Programming....

[GameProgrammer]

Ok. I want to be a computer or game programmer when I grow up. I've been taking classes on programming. So far I'm on my third class in high school on programming and one left. I'm also in 10th grade. I know VB, and some C++. What else do I need to learn? Where are some good colleges I could look into? Thanks for any help.

 

[sciencewhiz]

To be a game programmer, you are going to need a strong basis in C/C++ and then you would need to learn OpenGL/direct3d.

 

[BCYL]

Also game programming requires some AI, so knowing things like Prolog won't hurt...

 

[Engine]

A good thing to look at is the Ask Hook archives over at Voodooextreme (whenever it comes back online ) He's been asked that same question quite a few times before, and I believe he did a couple writeups on how to break into the industry. I got the impression from him that he's not a huge fan of most compsci programs at colleges. He seemed to think that a strong engineering and math background is as important or more important than a computer science degree.

 

[Adrian Tung]

To get into game programming you need to know what area you will be concentrating in. If you are into 3D programming then sound Direct3D Immediate Mode and OpenGL will definitely be required. Furthermore, a strong foundation in vector mathematics will be necessary. If you are into AI then a good foundation of AI is obviously required, etc.

Anyhow, you are going to need a strong progamming foundation in C/C++/Visual C++/MFC/DirectX as well as solid software engineering skills (ie software development methodologies, software metrics, system analysis and design, etc.) to excel as a game programmer.

FYI I am getting into the game progamming field, and next week I am beginning my new job at a small game development company (in Malaysia) as a programmer and sound designer.


Good luck!
atwl

 

[GameProgrammer]

Sounds cool Adrian Tung!
Oh yeah, I am also in honors math classes one grade above mine. And I am in science classes one grade above mine. Plus I'm taking a class on Digital Imaging.
Thanx everyone!!

 

[Doomguy]

School grades mean absolutly dick. All it shows is the amount of effort you put into a subject.

 

[Carl Uman]

Doomguy... I agree to a point but if a person is a dumb a$$ or just don't get the subject then no amount of studding is going to get good grades.

I agree with what as been said for the most part. You will need classes (such as math and science) that will help teach or promote problem solving skills.

 

[joshdoe]

I'm also very intersted in game programming, among many other fields. Right now I'm in Physics-H and next semester I'll take Trig-H. I'm a junior in high school. I am often times sort of a teachers pet, but this is because I have such a strong interest in mathematics and science, which leads me to excel. Next year I am going to the Vermont Technical College to complete my last year of high school and my first year of college together(it's paid for by the state, as well). I'll be taking the Computer Engineering course. By the way, can someone reccomend specific web sites or books for learning the important languages. I'll I've done anything with is JS, so I don't know much.

 

[Adrian Tung]

Don't forget that game programming isn't just about 3D. You have to consider other areas, such as game engine development (requiring strong software engineering skills), audio programming (DirectSound, DirectMusic, audio engineering skills), network programming (strong foundation in networking concepts, socket programming, etc), AI, tools/application programming, etc.

If everyone just narrows their field towards 3D programming, the market may one day be saturated with 3D programmers which, I am sure you will agree that, is not a good thing.

Just my 2cents worth....


atwl

 

[Ladi]

And of course, it doesn't hurt to have at least a passing knowledge of other areas of game development such as storyline development, 3d modelling, etc. At the very least, this will give you an idea of what your colleagues are working with and the limitations/strengths/purposes of their fields, as well as how your part fits into the overall development of a game.

~Ladi

 

[Agaemmon]

Personally I have found that the easiest way to get into programming is to just do it. It doesn't matter what language or how you do it, but as time goes on you will see yourself solving problems and writing code faster and faster. I am not an expert on the subject, being only 14, but I have been programming in Perl and C for the past 2 years, and as I have progresses I become better at writing the programs. I am currently writing a program to run a Knowledge Bowl Tournament at my HS for a teacher, I work on it usually 1-2 hours a day, and it really is helping me to advance, (the biggest thing I have found is that modular programming is a good thing). I hope you find what you are looking for.

 

[joshdoe]

So, any book reccomendations?

 

[Adrian Tung]

Amazon.com is a good place to start searching for books. Particularly search for books regarding DirectX, OpenGL, game programming and game design.

Of course, I would advise you to get started on C/C++/Visual C++ and gain a strong foundation in them first, if you haven't done so yet.


atwl

 

[Ladi]

There are some really *interesting* books that are worth a read if you drop by barnes&noble or borders one night...Go and look around, you might find something great that nobody thought to recommend...

~Ladi

 

[joshdoe]

So, is one book just as good as the next? I have a couple Amazon GC's lying around, so I'll get 'em there.

 

[Ladi]

Most books (though certainly not all) are created equal. As I've said..the best thing to do is to go and actually *look* at the books, see which ones fit your level of expertise/experience and look interesting to you. Then copy down ISBNs and order away

~Ladi

 

[GameProgrammer]

Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rigoletto]

I just have to say that computer books can be insanely expensive when they are first published but a year or more later when they hit the remainder stores they are not more than a third of the coverprice, so find your nearest book clearance stores!

 

[BCYL]

I agree with Rigoletto completely... especially when you are first trying to get the basics of things, you don't need the most updated book... go to your local clearance computer book store and you might find a couple of good ones there for a fraction of the cost...

 

[Rigoletto]

I wondered if computer book people price their books so high because they KNOW a lot of their books won't get sold at that cover price first time around. I find it hard to believe that they sell these books to bookstores either not on sale or return, or instead at a percentage similar to normal books' cover prices. Like maybe on a $40 book the bookstore would be crazy to buy for more than $20 the computer book.