Guaigean

Ok, I've been nice previously, and respectful. But honestly, a 15 yr old kid comparing his abilities to seasoned programmers who although it was a fresh game company had MANY years of experience both game programming and programming in general, well... that is excessive. I don't think it is impossible for you to make games, some day. But I think you will have a lot to learn in the mean time. Take some classes, enjoy high school as a kid, and learn not to knock people down for skills you have yet to obtain.

Wasn't meant to get ya down, was honest suggestions. If you aren't coding anymore, then maybe they could help your coder. Maybe ya missed the point where I wished ya good luck and hope ya do well...

I like the idea. I recall posting about it a while back and got similarly shot down. But I went as far as saying enemies you fought regularly should learn what you use, what your weaknesses are, etc. Nobody really liked that. Maybe I'm just a player killer DM at heart.

Ok, well, I know what I could lend you of knowledge from my studies. (Which are continuing). First, learn code from the ground up, and that means losing the GUI generators like Dreamweaver/Visual Studio. They'll help a lot once you know the basics, but they can obscure a lot that you will need to know. Secondly, if you're seriously wanting to get into 3d games, I'd suggest a course in Linear Algebra and Calculus based Physics if you haven't already taken these. Granted I'm not a fully employed game programmer yet, but I've already seen the benefits in my personal projects. And maybe send your artists through a course on Maya or 3dStudio Max. Lastly, maintain focus. Serious programming ventures cannot and should not be taken lightly. They will not happen overnight, so don't expect them too. As long as you understand that it will be a long process, and you are willing to put in for the long haul, you may do just fine. Good luck, as I fully understand the task you are undertaking. I'm also in the works of developing an indepedent game, and so I empathize greatly with you. Hopefully it works out for you.

It's nice that it's all at least integrated and accepted under one standard now though. I agree with the OpenGL increase of use, as it would make it a lot easier to port games to different platforms, hopefully increasing the odds of Linux gaining a huge group of new users.

Well, slowly at first but better now. Implementing a lot of 3d physics, etc. But it's currently just a bunch of blocks running around slamming into each other and talking to you. Not exactly near polished But coming along...

Makes ya wonder why some companies have a hard time releasing a decent FPS in 2 full CD's...

Not everybody enjoys sitting down with the latest OpenGL Programming Guide or Physics for Game Developers, etc., but it's the kind of stuff ya have to love to curl up with for a good read. Sure I've learned a lot about basic practices from professors, but they give you the guidelines. Everything else comes from self-study in my experience, which means often that there's lots of extracurricular-techbook-reading involved. But how else do you learn how to do the fun stuff

Just make sure that whatever you do, you have a real passion for it. Programming is one of those careers that if you dont absolutely love it, you can burn out on fast. As far as game programming, you can find a lot of the same uses if you build 3D software for universities, simulations, etc. So you may find just what you want. There are lots of options out there, and picking one that you love doing is of the utmost importance. Generally speaking, someone who loves their job is more likely to earn higher wage either way, as they'll put in that above and beyond effort that someone who is just "surviving" will not.

Yep, they do. Its funny how goths are able to call preps materialistic and consumer oriented. Last I checked, most of that goth crap clothing, spikes, and the rest of that costs more than most designer clothes. And they need this stuff to show that they are just like all their non-conformist friends who dress exactly like each other. Apparently that's not materialistic though in the mind of a goth...

There used to be several games out there with growing town type atmospheres. Unfortunately as graphics took over as the main draw to games, things like that became more difficult. Now people settle for below par gameplay in exchange for extremely realistic looking people. Hopefully a compromise can be found though, because a growing town type is something Ive been wanting in a game for a while too. (And I dont mean Sim City style crap).

Call me kooky but senior engine programmer looks pretty fun to me. But then again I sit around scribbling game physics on whiteboards in my spare time for fun, so maybe I'm just weird.

Makes all that time in college where your professor pounded in the importance of documenting code seem useless, doesn't it?

Well, speaking for personal experience, its not always fun, but that's not really what work is all about anyway is it? I'd say it's more that you are making something that many many people will see, and you have not only pride, but a certain love for what you do. If you want to be the best at something, 30-40 hrs a week just doesn't cut it, no matter what field of work you're in.

Ya, I've heard the hours are pretty crazy too. Which means I guess to survive sanely you really have to love what you do. Otherwise after months of no sleep, ya just lose it and start programming in player-killer bad guys that are there just to see how many complaints ya get for the game being too hard after release.

Does that include all artist related staff? (i.e., 3D Modelers, Concept Artists, Renderers, etc). Not an artist myself, just curious.

I completely agree. If by implementing 20 races, they take away the magic of the universe, and the ability to get fully involved, then they really haven't accomplished much. Even if it is 1 race, at least then maybe they can focus on total immersion, and make for a better game. Granted, in a perfect world all options are possible, but in the real world they have deadlines to meet and they just can't do it all.

Heh, good to hear that my art will be overlooked. As far as too large a scope, I have narrowed my project quite a bit. Originally I had illusions of grandeur when I decided to build a 3d game. I spent 8 months just drafting ideas and basic functions, and realized it was far too huge. Now it has become a much smaller, realistic game over the design process, and I have made sure to allot myself plenty of time over the next year, as I spent the last 3 yrs cramming in 18-20 credit semesters. Should give me the time I need. Thanks a lot for the advice, and I will make sure whatever I do is polished and playable.

I do have an additional question to this I guess though. I am currently working on a game in OpenGL/C++ as a demo, and plan to spend the next year or so working my spare time through college on this game. What would be some good things to inorporate if I expect to get hired at a company like Obsidian. (Not applying just yet, but it wouldn't hurt to know). Currently it is planned to involve a fair amount of 3d Physics, and if possible I plan on making adding new terrains and areas as simple as I can on a one man job (i.e., blocking complex objects for reuse, etc.). If there is one thing my advisor has pounded into my head over the last three years its "reusability of code". Anything else I should keep in mind, or implement, to do a bit of showing off? (Oh, and do you look down on demo's from programmers that don't have the best of art appeal? :D )

That is probably highly dependent on what you are skilled in

I can't say specific schools, as I've only been to one, which isn't specialized in game programming. I'm entering my last year in a CS degree at the University of Alaska, and with professors willing to work with me, have been able to gear it towards gaming. A lot of the classes are things like calculus based physics, linear algebra, physics for game developers, and 3d classes have been helpful. Also, personal interest has been in the AI courses, as they help to develop a lot of enemy strategies. For the most part talking to students from other Universities, a CS degree is a CS degree, and its all what you make it. For the time I spend in class, I spend double that out of class reading texts, and programming. So it can all depend on the person. Hope this sort of helps.

Ok, well, you also have to look at sales. Sadly, the wishes of the loyal fanbase are really not what a developer must consider. That is, unless that fanbase is willing to buy 1000 copies each. The majority is what counts with sales, and many people know D&D. That means when D&D comes out, more people know the name, more are willing to buy it. Any half assed D&D game will sell. People may rate it poorly, but the next D&D game to come out will also sell. That's just the way it is. A new exciting set of rules on the other hand, scares people. People go with a name they know, and so sometimes the devs have to too. Yes, it breeds very little originality, but game development isn't just a spare time, its also a business.

I agree with the use of UML only to distract the ignorant. Mostly its just a waste of time.

Of course I'm willing to me as well, but preferably for a programming job, as thats what the degree will say on it. But really there's nothing to stop me from moving. If I can get a good paying job that I like, I'm more than willing to go there to do it. It's a hell of a lot better than doing a job I hate and staying in an area that really has no impact on me either way.

Yeah, there's nothing more aggravating than an enemy which you have the ability to beat, and the game just won't let you.