Forum Discussion

DokoMaster's avatar
DokoMaster
Honored Guest
12 years ago

Joining into video game industry

So yeah, I am one of those people who have no time or way too stupid to learn on their own about making videogames.
So I have been researching schools on Finland which are teaching video game industry. And looks like Tampere has the best schools and even places for a job. So I am going to try get into TAMK and study BBA, which has gaming industry on it.

I know a little about coding but never been so interested in it, 3D modelling and audio has been intresting, but mostly I want to learn about everything and start a indie company after the studies. I have a dream to build a game, and now with oculus rift I have gotten more interesting ideas. I bet it takes 2-4 years to actually get everything running from now but hey its better than being lost "what to do with my life"

I have tried different jobs, and everything just seems pointless, unrewarding and nothing I could enjoy for the rest of my life. So I got get some degree and get people to kick my ass forward on my goal and hope that someday I can make a game in a little group of friends and publish it, start making money. And make a BIGGER game next.

This won't be easy road, but hell. Its going to be fun, study and learn. While my daughter grows and wife beside me why should I fail. I have always been bad at school and learning but very first time I have a it in my gut that I want to learn and grow.

Been stuck doing almost nothing for past 4 years, but ain't disappoint of "wasting my time" because growing family is important too. So here I hereby that someday you will see me in gaming industry. I hope there is some people who has been in same situation on life and can share some tips. The only thing I am going to miss is my friends after our family moves, but hey its only some years, and time sure does fly.

10 Replies

  • cybereality's avatar
    cybereality
    Grand Champion
    12 years ago
    Yeah, I think it's a great idea. You should definitely try to pursue your passion. I guess you just have to figure out what you like and what you're good at. There are many different jobs and roles in game development. Everybody always thinks of programmers and artists, but there are lots of other positions. Producers, designers, writers, project managers, etc. It's all about doing what you're interested in and making it work. Good luck!
  • DokoMaster's avatar
    DokoMaster
    Honored Guest
    12 years ago
    "cybereality" wrote:
    Yeah, I think it's a great idea. You should definitely try to pursue your passion. I guess you just have to figure out what you like and what you're good at. There are many different jobs and roles in game development. Everybody always thinks of programmers and artists, but there are lots of other positions. Producers, designers, writers, project managers, etc. It's all about doing what you're interested in and making it work. Good luck!


    Thanks man! all the positions sound cool. Designer and writer could be my cake too, because I like to make PnP rpg's and got wild imagination. Got some PM from Finnish buddy who went to study at the same place I am heading, got some tips from him too. Who knows what future holds, checking unity tomorrow after I have watched all these practice videos on youtube.

    So how people usually get the position of designer, writer? show some games made by himself or script?
  • Thoth_The3x's avatar
    Thoth_The3x
    MHCP Partner
    12 years ago
    Honestly you should learn to code or do 3d modeling. Trying to break in as a designer or writer is nearly impossible, everyone has amazing game ideas... If you learn to code, model, animate, etc. then you can recruit people to fill the other positions on your team, whereas nobody wants to join a team where your only job is to be the "idea guy"
  • DokoMaster's avatar
    DokoMaster
    Honored Guest
    12 years ago
    "spire8989" wrote:
    Honestly you should learn to code or do 3d modeling. Trying to break in as a designer or writer is nearly impossible, everyone has amazing game ideas... If you learn to code, model, animate, etc. then you can recruit people to fill the other positions on your team, whereas nobody wants to join a team where your only job is to be the "idea guy"


    Yeah, it's kinda obscure job indeed. I am trying to self learn to use Unity engine, and other interesting things.
    If I fail to join school, need just to work hard by my self, and recruit some of my irl friends who know how to code and model. But first need to enlighten the whole deal to myself.
  • DeeKej's avatar
    DeeKej
    Explorer
    12 years ago
    A great read is "Level UP!" by Scott Rogers, brings forth a lot of good points about making games and how to think in a fun and entertaining way. (and is the only coursebook I've actually found really worth buying so far)

    Best tip that I can give is to make good games/demos and get recognized for your talent, even if you go to a game development school. From what I can tell people want to see that you're able to create something, no matter what field, and a degree from any school isn't enough on its own (though of course awesome to have).

    Other that, good luck. You have plenty of competition. ;)

    *computer game development student*
  • cybereality's avatar
    cybereality
    Grand Champion
    12 years ago
    It's true. The best thing is to have demos that illustrate your skills. Having an insanely awesome demo or indie title will probably open a lot more doors than a degree alone can. However you will usually work on projects at school that could fit this bill.

    Probably the best advice is to just start doing something right now.

    Whatever it is, just start doing it. This is the best way to learn.
  • DokoMaster's avatar
    DokoMaster
    Honored Guest
    12 years ago
    "cybereality" wrote:
    It's true. The best thing is to have demos that illustrate your skills. Having an insanely awesome demo or indie title will probably open a lot more doors than a degree alone can. However you will usually work on projects at school that could fit this bill.

    Probably the best advice is to just start doing something right now.

    Whatever it is, just start doing it. This is the best way to learn.


    Right now I am watching http://tornadotwins.com/ tutorial videos. And making my own first game based whats done on the video and hopefully learn the basics in a couple months. Who knows if I someday post my first game for Oculus Rift around next year on the forums haha.
  • Frooxius's avatar
    Frooxius
    Honored Guest
    12 years ago
    I think passion to make games is most important, but like others said, being "an idea guy" is not enough. A lot of people have ideas and there's many more ideas than people who are capable of realizing them (I myself don't have time for all my ideas alone) so being able to do at least part of their realization is important.

    I don't think you need any schools or anything for this (but if you prefer that, go for it). I myself learned programming and game design purely by self education - I've been making amateur games since I was 12 (I'm 21 now) and while they were terrible (you can look at my early games hereif you want xD), I learned a lot along the way.

    The best way to learn making games it just keep making them and you'll improve over the time, school can only help you push you in the right direction and provide materials, but you still have to love make games, hence the importance of the passion, because you'll have to make a lot of terrible games before you start making good ones (or as I like to say, less terrible ones than the ones before :D )

    I myself decided to skip university, since I wouldn't really learn anything new there that I couldn't learn myself faster and I don't need a piece of paper for something I already know how to do and I'm starting my own indie studio with another guy who's awesome music composer (and also has great ideas). Though I encountered a different problem - when you're new, everyone pretty much ignores you, so have to try hard to get attention and get people interested in your games.
  • mdk's avatar
    mdk
    Honored Guest
    12 years ago
    I wrote my response in Finnish since the op is from Finland.

    Onnea yritykseen.

    Mun neuvo on, että opettelet hieaman kaikkea, mutta keskityt kuitenkin johonkin osa-alueeseen. Pelisuunitelijan paikkaa on hankala saada jos ei pysty tuottamaan mitään konkreetista näytettävää. Graafikon tai koodaajan on paljon helpompi demonstroida omat taitonsa. Unity 3D:n käyttöä kannattaa tosiaan treenata. Sillä on kohtuu helppo testata omia peli-ideoita. Valmiita 3D-malleja ja erinnäköisä scriptejä on paljon joten kaikkea ei tarvitse välttämättä tehdä itse. Unityllä voi tehdä yksinkertaisella laatikkografiikalla peliprototyypejä mitkä vaatii ainoastaan koodaajan taitoja. Vastaavasti voit tehdä demon mikä ei vaadi koodausta juuri yhtään, mutta demonstroi graafikon tai vaikka kenttäsuunittelijan taitoja.
  • geekmaster's avatar
    geekmaster
    Protege
    12 years ago
    "mdk" wrote:
    I wrote my response in Finnish since the op is from Finland.

    Onnea yritykseen.

    Mun neuvo on, että opettelet hieaman kaikkea, mutta keskityt kuitenkin johonkin osa-alueeseen. Pelisuunitelijan paikkaa on hankala saada jos ei pysty tuottamaan mitään konkreetista näytettävää. Graafikon tai koodaajan on paljon helpompi demonstroida omat taitonsa. Unity 3D:n käyttöä kannattaa tosiaan treenata. Sillä on kohtuu helppo testata omia peli-ideoita. Valmiita 3D-malleja ja erinnäköisä scriptejä on paljon joten kaikkea ei tarvitse välttämättä tehdä itse. Unityllä voi tehdä yksinkertaisella laatikkografiikalla peliprototyypejä mitkä vaatii ainoastaan koodaajan taitoja. Vastaavasti voit tehdä demon mikä ei vaadi koodausta juuri yhtään, mutta demonstroi graafikon tai vaikka kenttäsuunittelijan taitoja.

    Here is what Google Translate has to say about your post:
    Good luck with the company.

    My advice is that you learn how hieaman everything, but the focus, however, on a particular aspect. Pelisuunitelijan place is hard to get if you can not produce anything concrete to show for. A graphic designer or coder is much easier to demonstrate their skills. Unity 3D's use should really work out. It is reasonably easy to test your game ideas. Ready-made 3D ​​models and scripts erinnäköisä a lot so everything does not necessarily have to do it yourself. Unityllä can make a simple box design peliprototyypejä which only requires the skills of an encoder. Similarly, you can make a demo that does not require hardly any coding, but demonstrates a graphic artist or even kenttäsuunittelijan skills.

    Hmm... Can somebody give Google some friendly assistance here, to increase the "signal-to-noise-ratio" on that translation?