Bast

Thanks again for even more information. I'm actually a quite reserved person. I don't do bars, or really even go out with friends. I'm also a blast to get along with, so I think I'm alright there . I used to just play games up till my senior year along with my work, but I realized that I should have been building skills and putting work into learning skills pertaining to the industry. Some of this was due to my indecision on if I'd go into the gaming industry or the film industry (I've clearly decided on gaming). The only reason I mentioned my 4.0 is because the more I read into everything the more I began to feel that grades wouldn't help as much as I thought on a resume; which you've validated. Unfortunately my degree has nothing to do with technical game design skills. I've learned a lot of team management/leadership skills plus I've taken every history course possible since I love history. "GPA can only get you so far, and while it sets you up for a good foundation for future knowledge, it doesn't have direct correlation to your actual applied knowledge, your work ethic, or your ability to work in the game industry" - this is a statement I agree with completely that I think everyone who wants to go into the games industry should understand. I'd even be inclined to say this applies to other industries/jobs as well. I've already written a fairly deep outline for a 5 trilogy storyline, and am now working on witting a smaller story much like you described as a (creative designer) which takes place on a planet in this universe during on of my timelines. I've also been improving my skills in making textures, since I figure that could be helpful if needed along with some art sketches. [side note - if anyone knows if the Photoshop plugin "FilterForge" is used in the industry please let me know]. On top of this I'm also teaching myself UnrealEd, though it's 2.5 and not 3. Overall, I'm trying my hardest to make myself as well versed in a variety of game design elements as possible. My biggest issue is programming which I'm pretty much putting in the back burner... though I plan to try and learn python down the road. I'm also somewhat of a "perfectionist," (though not to annoying levels around people) so helping to clean up a game, no matter how demanding actually seems fun to me. Out of everything mentioned I see myself as either a creative designer or possibly a level designer (as I've always enjoyed architecture). I've also been reading http://www.sloperama.com/advice quite a bit too. It's been quite a bit of help, and anyone like me who wants to do game design should check it out. To be honest, I don't think I'm going to get right into a job as designer. That said, I've found one open game design job that I may be able to fill simply due to my knowledge about the game (and that knowledge being a requirement for the job). QA is my best bet right now, and to be honest, based on what I've learned about it I think it may be the best starting point for me. It may be considered the "low class" job as I've read, but it seems to teach a lot of valuable tools about the game development process, and also gets you into the mindset of working long hours right away... especially if you always volunteer to work extra (not to say others don't work long hours). I actually am shocked you worked 48 hour days. I understood that things could reach 100-112 hour days during crunch time, but that's pretty crazy. I don't think I could physically work that long (48+ hours strait) without starting to make really stupid mistakes with my work. I think I kind of rambled a bit here and there haha. Again, thank you for the advice. I've definitely taken everything said in this thread to heart thus far. You folks at Obsidian are doing a great service to the community by taking time to do this for everyone.

Thank you Matthew. That's quite neat and humbling to hear how all of the owners started in QA. In fact it only gives me a greater feeling of excitement to know this. I did indeed look into that topic (the game writer one) as well and found some helpful information, as I too love to write stories. I'm currently deliberating on applying for a job in QA after graduation or going to Full Sail for a Masters in Game Design (assuming I get financial aid) and then doing the same thing. The benefit of the latter is that I would get exposure to a simulated game development cycle plus get more familiarized with terminology and procedure. Plus I figure the degree can't do anything but help on a resume. The downside though is that I could possibly get the same benefit in QA minus the degree, and have over a year of relished game industry experience. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask what the professional opinion of these two routs would be. Would it be smarter for a person like me to go right into QA after graduation or take 13 more months to get this degree? On a side note, I'm also trying to learn as much about the fundamentals of game design as possible by getting into books such as "Chris Crawford on Game Design" and "Rules of Play: Game Design Fundamentals." I'm also trying to read as many game designer blogs as possible. If anyone on here has a blog related to games that you don't mind sharing publicly or in a PM, I'd love to read it. Again thanks for all the help you've been giving me so far!

Thank you Montgomery for the advice. QA is actually the one job I've heard I could get right into, so you've further confirmed that possibility. I was going to mention QA in my original post but I wanted to see if it was brought up without notice. Blaine Christine over at BioWare started out his career in QA and is now a Producer over at the Austin branch, so I know good things can happen with that rout. I'm actually trying to self-teach myself level editors (ie. CoD4Radiant or G.E.C.K). Once I get down actually understanding everything and being able to create what's in my head, I think I'll be able to make some great stuff. As for your UT3 mod Kaftan Barlast, I'm not sure I am qualified to do that very well. Perhaps I misunderstand what you're asking? It is true that I'd be willing to work up from the junkiest job and climb up the ladder though. So long as I'm in a situation where I'm learning tools to be a great game designer in the future, I don't mind what it is. Thanks again for the replies, if anyone else has any extra info I'll be sure to soak it up!

Hello there! Pretty much my entire life I've wanted to get into the creation of entertainment either in video games or film (or both), via the creation and development of original intellectual properties. I am now at the stage in my life where I'm steadfast on what I want to be, and that's a game designer. I've not taken the conventional rout to becoming one (programmer, level designer), as I am getting a degree that is related to teaching leadership, team management and essentially running government agencies/public organizations. I'm going to be graduating this May with what I'm assuming is going to be a 4.0 cumulative GPA, however I am worried that my irregular path towards the game industry may prove troublesome. Now forgive me if this sounds somewhat resume'esq, but I feel its best I said what I can/can't do if I am to get quality feedback. The reason I mentioned my GPA is... I'm not certain how well my grades will carry towards getting a job. I also don