programming isnt your thing and you have loads of ideas (like everybody else) and just want to give your ideas to the staff and sit back and wait for the game to come out.

I fine at programming; I'm one of the best in the class. But I'm not John Carmack, I'm just a cog. I pretty much wanted to do design all along, and programming is a way there.The_Frederick