Career-type question

Well, you''ll definetly want to major in anything dealing in computers. I would suggest Computer Science or even Computer Programming if your school of choice has it. I think UCLA (or some school in Cali)is starting up a Game Programming course, a school in Texas (Dallas??) has a course where they make a full game over the course of the year in a seperate facility. Then there''s also Full Sail and Digipen, which are technical schools focused on Game Design and Programming. However, a word of warning - going through college and getting a degree in Computer Science won''t land you a job. They don''t teach DirectX or OpenGL, or anything else you''ll need to make games (althogh Comp Sci is good for optomization techniques). Therefore make sure you''re still self-studying so when you get out of college you''ll have a nice degree and the programming knowledge needed. Hope this helps

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"Need more eeenput..."

- #5, "Short Circuit"
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great, thanks, also should I toss out Software Engineering?

Don''t toss out software engineering or computer science, they will help you to get a job, but they will not guarantee you a job, as you will need to know either DirectX or OpenGL, and Windows API programming to get a job programming games.

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Please state the nature of the debugging emergency.

sharewaregames.20m.com

Thanks for the clarification there, Furby. And thanks for the kind words there Anon.

Freakaziod -

Yeah, basically anything computer-related you can get your grubby little hands on, do it. The more, the better as it allows a wider range of jobs once you clear the gates. I could even go so far as to say college isn''t even a must to be a games programmer, although at this day and age, the technology is quickly requiring it (especially the complex 3D math - hoo boy ). I know a lot of people will contest me on that last point, but the truth is we''re on the threshold, and in the next few years, not going through college won''t be an option. Since there is yet no real degree in games programming, skipping college is just barely acceptable. Of course, to balance the fact that you missed out on four years of education, you''d better have a damn good portfolio of programs and certifications so you can demonstrate to an employer that you really are who you say you are. OK, the fountain''s running dry for now. I''ll spout some more if need arises. Until then, good luck.

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"Need more eeenput..."

- #5, "Short Circuit"
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Well Now,

Freakazoid:

I am currently looking at 4 to 5 years in education. I will either spend 2 years at college and then 3 at University doing Comp. Sco. Or I might stay on and do only another 2 (4 altogether) at college. On the plus I only do 4 it isn''t quite as good as a degree but I''ll have around £6,000 to spend on books ans stuf to help me. Also I can take some small 6 month courses on other languages to boost my qualifications.

And hey I''m half way through the last year (year 2) of college And the I''ve only made 2 text adventures and am working on crude side scroller and a maze game. I only know C up to the basic thing s upto and including arrays, records, file handling..But creating bitmaps and and sounds or graphics of any kind is not in my knowledge that will be taught after these first 2 years when I will learn advanced AI, OOP (C++ & Java script).

But don''t get me wrong I think that being embraced in Pasca, HTML, How to design a program, coding habits, algorithms, testing, all about variables, assembly and loads of other stuff really helped set a foundation and I''m glad I have that knowledge.

SO basically learn from any source wether it be the Net or books or small or large courses. Learn as much as you can...Good Luck...

STVOY

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Pyre Light Studios (Under Construction)

Great, thanks for the responses! It really helps me out!