Daily. I'm 21 and I still haven't a clue what I'm going to want to be doing for the rest of my life. Then again, I don't think anyone does.
General > Off-Topic
Ever wondered about your career choise?
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Deadzergling Author
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Kind of silly to think any of us will really know what we are gonna do over all, think I went from Entomologist to Elementary Teacher to High School Math Teacher to Programmer/Developer.
Anyways, for just messing with programming, I would recommend something like Java or C# for just learning some basics. They are so much kinder than C and C plus plus, lol. Books/Tutorials are boring, my suggestion to you is to come up with a project you would love to make happen, and learn what you need to put that project into motion. For example, early on my programming, I decided to make a real basic space invaders grossly misusing picture boxes in C#. Through that learned more about object collision, how to make basic health bars, some really lame depictions of animations, and some really good uses of the old a^2 + b^2 = c^2 and slope formula, lol.
So if you want figuring it out to be more fun, and actually be able to remember some of it, make up your own projects, it helps.
Last edited Jan 19, 2012 by Deadzergling
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Taintedwisp Author
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I dont want to do anything for the rest of my life...
I dont mean i want to be lazy, I just dont want to do only one thing. Seems too boring and pointless.
my maps will always be Free. and Available to the public at the earliest possible date.
If you need a tester feel free to ask IShadowWolf.258
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LongLivetheTalDarim Author
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I just want to play Starcraft professionally. I'm not the best, but I'm working on changing that. I have a dream that I want to beat Idra. He's the Goliath to my David. The Empire to my Rebel Alliance. The Leslie Winkle to my Sheldon Cooper. That's how bad I want to beat him.
Last edited Jan 19, 2012 by LongLivetheTalDarimSev: "I'm wild. And then I get dangerous. Shut up."
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Starscr3am Regular Shmoe
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I'm very interested in makin g artwork and the modelling/animation of it. Most probably going to be my choice =).
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DuckyTheDuck Regular Shmoe
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Just go for what you like. I always used to be a kind of one-dimensional character, first playing with legos (lol Eiviyn), then with map editors. There is just something magical about creating stuff. As Deadzergling said, come up with something you want to do and do it. What will follow is you spending alot of time in google looking for ways and info about building your project. After you've got a taste of programming and finished something I think you can read books on how to make your programming more efficient and all that other stuff. Supposedly if you like something, you'll want to get better at it.
But what I want is just to be a dynamic human being exploring everything that life throws at him. Got to work up my character for that >.>
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LongLivetheTalDarim Author
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I built a giant Protoss Carrier from the first Starcraft once. I had 1000's of legos and it was the one thing I was proud of when I was 12. I got picked on and felt like shit, so I turned away from my social life and turned to Starcraft instead. I thinkk it was for the best. My family wants me to go pro (TOSS!) after or maybe during college, and I want to do that, but I want to also cast games kinda like Day9 and Husky (two of my idols).
Now if you excuse me, I'm gonna go drown my embarassment into my map.
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ZealNaga Author
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Quote from Taintedwisp: Go
I just dont want to do only one thing. Seems too boring and pointless.
One of my teachers once said she had 3 jobs before being a teacher. I wouldn't worry if I were you, having multiple jobs is quite normal and way more interesting (for personal accomplishment... and probably sanity as well).
Quote from LongLivetheTalDarim: Go
I just want to play Starcraft professionally. I'm not the best, but I'm working on changing that. I have a dream that I want to beat Idra.
If you're older than 25, forget the idea. Pro players are chosen very young by pro teams because the muscles in their hands are in better shape than us adults. I'm not kidding... The thing is when you get older your accuracy and your reflexes are getting worse, so you're more "valuable" to a team when you're young.
Just to answer the topic now, I wanted to be part of the video games industry since I was a kid (literally). I really wanted to do this as an adult, and spent way too much time in that purpose. The thing is, now I have what I always wanted. And it sucks. Really. I'm 27, it's been 7 years of hard work, doubts, almost no social life, and now I'm looking for jobs as a teacher rather than a level designer. I still like this industry but I've seen its dark side now, and it's not as funny as it seems.I'd rather get a job where I don't feel like crap when I get home (late), I want a real life with friends and social activities, a girlfriend that won't complain about my job and/or extra hours, etc... Meet me in 10 years and I'll probably say something completely different, but for now I'm kind of in a mood where I need to switch to something else. The point of my little story being "do NOT idealize video games jobs". I know I'll still be an addict to level editing, but I'm just not sure it's worth making a living out of it.
It kind of hurts my feelings when people are saying (with tiny sparkles in their eyes) that they WANT to go pro. It sure is interesting, but it's not easy at all. You'll be treated like shit most of the time, you will feel like you've been working for nothing when you'll see how people react to your work (pros, colleagues, reviewers, players, maybe even family, etc...). It's not much of a big deal once in a while, but when it happens daily and all around you it's really painful. I don't want people to think that because they have fun programming things and/or making maps and mods, it will be as fun if they become pro. Being pro is nowhere as fun as making maps in your spare time.
Last edited Jan 19, 2012 by ZealNagaCustom (EU): Ikari Warriors v2.0 | Sand Worm Survival v1.0 | The Last Hour (alpha)
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Quote from ZealNaga: Go
Quote from LongLivetheTalDarim: Go
I just want to play Starcraft professionally. I'm not the best, but I'm working on changing that. I have a dream that I want to beat Idra.
If you're older than 25, forget the idea. Pro players are chosen very young by pro teams because the muscles in their hands are in better shape than us adults. I'm not kidding... The thing is when you get older your accuracy and your reflexes are getting worse, so you're more "valuable" to a team when you're young.
I'd rather get a job where I don't feel like crap when I get home (late), I want a real life with friends and social activities, a girlfriend that won't complain about my job and/or extra hours, etc... Meet me in 10 years and I'll probably say something completely different, but for now I'm kind of in a mood where I need to switch to something else. The point of my little story being "do NOT idealize video games jobs". I know I'll still be an addict to level editing, but I'm just not sure it's worth making a living out of it.
It kind of hurts my feelings when people are saying (with tiny sparkles in their eyes) that they WANT to go pro. It sure is interesting, but it's not easy at all. You'll be treated like shit most of the time, you will feel like you've been working for nothing when you'll see how people react to your work (pros, colleagues, reviewers, players, maybe even family, etc...). It's not much of a big deal once in a while, but when it happens daily and all around you it's really painful. I don't want people to think that because they have fun programming things and/or making maps and mods, it will be as fun if they become pro. Being pro is nowhere as fun as making maps in your spare time.
I'm 17. Is that good or almost bad?
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Deadzergling Author
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Echoing ZealNaga a bit here, but it is true about all careers having certain dark sides to them. It is rather important that upon deciding something you really investigate what your typical hours would be, would there be overtime and how much of it, that sort of thing. I have met some who fully got the education and training to do really well in a career choice, only to find out, crap, this is not what I wanted!
One guy in particular sticks out as he really got into the chef/cook thing, did all the steps, and found out his job was to have no social life at night so others could enjoy dinners that he cooked. I did the same thing with entomology, I loved studying about arthropods in general, could stare at them for hours just to see their different behaviors/responses to things, in a way they are like little programs running all over the place with very little ram, lol. But learned later that for most entomologists, your time is spent lifting stuff/moving things around while living inside some lab, to which I said screw that.
However, doing a temp job at a fairground for like 2 weeks straight as a restroom technician (bathroom janitor, lol), which sounded like the shittiest job on the planet, I actually found out it was like the easiest most relaxed job ever. Just went at my own pace to get things clean, restocked, whatever. Took my breaks/lunch whenever I felt like it, if I had to use the restroom was right there, got to see the animals section of the fair going between different restrooms, never got too hot, was just very relaxing. As long as I got my work done, all was well.
Suppose I should get to a point before I end this post now huh? Guess my point is, really look into what you aiming to do before you get too excited about it, it doesn't hurt to attempt odd jobs in between either. Understand it is normal to go through transitions working too, switching jobs and what not.
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Taintedwisp Author
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@ZealNaga:
I would do terrible as a teacher, I would end up gettin fired for whoopin a kid LOL.
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b0ne123 Author
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don't know the proper english names but what i did so far:
-school for 13 years (highest possible degree before university/allows you to go to the university)
- 3 years failed study of mechanical engineering
- 1 year aborted study buisness informatics
- and now i'm learning software engineering and I'm happy about. like really happy, love my job. took me one month to learn the important parts of java, after one year and a half I've already access to and I'm working with sensible data in a multi million € companyI'm currently in a "i can do and will do this for a very long time mood". should have picked it instantly after leaving school as i'm programming since I'm 10 years old... but i probably had to do some wrong decissions to find what i really like
Last edited Jan 19, 2012 by b0ne123A programmer started to cuss
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Ahli634 Regular Shmoe
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I'm studying information systems and I slightly dislike it. It's too theoretical in my opinion, but I guess that's because I'm a mapper. I've a need to create something and not just learn something in theory without any application just to get a good mark in the exam.
The only real application I've have atm is my project seminar and it's awesome. Programming a plugin for a big tool which will never leave university, but it's kind of fun to create something big even if the start is difficult because documentation wasn't great (but at least something was there), never used visual studio before, never programmed in c# before (actually it's my favorite now).For my future, I think it's not bad that I'm educated in economics, programming and information systems.
I wonder where I will end up because my marks @ university are more bad than good. :S But at least my degree is coming closer and I studied at the best university for my discipline in my country.
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I didn't really have a good direction other than game development for a lot of my life; however, having picked up iOS development in the last 2.5 years, I've really liked that platform and am about to make a pretty good living off of it. Fun stuff!
Last edited Jan 20, 2012 by OneTwoSCSC2 video tutorials: http://www.youtube.com/onetwosc
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Zolstice Regular Shmoe
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I just finished arranging my university plans just now, as I just received a confirmation of enrollment :)
Back in highschool ive been wondering whether to take Software Engineering or 3D Design, (other choices weren't as appealing). Having used the wc3 world editor since when I was.. idk, in grade 6 probably? I really enjoyed modding especially triggering. I got into WC3 Jass and made cool stuff, stuff that really compelled me to go the way of programming.
Now I was also known for my digital art skills in my school (since there was nothing digital other than photography in my art classes), and I had done skinning, 2d texturing etc for various games, and that was good too....
I still had that dilemma while applying :P
In the end I chose 3D Design. My current programming habits (at least in SC2) are bad, careless mistakes, and often I'm too lazy to create even the simplest spells or systems for a map. That, and the fact that programmers don't really have the choice of programming what they want; drove me away from it.
Hope I chose the right career path :D I dream alot abt one day working in EA, Ubisoft, or Blizz; creating their CGI Cutscenes. And if all else fails at least i should be working in Disney or Pixar :P Hope they dont stay as dreams :(
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ZealNaga Author
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Don't get mad from what I'm going to say but... What you did is pretty close to what I did. 7 years later, the first job opportunity where I don't feel like shit appears in Canada. I'm going there this year, I'm just waiting for the answer from the immigration department (only a matter of days, maybe weeks now). If this doesn't work, I'm definitely giving up my hopes of working in the video games industry for a living. I'm either not made for such a job, or there is something wrong in this industry. I'd rather think it's just me, but who knows...
You're obviously more of an artist than a programmer, but it doesn't mean you can work in both the 3D movies industry and the video games industry. They're absolutely not the same. In the video games industry your models have a limited polygons count, textures size, limited shaders, etc... Basically you have an entire part of the job about optimizing the models and effects for real-time rendering. It doesn't work like that in the 3D movies industry. When making a movie, you have multiple jobs working together to get the best render possible (lightings, motions, cameras, SFX/VFX,...). It's basically closer to movies than video games, both don't follow the same rules. You must be aware of that for your career choice, because if you work in the video games industry I don't think you'll ever be accepted to work on a 3D movie (and vice-versa). Basically, aim for Ubi/EA/Bliz OR Disney/Pixar, but you can't have both.
If you want my opinion, EA is the worst company to work in. It's a huge industry, you're a little ant in the anthill and nobody cares about what you think or want, or even your private life. Ubisoft is a good compromise IMO, but someone I met from Ubisoft in Montreal (he's in the mid-30 I think) already thinks Ubisoft is becoming another EA. I already considered working at Blizzard but I'm not sure what it's like. Probably like Eidos, a very secretive company and you can't get a job there if you don't have 5+ years of experience and at least three AAA games in your CV. Actually, to be completely honest with everyone thinking they could make it in the video games industry, if you don't have 2 years of experience and worked on at least 1 famous title, chances are you won't get ANY job in the video games industry.
This is why I'm moving to Canada (pretty much my last hope here), this is also why at 27 I'm considering switching to another career. I'm fed up with working on titles like My Little Pony on DS to earn $300 a week and feel like shit (especially with girls). I've used the Unreal Editor long enough to teach people how to use it, so I'm planning on being a teacher in level design. I have found a college in Montreal where they needed someone like me, so I hope it will go well. But the truth is, ANY job NOT even remotely close to the video games industry is fine by me now... I'll keep my passion for level design and maps/mods making for my spare time, even if it means working solo and not getting any feedback or support. Maybe a good compromise would be to start my own company and start developing indie games, actually I've already considered doing this... But again, I'd rather do that in my spare time rather than making a living out of it.
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SkrowFunk Regular Shmoe
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I'm glad I read these posts from ZealNaga.
I found myself to be passionate about programming since about 9th grade. Each problem is a little puzzle and you get a good feeling when you build a solution, play with it, and it works! It's so fantastic that people are willing to pay good money for this.
Since college I have fantasized about a job in the games industry, and I had been naturally drawn to the WC3 editor. As a kid I would always invent my own games outside, on paper, or with playing cards. While a games industry job sounds fun, the truth is that I'm afraid of the industry. It's volatile, low pay high stress work. I can imagine that if you work on a great title with a great team where you have creative input, it's just a dream come true. But most people won't get there.
I graduated college at 22 with a bachelor's in computer science. I got a job as a software engineer a few months later and I have been working for this company ever since. I'm 27 now, five years in, and I can say there are good days and bad days. Some times I am testing something boring for 8 hours, and some times there is some truly engrossing work that comes in for me. On those days, I program all day and surprise myself with how well I solve the problems presented to me. But even then, office jobs can be very depressing. Get your shiny shoes on and go to work with chubby old guys who can only crack jokes about football and golf. I imagine that a cool game's job would put me with other people my own age with similar interests.
My point is that I'm a corporate sell out, but after five years I now have over $100,000 in my retirement savings, enough responsibilities and good working hours and conditions. This would not have happened with a game development job. I used my money to buy myself a killer Alienware laptop exclusively for SC2 map development, and that's where I get my fill of games design. I call the shots, I write the code, I solve the problems, I make my own hours, and I have a f!!king blast doing it. I don't want to quit a respectable well-paying corporate position to end up in a 10-12 hour-a-day job where I make trashy Wii games for no money.
As a note to stay on topic: As far as the programming job itself, you can learn Java or C on your own by doing a few projects that you conceive. In a few months of practice you'll know enough to be competent. What you learn about programming on your own, or even in school, is nothing compared to what you will learn within the crucible of a real programming job.
Final thought: Get a job you enjoy that makes money and has reasonable hours. Fill your fridge with cold beer, find some bros, and play some video games. Exercise regularly and get in good shape, get a girl, save up for a home, go out on the town on saturdays, program for fun in your spare time, and then wait to die.
Last edited Jan 20, 2012 by SkrowFunk -
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I've seen that point of view multiple times. The way I see it, nearly any kind of area of expertise labeled as an 'industry' sucks to work in if you're passionate. I'm thinking a job in game design or such could work if you want to, but you'd have to look around very small companies (which I guess translates to 'indie') or even start your own. And even then, the chances of you coming up with that one cashy idea are getting smaller by the day, with gaming becoming more and more of an 'industry' rather than it being on the elevator it stepped onto 15-20 years ago.
Finding a job that is actually fun, and turning your hobby into your work is probably the biggest challenge anyone alive these days comes up again. Not getting stuck in a rut with a 9 to 5 office job is crucial for a good life for most people, but it is ridiculously hard to avoid. In pretty much any industry.
Last edited Jan 20, 2012 by Mozared -
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If you are really into programming, there are 1000 times as much jobs in the "normal" software engineering. For me, the fun in programming is the same there. finding solutions and play around with whatever you've created
zenx1 Regular ShmoeI get these moments every once in a while...I think I would be better programmer than Electrical engineer, which is my current occupation. It also seems programmers have lots of work (electrical engineers doesnt, where I live).
I would also be happier if I knew how to Java or C+. better, but without someone to teach me in a class and force me to learn it learing Java or C+ seems impossible. Its so freaking boring to look tutorials or read books...This just came in mind since I saw Angry birds creators look for workers, and today Remedy looking for workers...It would be pretty sweet to make it into a big comppany. And if I wanted to work in automation (which is kinda interesting too) you would probly need to know C+ too, I can only program PLCs with freakin "blocks" :(.
Well Im still in school so who knows how much fun my career will be -_-...somehow im just so doubtfull, its just not same kind of passion than passion on creating games. Atleast I want to get out of school for a while I suppose....
ps. I know if you would work for comppanies you couldnt decide what you create, but I think it still could be a blast to create a great game with a great team.
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