Whichever route you choose, put all your emphasis on becoming a proficient programmer. Coasting will only leave you ill-equipped for interviews and the job in question.
Each aspect of game programming takes a lot of time to master. Studying computer science in depth is more likely to equip you with the necessary skills to tackle each one, even if those skills aren’t directly applied to games during the course of your studies. If you do consider a specialized degree, research the people who are teaching it. Professors who understand the concepts of game programming, but who have never worked in the field themselves, may not be the best people to learn from.
Actionscript Assembly C Java Objective-C Python Swift
Keep it basic. Don’t worry about revolutionizing games as you know it. To make an analogy, write a simple short story, not James Joyce’s Ulysses. Copy another game if needed. The purpose here is to learn, not to be original. Borrow another game’s concept and build on it if you’re stuck for ideas. Do everything yourself. Don’t rely on using outside vector/math libraries. Make all aspects a DIY project in order to increase your proficiency. Finish it! You want to grow familiar with the whole process, so follow through all the way to the end. Don’t abandon it just because you’ve already finished your favorite aspect of programming.
Titles and departments may vary from company to company, but generally programming is divided between: artificial intelligence; animation; audio; build systems; engines; gameplay; networking; physics; rendering; tools; and user interface.
References from industry insiders. Extended contacts with people in the field. More familiarity with the day-to-day reality of the job.
Whatever your demo might be, make it perfect. Don’t try to wow interviewers with something overly complex if you can’t get it right. Showcase something simple and flawless instead.
This isn’t a guarantee that you’ll get hired, but you’re less likely to be up against programming rockstars with way more experience than you.
In addition to your technical skills, demonstrating a working knowledge of both the company and the game business at large in your interview should raise your standing among other candidates. [10] X Research source
Reaching out through online forums, social media, and professional networks to meet people in the field. Staying in frequent contact with current or former classmates and professors. Attending conferences and conventions.
Reaching out through online forums, social media, and professional networks to meet people in the field. Staying in frequent contact with current or former classmates and professors. Attending conferences and conventions.
Reflecting on your interviews, resume, and demos to identify and improve weak points. Following up with a thank-you letter or email to interviewers for being considered at all. Asking for pointers on areas in which they think you need improvement.
Obviously, taking math courses is a great way to strengthen your skills. But perhaps even better for the aspiring game developer are the multitude of math games available for download. Kill two birds with one stone and explore games that you may not have otherwise sampled.
