Re: Game Industry Saturation + Future?

[shepherd]

Guys, I'm sorry to revive this thread but I have an important decision to make. I have just graduated with a diploma in IT specializing in games dev, I havent decided what I want to do for college yet, should I continue pursuing this path?

Game design (specifically coding) is my passion but I just had a serious talk with my parents and they said that it is not a well paying job and I shouldn't waste time/money going into it further. Any successful game devs here care to share their experiences?

[tsloper]

Shep wrote:

1. Guys, I'm sorry to revive this thread but I have an important decision to make.
2. I have just graduated with a diploma in IT specializing in games dev,
3. I havent decided what I want to do for college yet,
4. should I continue pursuing this path?
5. Game design (specifically coding) is my passion
6. but I just had a serious talk with my parents and they said that it is not a well paying job and I shouldn't waste time/money going into it further.

1. That very old thread was better off dormant. As soon as you reopened it, somebody started responding to something somebody said four years ago. We don't need that. So I moved your post to its own thread. It's easy to start a new thread. You really didn't need to necro an old one.
2. Not sure quite what that is. It's what, a two-year degree?
3. How to make a decision:
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson25.htm
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/m70.htm
4. Is it your passion? If it is, then you should.
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson40.htm
5. Coding and game design are two different things. Both are subsets of game development, but neither is a subset of the other.
6. You should show them the 2011 game industry salary survey. Not sure what they're comparing game salaries to -- if they're comparing them to salaries in teaching, they're wrong. If they're comparing them to salaries in law or non-game programming or surgery, they're right.
http://www.gamecareerguide.com/featu...urvey_2011.php

[yaustar]

I say I am earning a fair bit now. Not as much as I would if I was programming in the banking industry but still decent.

[jqueeng02]

That is really a tough decision...choosing a between a high paying job and doing what you love...We are all caught in this kind of dilemma one point in our lives...There a lot of good sites in the net that will enlighten you in making the right decisions...

[shepherd]

Thanks for the info folks, really helpful! I've decided to go ahead with being a game programmer! Even if I become a banker and get a shitload of money, that's not the way I want to live..I rather be happy doing what I love.