To Any And All Video Game Designers/Programmers

What did it take to become one?

What are the benefits of being one?

Do you make a good salary?

Do you regret becoming one?

Sorry, I'm not a game designer, I'm only in high school, but I've researched this before.

If you want to become a game programmer, basically all you need is sufficient programming experience and a love for video games. If you want to start programming I recommend taking a class for learning a high-level programming language, as it will make it much easier to pick up one (or more) of the middle-level languages typically used in game design.

Right now I'm learning java, which I don't recommend as a first language (I was misinformed, I thought the class was for BASIC and C++). It's not real useful in coding games. If I were you, I would start off with something like python, I've heard it's a good starting language, and then you can work your way up to something like C++ (the most commonly used language in game development) and then you're good to go.

The obvious benefit to being a game designer is that you get to make games how you want. Way more fun than most other jobs. To the hardcore gamer, it's like the coolest job in the world. And, umm... you could brag about it I guess.

I'm pretty sure game have a slightly lower than average wage compared to other programmers, but still decent. I think the average for game developers is like65k/yr while the average of all computer programmers is like 80k (not completely sure about my numbers).

Yeah like I said, I'm not a game designer ATM, but hopefully I was helpful.

What did it take to become one?

What are the benefits of being one?

Do you make a good salary?

Do you regret becoming one?

enfroy10

I studied to become a 3d game artist. I just graduated from college a few months ago and have already worked on a few independent games. The only thing I have to say is that making games is very hard work. The pay is great but you won't have the free time to spend the money. If you're going to take classes to become an artist, make sure you take many 3d modeling and texturing classes, or in other words Game Art classes. Don't get confused with Graphic Design. That is a whole other field. Make sure you know you're programs such as 3D Studio Max, Maya, XSI, Photoshop, Mudbox or Z Brush. Making mods for counter strike, Unreal Tournament and Call of Duty 4 is a good start. Once you figure out what you're good at, focus more on that. The point is to try to be better than the rest in skill. Even a degree in game art would help a lot when finding jobs.

But the one thing that everyone forgets about is, if you have a boyfriend, girlfriend, wife or husband, make sure they know what you're getting into. Doing art or programming for games takes a lot of time. So if the other person has no idea what it takes, then it will usually end up in separation. oh snap!!!

[QUOTE="enfroy10"]

What did it take to become one?

What are the benefits of being one?

Do you make a good salary?

Do you regret becoming one?

donmega1