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I'm only 16, but I'd like to plan out my future. How do I get a career in game development? I've looked at alot of different companies and most say "At least 3 years of commercial game programming experience." How do you get that 3 years of experience if every company requires 3 years? Do I ask the game companies for an apprenticeship type of thing?
A lot of companies provide internship opportunities (usually reserved for college students, but you might find something for high schoolers).
Also, there are a lot of "start-up" game companies where you and a few buddies decide to make games. This is a pretty good way to get experience, and if you have an idea you can pitch it to a larger company for funding (they're likely to trust you with a small budget at first before giving you larger budgets).
Some prime examples of this are Bungie (makers of Halo) and Ensemble Studios (makers of Age of Empires series), both of which were funded (and actually owned at one point) by Microsoft.
edit:
I would also strongly recommend checking out GameDev.net. They have a ton of resources for all levels of game developers and could help you get a toe into the industry.
Thank you so much.
I'm 16 but I joined a Running-Start program. RS lets me take classes at the college, and earn an AA/AS degree while enrolled in high school.Quote:
(usually reserved for college students, but you might find something for high schoolers)
A lot of companies also tend to oversee the fact that you might be lacking one thing on their list if you make up for it with something else. Many companies say in their recruitment ads that they require you to have a degree etc but a lot of companies don't really care, its just to set a level for the role.
Other then that I agree with helloworld, maybe starting something up your self could be a good idea :D
I've always wanted to get more involved with game programming myself but realised that it might not really happen and now that I use Java the chances have probably gone down even further. None the less though you never know what the future holds :D
Good luck to you, at least you know where you want to go, many people your age don't even have a clue.
I dont understand, are you planning further education, or do you want to get straight into it? I would suggest collage (computer science) first, then thinking about what you wonna do.
In denmark atleast, you will get pretty much nowhere without a masters in cs, unless you start somthing yourself. Hint: Doing solo, what big companies does, is not viable. You need to find a niche somwhere.
Also, what is it about game programming you find so attractive. Having a friend who is done with his masters, and works in a game company. There is a huge difference between being a game designer, and being a game programmer. His game programming job is "just" another programming job. He doesnt do anything with regards to the design of games themselves, but only planning the implementation, and helping out with the coding.
Do you leave near cambridge? Jagex has spots open. Careers at Jagex Games StudioQuote:
I've always wanted to get more involved with game programming myself but realised that it might not really happen and now that I use Java the chances have probably gone down even further. None the less though you never know what the future holds
I've tried to start a local inde game company, but I live in a town of 1,100 people, and sadly there is no one that can draw. I have found some writers though.