Whats the best step?

[kahanejosh]

Hi

I am looking to goto university and take a game development course (currently at year 13 sixth form) and I was wondering if I took a gap year, is there anything i could so specifically which would help game/development wise? I program in my free time already and that would be a large commitment.

If I got a job, is there anything in specific that would help? If I found a software development company of some sort, where might they put me? (Presumably, cleaning up and making tea? I would be looking for a kind of work experience placement I guess.

Linked in with that, if university no longer becomes an option, how would I get a first step into the games industry? I want to be a programmer.

[kbaxter]

If you could get a job doing QA at a game studio or publisher, that would be great experience. It's also a great first step into the industry, although if you want to do programming, you'd be much better off with a CS degree.

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by kahanejosh

if university no longer becomes an option, how would I get a first step into the games industry? I want to be a programmer.

Spend four years honing your programming skills while making at least two complete games, not necessarily all by yourself.

[yaustar]

Are you talking about a gap year between Sixth form and the first year of University?

[kahanejosh]

Yes thats correct.

[yaustar]

Originally Posted by kahanejosh

If I got a job, is there anything in specific that would help?

Anything that would get you in a games studio that is part of the development process.

If I found a software development company of some sort, where might they put me?

Junior programmer. QA. Failing that, they wouldn't hire you in the first place.

Linked in with that, if university no longer becomes an option, how would I get a first step into the games industry? I want to be a programmer.

Program. Make stuff. Make contacts. Get lucky.