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About Howard N Smith
Expertise
I can answer questions pertaining to 3d game programming, Cpp, Pascal, Delphi, and various APIs and libraries including Windows, LUA, DirectX, OpenGL, and other things specific to game programming. I have had experience working in third party engines like Source, OGRE, Irrlicht, and Torque. Design, implementation, theory, specific algorithms and other topics. I will have difficulty answering technical programming questions outside of my domain such as database programming, web programming, IT, hardware, etc and I am not as comfortable as some others when discussing big O time complexity calculations and other academic computer programming questions (I can certainly give it a try but I'm out of practice.)
Experience
I've been programming video games (with a slight focus on RPGs) for almost 15 years, and have learned many tips, tricks, and valuable insight. I've written a few articles concerning specifics (Including a workshop on an Object Oriented Approach to 3D Engine and Design) as well as completed a number of personal and professional projects in the field. I've shipped a number of casual and AAA titles, and in my relatively short time in the industry gotten the chance to work alongside some major publishers, including Capcom and Valve. I am currently employed as a Software Engineer at a game development studio.
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You are here: Experts > Games > Interactive Fiction > Designing Computer Games > career exploration
Expert: Howard N Smith
Date: 4/18/2008
Subject: career exploration
Question
Hi! My name is Kurston Green. I am a 5th grader in Natchez, Mississippi. We are working on a project on career exploration. I am interested in computer engineering. Could you answer the following questions for me?
What career field in computer engineering would I have to go in to design video games for computers ?
What would be the best colleges or universities should I attend to get the best training ?
Is there anything I can do now as a 5th grader to improve my chances of being successful in this area ?
Why did you decide to work in the computer profession ?
What do you like most about your job ?
What do you like least about your job ?
Answer
Hello Kurston! I'm glad to hear you are interested in computer engineering, and I would be happy to answer your questions.
1) What career field in computer engineering would I have to go in to design video games for computers ?
There are lots of different kinds of people who help make a video game a reality, but they can all be put into one of four categories.
You have: engineers, designers, artists, and production.
Engineers are the programmers who know how to write the code that actually makes the game function. They spend a lot of time working with "design documents" and "technical documents". Design documents are basically an outline of what the game should be like. What kinds of characters are there, and powerups, and vehicles. Technical documents are usually written by a lead engineer, and they describe HOW these things are done. I am an engineer, and it's something I've always wanted to do. Being an engineer is the most technical part of game development. If you spend a lot of time learning how to program computers, there is a lot less competition for these positions than the other ones. Some examples of engineers are: gameplay programmers, User Interface (UI) programmers, network programmers, etc
Designers are the people who write the design documents. They come up with the idea for the game, or spend their time thinking of ways to make it better. They work closely with engineers by telling them what the game should be able to do, and they also work with artists to make sure the "aesthetics" or the way it looks - is just right. Being a designer is a lot of work, because you have to think about every little aspect of the game - thinks that people like you and I generally don't think about. They have to worry about how every little piece of the game fits together, and make sure that it's not frustrating for the player. Design is one of the hardest ways to get into the industry, usually they only hire people who have already worked on other games. Usually designers come from another field, they were programmers or artists at one time. Sometimes though, a really good designer can prove he's good and get a job that way. Some examples of designers are: world builders, story writers, UI designers, game play designers, etc.
Artists are the people who make all the drawings and 3d models and everything you see in a game. Usually, we call these things "assets". In the games industry, artists need to know more than just how to draw things on paper, and they spend many years learning special computer tools to make 3d models and animations that you see in a game. Like designers, if you can prove to a company that you can draw or use these tools really well, they will give you a job as an artist. Some examples of artists are: technical artists, texture artists, 3d modellers, animators, and concept artists.
Production is the group of people who make sure everybody has what they need in order to get the job done. They work with external publishers and investors, they write up schedules, and make sure all the different parts of the game stay on track. They also communicate with the other members of the team to make sure everybody knows what is going on. Good producers are really valuable, and really important to the business.
2) What would be the best colleges or universities should I attend to get the best training ?
For the most part, the video game industry pays more attention to your "portfolio" than your degree. A portfolio is basically a list of work that you have done that shows your skills. Usually people think of artists who use portfolios to show off the paintings and drawings they do, but engineers can also show off the programs they have written, designers can show design documents or projects they've designed, and producers can show projects that they have managed. A portfolio is really important.
As for what college or university, it depends on what you want to do in the industry. I would recommend not going to a special "game design" or "game development" school, because the industry doesn't always like people who do that. Some majors you should think about:
Engineers: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics
My friend is a lead designer and he recommends these:
Designers can lean towards the technical side or the more artistic side. Technical: Computer Science, psychology, sociology. Artistic: Industrial Design, Architecture, Graphic Design
Artists: Graphic Design, Computer Modeling, Computer Animation
Producers: Accounting, Business, Small Business Management.
Your best bet, however, is to find any school that gives you a good education. The best part about having a degree is showing that you have the ability to do work, and learn new things. These are invaluable tools to any game developer. We have to keep up with changing technology on a daily basis and be flexible in how we do things. Study hard, and stay passionate - these things are more important than where you get your degree.
3) Is there anything I can do now as a 5th grader to improve my chances of being successful in this area ?
Study hard and start trying to learn some of the tools of the trade. Remember that just because you may want to be a programmer, doesn't mean you shouldn't learn about art tools - and the same goes for all the other jobs. Sometimes it can be confusing or hard, but if you really want to give yourself a good shot at being a game developer, you should look around online for some free tools you can start working with.
You can get free programming compilers and learn how programmers work by looking at this webpage:
http://creators.xna.com/
You can look at some free art tools here:
http://www.blender.org
http://www.getpaint.net/
A really fun and good way to start now would be to also play with this tool called RPGMaker:
http://tkool.jp/products/rpgxp/eng/
This lets you design your own Role Playing Game, write your own storyline, and design your own game.
Some of this stuff may be confusing, or difficult, don't worry! It's complicated stuff, and it could take a lot of time to really learn not just how to work things out, but also what exactly you want to do in the industry. Don't give up! I've been programming for 15 years now, and I'm still learning things every single day. It can be challenging and intimidating when you start, but if you really really want to do this, just keep at it!
4) Why did you decide to work in the computer profession ?
When I was 6 years old I played a RPG and I knew from that moment that was what I wanted to do when I grew up. For my birthday my Dad bought me a C++ compiler and I started trying to figure out how it worked. At first I couldn't understand it at all, it was really difficult for me. Eventually, though, things started clicking into place. I started trying to make games, and have been ever since!
5) What do you like most about your job?
It's very rewarding work, as an engineer I get to solve problems and watch them work. I love watching people play my games and seeing how excited they get, and feeling like I got the chance to help someone have fun - even if it was only for a little bit. I love working with other people who share my passion for making entertainment. I can't imagine doing anything else for a living! I really do feel like I'm sharing something special with lots of people, and although not a lot of people take video games seriously, I think they are really important and a useful medium for sharing ideas and being creative.
6) What do you like least about your job?
Sometimes we have to work really long hours. I think I spend 10 to 12 hours a day at the office on average. This weekend me and some other people were there all night long until six in the morning. Also, as an engineer, I would be paid more if I worked somewhere else. Generally we get paid less, it's a sacrifice we all make because we love what we do.
I hope this helped you Kurston, and I hope that you find luck in whatever you do! If you ever need any more help, feel free to send me an e-mail or contact me on here! Good luck on your project!
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