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Best Education Path To Learn Video Game Programming?

Posted by Soulskill on from the try-the-duke-nukem-technical-institute dept.

Proudrooster writes "Fellow Slashdotters, I have transitioned to teaching and my students have asked me what is the best path to take to work in the video game programming industry. Which would be of more benefit: pursing a Computer Science degree or taking an accelerated program like those at FullSail? I have a CS degree, and suspect that the CS degree would be of more benefit in the long run, but I would like anyone in the industry to share their wisdom and experience with my students trying to follow in your footsteps. If you could recommend some programs in your replies it would be appreciated." A couple other questions that might help those students: what non-academic methods would you recommend to students looking for a career in the games industry? What projects and tools are good starting points for learning the ropes?

4 of 240 comments (clear)

  1. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 3, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  2. Roman warships by PietjeJantje · · Score: 3, Funny

    The best way to prepare for the video game industry is to work as a slave rower on a Roman warship.

  3. First, get some work in... by HeckRuler · · Score: 2, Funny

    First, get some work in a salt mine. But not in America. You should hunt down a third world salt mine, preferably one with an oppressive regime and bosses whose lives are tied to production.
    Once you get used to the hours, the whips, the festering wounds, and the ubiquitous taste of pain, then you will have proven yourself capable of dealing with the game development atmosphere, and it's time to go get some technical skill.

    Of course, that's assuming that you want to go into "the industry" and get a paycheck.
    If you just want to make games, then go be an indie developer, learn by doing, and STARVE (unless you strike gold).

  4. Re:Just do it by Xyrus · · Score: 2, Funny

    OLD GAME PROGRAMMER

    Hello gamers. How are you doing? Fantastic. Do you program games? No. Can you program games? Yes. Do you want to? I don't know...

    Do you want share a cubicle with someone that smells like stale cheetos and pork farts? Do you want your game to to have the same quality as that produced by 14 nights of sleep deprivation in a caffeine induced haze while having delusions of being the next John Carmack? Of course you do.

    Swan dive...into the unemployment line when you show up for work and the doors are locked.

    So do you want to program like an old game programmer? You tell me.

    --
    ~X~