How to enter Video/Computer game industry?

[TheReturnofDMD]

What are some good tips on entering the video/computer game industry?

[kindofdoon]

I'm no expert, but a background and/or degree in computer science would probably be helpful.

[TheReturnofDMD]

I'm no expert, but a background and/or degree in computer science would probably be helpful.

No can do. The school where I go to requires good math test scores to even be eligible enter ANY CS program. That leaves me out.

[GoneTooLong]

In my opinion you're looking at this from the wrong angle. Rather than say "I want to get into X industry", you should probably try to say "what specific job/role genuinely interests me?" and go from there. If it happens to fit into the video game industry, then so be it.

[KatieHal]

Apply for a QA testing job. They pay crap, and they make you lowest on the totem pole, but they are pretty much the tried and true gateway into the industry. You don't necessarily need to be a programmer to do QA either, so that helps in some cases.

[wilco64256]

Apply for a QA testing job. They pay crap, and they make you lowest on the totem pole

Aw crap.

[Rosella]

Awww, don't worry Weldon. Remember, they're paying you twice as much as any of us. That's as much as Cesar's making!

[Fierce Deity]

Yeah, Weldon. You're the exception to the rule. Katie wasn't referring to you.

[wilco64256]

Hahaha I know, it's just funny the way she phrased it.  I literally lol'd.

[kindofdoon]

I'm no expert, but a background and/or degree in computer science would probably be helpful.

No can do. The school where I go to requires good math test scores to even be eligible enter ANY CS program. That leaves me out.

Well, that doesn't really seem to make sense to me, but if you're really behind the idea, you might consider boosting your math scores by any means possible.

[Fierce Deity]

I'm no expert, but a background and/or degree in computer science would probably be helpful.

No can do. The school where I go to requires good math test scores to even be eligible enter ANY CS program. That leaves me out.

Well, that doesn't really seem to make sense to me, but if you're really behind the idea, you might consider boosting your math scores by any means possible.

I was gonna say the same thing. If you are going for a goal or a dream of yours, they'll be some necessary evils for you to overcome. If math isn't your thing, but you need it to get into a Computer Science program, then start hitting the books.

[Cez]

Either that (QA route) or get some experience by working on a volunteer game

I got my job at Activision in 06 and then with Telltale, because of my experience with TSL.

Cez

[Tage7]

If you want to be a programmer, you most likely will need to learn C++ like it was the back of your hand; however, they're not the only people that work on games in the industry. Level designers, artists, musicians, writers, etc. may not necessarily need an extensive knowledge of programming methodologies, theories, etc. You don't necessarily need to be a programmer with a degree.

If you're into 3D games, I suggest looking into creating your own Source, Unreal, or Crytek maps. Once you're good at that, look into joining a team working on something groundbreaking.

If you're into 2D games, I suggest looking into creating your own Flash games. Flash has a thriving community with people always looking to form teams.

Both routes could potentially lead to a full-time job.

The people who worked on the extremely popular Warcraft III map Defense of the Ancients (DotA) got hired by various companies. The guys who made Counter-Strike, hired. The guys who made Day of Defeat, hired. The guys working on Alien Swarm, hired. The team from DigiPen who made Narbacular Drop, hired to work on Portal. The team from DigiPen who made Tag, hired to work on Portal 2. I make no guess at what any of these people's educational qualifications were, but the fact that working on good games gets you hired is clearly evident.

Also, if you have enough heart to take the ups and downs, you could try to start your own indie game company.

[kindofdoon]

I love Tag and Narbacular Drop - it's very cool that Valve hired those guys to work on Portal.

[TheReturnofDMD]

My ideal--future goal--would be to be a CEO, COO or President of a company--Perhaps through even starting my own. Or perhaps even just an R&D and product advisory role. I want a company which is diverse--an empire in the way that Sierra was from 1994-1997 (which acted as an umbrella publisher for very different, largely independent subsidiaries who only shared resources, sales and marketing but had creative autonomy).


Sierra in those days was:

Sierra Northwest (Bellevue) [The big name games like Phantas, King's Quest and Gabriel Knight as well as Print Artist, Hoyle, Gardening and Home development software, some action games)
Sierra Publishing (Oakhurst) [Adventure games such as Quest for Glory and some 3D games]
Dynamix (Oregon) (Flight Simulator and Action Games)
Papyrus (City and historical simulation games)
Synergistic Software (RPG and Action games)
Impressions (NASCAR racing games)
Coktel (Weird Adventure games)
Headgate (Golf Games)
Books that Work, Inc (Educational software; absorbed into Bellevue)
PyroTechnix (Action and RPG games, absorbed into Bellevue)
Berkley Systems (wacky games like "You Don't Know Jack", absorbed into Bellevue)
Pixellite Group (Print Artist, absorbed into Bellevue)
Green Thumb Software (Home Improvement and Gardening Software, absorbed into Bellevue)
Arion Software (Cooking software, absorbed into Bellevue)
SubLogic (Sub games and 3D action games, absorbed into Dynamix)

[Tage7]

My ideal--future goal--would be to be a CEO, COO or President of a company--Perhaps through even starting my own. Or perhaps even just an R&D and product advisory role. I want a company which is diverse--an empire in the way that Sierra was from 1994-1997 (which acted as an umbrella publisher for very different, largely independent subsidiaries who only shared resources, sales and marketing but had creative autonomy).


Sierra in those days was:

Sierra Northwest (Bellevue) [The big name games like Phantas, King's Quest and Gabriel Knight as well as Print Artist, Hoyle, Gardening and Home development software, some action games)
Sierra Publishing (Oakhurst) [Adventure games such as Quest for Glory and some 3D games]
Dynamix (Oregon) (Flight Simulator and Action Games)
Papyrus (City and historical simulation games)
Synergistic Software (RPG and Action games)
Impressions (NASCAR racing games)
Coktel (Weird Adventure games)
Headgate (Golf Games)

It's pretty simple to make games in a small team these days. That might be your best option. I offer no good ideas on all the legal stuff you have to go through to become one of the big boys though.