Page 1 of 1

Question

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 9:15 pm
by method_man
I am thinking of becomeing a video game programmer after highschool and college for programming ps2 games and im wondering what kind of classes i should take, and programming the games uses the language of C right? and also, does anyone here program ps2 games for any company?

thanks,

matt

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 9:42 pm
by Skara
Probably C++. But realize that if you're still in HS then it's going to be years before you get a job there. By that time there'll likely be a PS4 or 5.
I've heard this many times, and I'll tell you like I've told everyone else.

First, don't set your sights on Playstation. Don't even set your sites on Nintendo or Playstation. If you really want to program games and nothing else, then simply stay with that--"I want to program games." Though you'll be much better off if you broaden it to "I want to program."
Second, don't plan on just going to college to learn to program games--that's most certainly not what you'll be doing. The market today is C++ first, then VB, then other things. But the market may very well be different 5 years from now. Go to college, take two or three programming courses, then decide if you really want to program for a living. ;)

Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 9:45 pm
by method_man
by ps2 i ment playstation in general :D i made mistake
also im sure i want to program games :D

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 4:16 am
by timvw
Most gameboxes offer an SDK (but usually costs quite a bit of $$$). There is way too much work to program a game like Quake 666 or whatever.

So you will have to ask yourself: Do i want to become an artist? And make the characters and learn tools like 3D Studio? Or do i want to be a coder and learn api's like OpenGL and DirectX?

Imho, get some decent programming courses.. Hopefully you'll get a nice job and can spend your spare time programming a game with some friends :)

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 4:41 am
by CoderGoblin
I agree here with others, learn baseline programming (don't necessarily learn only C++ as you need very good basic programming skills to begin with). Never restrict yourself by saying I only want to develop games. The game developer market is highly competitive and you do not want to restrict yourself later on in life. (By the way I have heard game programmers often earn less than standard programmers for the same skill level)

Amit's Game Programming Information is probably a useful site to look into. It has it one section with the following

"...Don't limit yourself to computer science. Learn math (vector algebra in particular is useful for 3D games, and calculus lets you handle continuous motion more efficiently), writing/communication (good communication is essential when you need to convey information to the user), drama (storytelling is common in games), economics (especially for strategy games), physics (object motion and collision is straight from physics), and whatever else seems interesting..."

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 7:41 am
by feyd
a lot of schools (in the states) are starting to offer "game programming" type coures.. most are a joke however. The list quoted by CoderGoblin is a pretty good one to follow. I would add Art History to it as well. Maybe some law courses. Lots of writing courses and math.

Don't go through the "game programming" courses at the colleges and high schools, they often stink. Unless the school is specifically directed at game programming, it'll very likely suck. FYI: Full Sail should only be looked at if you want to be a game designer, more than a programmer.

Posted: Wed Jun 08, 2005 12:16 pm
by method_man
thanks for the responses :D