Hi. Pretty off topic but basically, developer's opinions?

We can't really answer that for you, as it is up to you and your personal tastes. There are a wide range of positions involved in game development. Coders, Artists, Producers, Directors, Creative Writers, and many, many more! (What I listed is what is the most known).

Your first task is to find out what you like to do. Once you have found your "calling", then you need to become a subject matter expert in that. After that, then see if it applies to "game" creation, and check for open positions as either an entry level position or internship.

Good luck!

I want to try my hand at game design. I could really use some help on what that details. I don't know if I REALLY want to do it, i mean, there are a lot of drawbacks. (hard industry to get into, something I've never even attempted before so its going to be a rough hell of a climb, unstable/no job security, etc etc) But, I'd like to try it. So, I think my next question is, what degree should I go for in college? I mean, College is great to learn and help you on your way but I want something I could use for more then game design, IE, a skill/skills that could help me get a job in another field if necessary. (And oh please god, don't say programming.) Any suggestions for jobs/degree's?

Let's do this, give us five things you enjoy(ed) doing in high school? Like really really enjoy(ed). Then we can work from there)

Well, alright, sure.
1. Robotics was fun but i felt, out of my element. It was fine but I NEVER felt like I was learning anything. I don't know and didn't retain nor enjoy programming. but hey, hanging out with friends and working on ideas to build robots was fun but people always seemed to just take my idea and create it. I only remember creating a few true things and that was a half finished robot that I don't even remember if worked or not, a HORRIBLE box, and a little light up thingy that i made while soldering. But I felt awesome when i did those things.

2. Business class sorta. I liked learning about the concepts more or less and it was fun creating a physical, thought of, paper product. Like when i designed a toaster. Or when i made ice cream. (mother of god did that backfire. it became harder than a rock after 4 hours in a freezer)

3. well, thats it? oh wait, I slightly enjoyed creating stuff in art class but that was iffy. so iffy.

I can't remember anything else I'd describe as enjoyed. I realize now I sorta like creating things. Just, the form. I dislike making art, writing, I don't want to make comics again, games seem like something I could enjoy, even tedious tasks. (I excel at doing tedious tasks.) I just have a MAJOR issue with actually doing anything at all. I'm addicted to procastination and doing nothing by doing something. "oh, huh, apply for jobs? nah, 12 more hours of youtube is good." "huh? Actually make something again? nah, this uuhhh idle game, yeah, this boring idle game looks good. lets play that for 3 days." "meh." And I don't really mind at all, except, i know their's other things i could be doing. not neccasarily enjoy more but other things with more value. Any questions/more help with my major or minor or anything college related would be awesome. Because I have 0 care so often that I was just going to be whatever job is the most stable. Seemed like welder. Or something technical. But anyway, hope that answered your question.

From what I read I don't know if actual game development is for you. But you wrote that you sorta liked business class. Todays game studio has all sort of people inside it. Little group of people run "operations" of the whole company. You might be one of them. Actually, if you are really very creative, you can start something yourself, like a start-up, get a bunch of people who are capable of doing job right, explain your idea to them, and get to work.

As for what major to pursue, I am really in no position to advise you something. Even what I wrote above, you shouldn't take it to close to your heart.

I can only give you one advice - choose whatever makes you feel happy. I've personally seen the difference between people who dread their daily job, and those who sincerely like theirs. It feels amazing to wake up for something you really like. Trust me.

http://www.oculus.com/company/careers/ - go here. These are just the examples of what you may become in future.

"DeVisioN" wrote:

I understand but actual game design would be fine if i just new exactly what it WAS. I mean, hell, it sounds great. Making the actual things in a game in one way or another sounds fun. But I just want to know what A. they ACTUALLY do day to day, at least in real jobs. B. What skills can help me become that but also make sure I have a job for the future. A major that helps but if need be/is focused on a different job set. I'm not overly sure but it sounds fun. Thanks for all the help

The best advice I'd say I could give is, try everything, make an entire game yourself. From what you've been writing it really seems like you haven't delved at all into any one particular direction, so you only have a surface level view of these immense, extremely deep fields that can all branch off in tons of directions.

Just because you didn't enjoy art class doesn't mean you might not like 3d modeling, something I highly doubt your art class taught. Have you considered creating music? Game design seems vague to you because it is, it's a massive field that is very different for different kinds of games, it could include systems design, level design, balancing classes, developing campaigns in already built games.

You're not going to enjoy any specific field 100% of the time, if tons of people were 100% loving painting all day and creating concept art, then there probably wouldn't be a diverse range of ability between concept artists. The people who become the best at what they do often do a LOT of things that they don't enjoy to get there, because most people aren't willing to do those things, so most people don't become the best.

I would say just make a small game, and when I say small, I mean SMALL. If you're just trying to figure out what you enjoy the most of the process then keep it very simple because you're going to have to do the work for every role and it takes far longer than most people anticipate. If you're fresh out of high school you should understand that you don't have to go straight into college, take some time to breathe, get a part time job if you don't already have one and invest in yourself. Take the time to do the hard things and get beyond those beginner stages of ability, those are often the least fun and rewarding, but in my case it ALWAYS gets better when you gain some competency.

Or if you don't want to deal with creating an entire game yourself, try and find someone to help you, or just pick a skill right now that you think you might enjoy later. I personally did that, I decided, hey I like art, I'm going to learn to be a concept artist. So I spent 5 years or so studying art as much as I could, and I would draw and paint every day until I'd get repetitive stress injuries in my hand. At this point I've kind of decided it's not for me, I really enjoy creating things that will be in the final product as opposed to being a reference for the final product. So I've taken to programming and some 3d modeling on the side, stopped actively practicing painting to try out a new path, and who knows I might 5 or 10 years later try something else.

So what I'm basically saying is, just pick something and stick with it, if you never commit to a single path you'll never get anywhere, but if you pick something you end up not liking, then so what, at least you have a valuable skill and you know more about what you really do enjoy.

"warownslife" wrote:
I understand but actual game design would be fine if i just new exactly what it WAS. I mean, hell, it sounds great. Making the actual things in a game in one way or another sounds fun. But I just want to know what A. they ACTUALLY do day to day, at least in real jobs. B. What skills can help me become that but also make sure I have a job for the future. A major that helps but if need be/is focused on a different job set. I'm not overly sure but it sounds fun. Thanks for all the help

See, the thing is, is that "Game Design" has about 50 million subdivisions to it. Like I mentioned above, Producers, Texture Artists, Game Programmers, Level Design, Modellers, etc.. etc..

Now, if you're not really sure, then here is my recommendation:

http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/find-by-number/

- Search for CMS
- Start at the 300 classes, and work your way all the way down the list. Do every class.

Then, you should have some idea of what you want to focus on. After that, then we can help you a bit better. Also, don't just limit yourself to one thing (Game Design) as game studios are employing more, and more people that you wouldn't traditionally think of as being involved in gaming.

For example, CCP has an Economist PH.d guy working for them. He is the one that looks at the "Market" and makes recommendations on prices / materials / drop rates, etc.. to create a "real" economy.