From Programming to Design

[yudencow]

I am currently in the first year of my B.Sc. computer science degree. I want to get to work in America/Canada in game design/development of both video games and table top games. What should I do to get there? Does the degree will help me to get my foot in the door? How will I avoid becoming the next EA wife's husband?

[yaustar]

I want to get to work in America/Canada

Which country are you from and where are you studying?

both video games and table top games.

They are two different industries . Do you want advice for each?

What should I do to get there?

Getting a role in programming or scripting will be your best route at the moment. It currently has the most open jobs. Then you can see if you want to move sidewards into design.

Build up a really good portfolio of games and/or applications and network. Make sure you learn and get a good working knowledge of the programming languages used in games at the moment.

Does the degree will help me to get my foot in the door?

Help? Yes. Is the degree alone good enough? No. You need to do more then your degree.

How will I avoid becoming the next EA wife's husband?

Say no to longer hours. Research studios and found those that are well managed. Work in a country that has strict laws on overtime.

[yudencow]

I am from Israel.
I would like advice on both industries.
What do I need more than a degree to get my foot in the door to stick in real tight?
I know C#, what is used in the industry at the moment?

[tsloper]

yudencow wrote:

1. From Programming to Design
2. I am from Israel. I want to get to work in America/
3. Canada
4. in game design/development of both video games
5. and table top games.
6. What do I need more than a degree to get my foot in the door to stick in real tight?
7. I know C#, what is used in the industry at the moment?

1. Once you work in programming, yes, you can get involved in design eventually.
2. Read http://www.igda.org/games-game-july-2011
3. I can't advise you there.
4. Read http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson15.htm and http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson14.htm
5. Read http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson20.htm
6. You need a portfolio (a body of work expressing your passion and talent). Read http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson12.htm
7. You don't need to know programming to work in table games. For video games, C# is good, and C++, and Python, and Flash... Depends on the platform. Read these:
http://archive.gamedev.net/reference/start_here/
http://www.gamedev.net/index.php?app...ion=rules&f=31
http://www.gamefromscratch.com/post/...developer.aspx

[yaustar]

C++ is the most common language used at the moment. Java, Lua, Python, C#, Actionscript and other high level languages are increasing becoming more common pending on the platform.

[yudencow]

tsloper, 2 of the 3 last links are dead, but thank you. I will work on the potrfolio.

[tsloper]

Only 1 of those 3 links doesn't work - the other 2 do work. I'm traveling and jetlagged at the moment, but if you want the correct link, I can post it in a few days.