Video Game Designers...

MilitantB0B · 2003-09-14, 10:27 PM

So, we had a discussion about what we want to go to college for in school today. Before I had always said I was going to do something in computer science or computer hardware engineering, but I realized if I did I would probably be working on the boreing side of computing. Thats when i figured that somebody had to be making all those games I enjoy (no, this isn't the first time i thought of devs, just the first time I thought I could be one

). Now thats what I am looking to be.

That being said, doies anybody have any clue as to how to become a video game designer? I know of one very prestigous school by the name of digipen, but they only take in 200 a year, so it is very competitive. Does anybody else know where a person could go to school to learn a thing like that?

Derfud · 2003-09-14, 10:34 PM

Check in the last pages of PC gamer magazine, they usually have ads for schools that do that kind of stuff. The only one I cna think of right now is Full Sail (http://www.fullsail.com/).

Otis · 2003-09-15, 12:03 AM

Theres a school out in Seattle for game desiging or something, I forget what it's called. Some of their students don't get to finish their classes. Not becouse of flunking but becouse companies like Sony or Activision are picking them up. Try looking into it, I might see'ya there

OmnipotentKiwi · 2003-09-15, 12:06 AM

The way my cousin got into the gaming world (He created Age of Wonders, and was a programer for Age of Wonders II, got shafted on credit, but it was his), was by creating a game and then it getting picked up partway through the development process. You need a "foot in the door" so to speak. Anything helps. MMOs also recruit from the community if you actually live in the area and are a huge contributer.

So basically:
A. Live somewhere convenient.
B. Do something to get your foot in the door.

Flammey · 2003-09-15, 12:35 AM

Being a Developer isn't easy. Being a programmer, for some, is down right grueling. Make sure you figure out right away if programming is for you......

Robot · 2003-09-15, 12:45 AM

Originally posted by OmnipotentKiwi
(He created Age of Wonders, and was a programer for Age of Wonders II, got shafted on credit, but it was his)

tell your cousin he rules

OmnipotentKiwi · 2003-09-15, 10:07 AM

Hehe. Trust me, he knows.

Damn bastard with full access to E3, and frequent trips to Eastern Europe.

Happy lil Elf · 2003-09-15, 10:48 AM

To the original question it's not an easy job, generally underappreciated by both gamers and your boss, and you have about as much job security as decaf coffee has caffine. But it does pay rather well and if you're a creative person and can express your ideas well probably something you'd love.

Squick · 2003-09-15, 11:05 AM

Where did you hear it pays well Happy lil' Elf? The most recient surveys I have seen show that the average game programmer makes $32,000 a year. The average application programmer makes closer to $60,000 a year.

If you are thinking producer or one of the executive positions is more what interests you, actually designing the game, then you need to spend a long time in college my friend... I would say you should go for a MBA for starters, then head off to get a second 4 or 6 year degree in art of some sort. Remmember, how many PC games come out every year and make it big? 10 at most I would say... So that is 10 game designers that made some 'real' money...

Game designing, game programming, game testing, all of those are "fantasy-fun" jobs... You may think it is fun to be a game tester, till you find out you are making minimum wage to press the space key while facing every single surface of a game. Oh, and they removed all the monsters, lighting, and textures so it runs faster for you, anyways those things would just get in the way... Sounds like *fun* to me!

Squick

Happy lil Elf · 2003-09-15, 12:30 PM

That's what I was talking about was the design aspect of it. Yeah if you're looking at the programming part of game creation no it doesn't pay very well although that depends entirely upon where you're located. 32k where I live would be plenty but in say California would be nothing.

OmnipotentKiwi · 2003-09-15, 02:04 PM

Unless your getting royalties on a game, your pay sucks.

Even with royalties, your pay could suck anyhow. Many companies are based out of California, which means housing alone will eat up your paycheck like nothing.

My cousin went to CSU Chico, and with his pay can afford to live with his mother.

If you ever get into the gaming industry, it's definitely for love, and not money.

OmnipotentKiwi · 2003-09-15, 03:26 PM

Here's some job listings:

SOE Employment (Search with everything under any)

Mythic Entertainment

Ubisoft

Figured that would give you a decent idea of what you need for what, especially depending on which field exactly you want to get into.

Mtx · 2003-09-15, 03:52 PM

Well what does this guy want to do in gaming? Game creatures breakdown into many smaller teams anyway. We make games, for fun, at ITT Tech but no one ever wants to put porn in the games. I swear up and down that every game needs a little porn but they don't listen.. bah.

Derfud · 2003-09-15, 06:34 PM

looks like I am gonna be headed to Irvine after High-School.