What does it really take to become a games programmer

Lee · #1 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 02:00 PM

Hey,

I was looking into what it really takes to become a games programmer apart from the obvious skills in C++, some graphics and imaginative mind.

I came across an article on some university's web page that answers the question well in a paragraph (about a year old)...

Quote:

There is currently only one way of getting a job as a game programmer, and that is to write a game - or more properly, write what is known in the industry as a game demo. These days, a typical commercial game might take a million lines of C++ code written by a team of programmers over a period of years with a budget of tens of millions of dollars. As a novice game programmer, you are obviously not going to be able to compete in that arena. But you can and should write a fully functional game of about 10,000 lines of C++ code that shows off what you do best. Game companies are less interested in your resume than in what you have done. So write a game, burn it on a CD, and send it with your resume to the game companies that you would like to work for. If they like it, you may strike it lucky.

I was not surprised to see about having to write a game but 10,000 lines of code i was pretty knocked over by lol, i know its not much if it was an industry game, its nothing in there case, anyway on my recent quest in C++/Directx i have decided that if this is the area i want to go in its the thing i need to do.

I was wondering what you thought about the article? i know its true for a fact, my friends friend about a year ago (think he was aged 14/15 at time) sent a game he made off to EA, i am sure you have all heard of them, if you have not then you should be shot

anyway after they looked at his game he was later offered a contract subject to passing through high-school, college and university (he will be into college this year). Not bad for someone that age eh?

HelloWorld · #2 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 04:36 PM

Damn, that's crazy!! Thanx Lee for the info

Quote:

Game companies are less interested in your resume than in what you have done. So write a game, burn it on a CD, and send it with your resume to the game companies that you would like to work for. If they like it, you may strike it lucky.

That one right there is really deep, I think I should work on something that can be useful. But I need that time!!! I've been always very busy with school craps these days... well, hopefully on my 2 weeks of summer break I can do something

Actually, I used to be interested in Game Development too, I probably should give it a shot too in the later times. I'm planning to get Torque Game Builder or Torque Game Engine, what do you think Lee, which one should I get? I actually loved so much with Geometry Wars and hope that I can make my own version (with my imagination), but I'm still wondering whether that's a 2D or 3D!!!??? It seems to me like half half... but one of the GarageGames person told me that it's 2D and I should just get TGB if I want to create 2D games, but 3D are really popular these days too!!! (damn.. I'm just too confused haha...)

More math for 3D games though

Lee · #3 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 04:39 PM

Well my tools are just the DirectX SDK and Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition at the moment lol.

A lot of games that look 3D are often 2D i found out that you could make a game with a 3D map and a 2D character so it maybe a bit of both, you never know lol.

HelloWorld · #4 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

Well my tools are just the DirectX SDK and Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition at the moment lol.

A lot of games that look 3D are often 2D i found out that you could make a game with a 3D map and a 2D character so it maybe a bit of both, you never know lol.

LOL!!! You played Ragnarok Online before huh? That game was pretty cool I think, 2D imagination character with 3D background

Lee · #5 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 04:42 PM

No i have not but i have heard of it, i started to download it once, saw it was massive so i left it on over night only to find it had cut out so i just didnt bother.

HelloWorld · #6 (**permalink**) 07-21-2007, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

No i have not but i have heard of it, i started to download it once, saw it was massive so i left it on over night only to find it had cut out so i just didnt bother.

LOL!!! I used to get addicted with that game for about 2 months!!! And then I get bored because it's too focused on the leveling up XD They were all trying to be level 99 lol...

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