Getting into the industry......Video Games, that is!

[Jimmy]

Yes, because companies just hire people with low credentials.

Credentials aren't going to matter if the company likes what you're capable of.

Exactly. I don't think just mailing off scripts to random companies is practical, it would piss them off more than anything; there's got to be other ways of getting my name out there. Any ideas?

CTFan

If a company is looking for a scenario writer, then they won't be pissed off if a potential scenario writer sends them a portfolio. I don't know what you're getting that idea.

[Jimmy]

Bah! Everyone's doing video game design. If only those crappy commercials would stop saying "It's simple! It's easy! It takes less time than you think!" and shut up.

I think Collin's College and those other colleges are going to crap out a generation of crappy designers. It seems kind of obvious that they aren't serious about game design because the commercials are total crap.

[Extreme_Jesus]

This may sound a bit odd

but try and take History as one of your courses, History requires a lot of writing and it shows you can back up ideas which means you'll be able to tie up loose plot ends and stuff.

Obviously take english as well, but History could help tip the balance in your favour

[Sparkfist]

@Jimmy, the hardest thing about getting into programming is changing your way of thinking. For quite a time before I took the Intro Programming course I thought I had a logical thinking process. Well I learned that when you deal with computers it's all true/false, step-by-step and no interpertation. Infact one of my professors said, "One day it will just snap", so you just have to get that down and it's easier.

Also about everyone wanting to program video games. Yeah I'm sure there are a fairly big number. But how many kids also want to be NBA allstars? The difference here is that it's not talent or genetics it's brain power and we all have that.

And besides even if you don't get to work for a company that makes games professionally, you can can still do it as a hobby. You're at least doing what you want, not getting paid but it's something you enjoy.

[sam]

Yes, because companies just hire people with low credentials.

Exactly. I don't think just mailing off scripts to random companies is practical, it would piss them off more than anything; there's got to be other ways of getting my name out there. Any ideas?

CTFan

You really want to know? You have to have contacts. Parents friends etc. That know people like that. If you dont know anyone like that. Meet some join a new crowd and talk to people (maybe work somewhere gaming oriented not eb games. ) And jimmy I dont think you know what your talking about.

[Sparkfist]

I think if you want to go to the top, creativity is just as important as logical thinking.

That's way companies like Bungie and Naughty Dog have programmers (smart guys) and idea guys (right brainers). You have someone come up with the idea then you have another one make it. You're not going to find many people that are good at both, a team is the best way to go.

[Jimmy]

And jimmy I dont think you know what your talking about.

Dude, shut up. I've already worked on several small games as a pixel editor, and I think I know about getting a job in the industry.

[teraflop122]

Well, I agree with Jimmy on the point that those commercials ARE rather pathetic. In some of them they don't even attempt to display anything remotely like actualy 3D rendering!

Anyway, CTFan, you'll have a much larger opportunity to make contacts during college, where internships and info fairs will regularly bring you and employers together. Don't worry about mailing your portfolio out to random companies. First you'd apply for a job at each of the places. Then the interested employers will ask you specifically what job experience you have, and you whip out the portfolio.

For now, try to get enough stuff published as possible, such as newspaper articles and (well, bits of) games. Generally speaking, the moment you contribute to a sold product, your name will start circulating about.

[Jimmy]

CTfan, if you want to try working on games for a portfolio, a great site with a great community is www.gamedev.net/community/forums

They also have a part of the site where gaming companies list new jobs for people that they need.

[gamer2]

im in the same boat as CTF here. I want to get into the game industry, but i have no programming Skills, i cant memorise code easilly. i figured Charactor/Level Design but my drawing abilites are sub par. I am very profiscent in Story lines and story development. What should i do.

[Jimmy]

Then be a writer.

[gamer2]

I was thinking that, but what companies are hiring a writer?

G2

[Jimmy]

http://www.gamedev.net/gamejobs/

Check there.

[cennar]

school and univeristy will show you nothing more than the tools. all you have to do is chose witch tools sute you the best for your expression.

[Sword_Gun]

You could say Im sort of in the industry.
I have connections if You ever need a job.

Im a Beta Tester, for various companies that are in the videogaming range, and No Im not a "Open Beta tester", Im a "closed Beta Tester", and a Alpha Tester.

Everyone starts off somewhere man.

Im not a normal kid either, people play sports, I play Halo, I spen 15+ hours a day, coding, beta testing, and just playing games. Im not fat, Im actually fit, I hardly eat also.

If You think coding is too linear, well your right it is, but you need to start somewhere, I suggest:

www.cplusplus.com
http://www.bloodshed.net/

Cplusplus, is a website thats teaches you step by step how to use C++, Blood shed is a site that you can get a Dev Program.