EnderAndrew Posted June 1, 2004 Posted June 1, 2004 I lack the ability to draw beyond stick-figures. I can tinker quite a bit in PSP/Photoshop, but that's it. I love design and writing though. I need to go get a degree and stop being such a slacker.
FrankK Posted June 1, 2004 Posted June 1, 2004 Designer or Gameplay programmer would be nice, since it actually hassomething to do with the game itself (and/or the game mechanics) more than graphic or tools programmer. All programming has something to do with the game itself--getting the orc to hit someone over the head is a combination of many programmer's efforts. Most users will never really know good gameplay code when they see it. They WILL notice good graphics or engine work. The most common time people notice the gameplay programmer is when the gameplay is bad. It's a sadly thankless position outside of the team (you will have a fan base comprised of the design team if you make good gameplay code, however).
Tyrell Posted June 1, 2004 Posted June 1, 2004 I would be a programmer. Infact, thats what I'm in college now for. I attend Kansas University (Going into my sophmore year this fall) and my major is Computer Science. Next year I'm taking C++ and Advanced Programming Methods. I hope to find a programming job in the gaming industry when I graduate. PlayMoreConsoles TheForce.net
EnderAndrew Posted June 1, 2004 Posted June 1, 2004 People do notice programmer's efforts. They just don't realize who is responsible. When a nice new feature is cleverly implemented, load times are reduced, DirectX9 implementation is introduced, new hardware is supported, etc. All these things are features people look for. Did anyone here ever play the old Commander Keen games? One of the games, I think it was Keen IV, had the main menu of the game on Keen's pocket-watch, with a built-in-pong game. I bet you money that the pong mini-game was a programmer's doing, and not the developers.
Sargallath Abraxium Posted June 1, 2004 Posted June 1, 2004 ...Coffee-Maker...accordin' ta Jessica U., 'twas a full-time job at BIS... ...WHO LUVS YA, BABY!!... A long, long time ago, but I can still remember, How the Trolling used to make me smile. And I knew if I had my chance, I could egg on a few Trolls to "dance", And maybe we'd be happy for a while. But then Krackhead left and so did Klown; Volo and Turnip were banned, Mystake got run out o' town. Bad news on the Front Page, BIOweenia said goodbye in a heated rage. I can't remember if I cried When I heard that TORN was recently fried, But sadness touched me deep inside, The day...Black Isle died. For tarna, Visc, an' the rest o' the ol' Islanders that fell along the way
FrankK Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 People do notice programmer's efforts. They just don't realize who is responsible. Pretty much what I was trying to say in far fewer words. With the exception of the lead graphics programmer, people almost never know the names of programmers or even know what is programming versus art or design. It's hard to tell sometimes (which is a sign of good programming)
EnderAndrew Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 We could by like Tycho from Penny Arcade and start making Game Designer Trading Cards.
@\NightandtheShape/@ Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 People do notice programmer's efforts. They just don't realize who is responsible. Pretty much what I was trying to say in far fewer words. With the exception of the lead graphics programmer, people almost never know the names of programmers or even know what is programming versus art or design. It's hard to tell sometimes (which is a sign of good programming) So hows your programmer art? "I'm a programmer at a games company... REET GOOD!" - Me
Ivan the Terrible Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 Easily Designer/Writer. Hell, if I had the experience and the computer know-how, I'd be applying this very instant. I made this half-pony half-monkey monster to please you But I get the feeling that you don't like it What's with all the screaming? You like monkeys, you like ponies Maybe you don't like monsters so much Maybe I used too many monkeys Isn't it enough to know that I ruined a pony making a gift for you?
EnderAndrew Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 FrankK, If you hide a pong mini-game in KOTOR:TSL, you will become my personal hero.
nik_bg Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 As I notice nobody votes for Tools Programmer. This is as important as other positions and is an interesting mix of 3D programing and database-like structures. Writing level/object editors is not for everyone. Nik.
Ivan the Terrible Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 As I notice nobody votes for Tools Programmer. This is as important as other positions and is an interesting mix of 3D programing and database-like structures. Writing level/object editors is not for everyone. Nik. Think it's because the programming stuff requires people to know something about computers. Any idiot can write a crappy short story and think he'd make a good writer/designer, but sit a random guy down and try and have him program a game and he'll be weeping like a little girl in a room full of onions and tear gas by the end of the day. I made this half-pony half-monkey monster to please you But I get the feeling that you don't like it What's with all the screaming? You like monkeys, you like ponies Maybe you don't like monsters so much Maybe I used too many monkeys Isn't it enough to know that I ruined a pony making a gift for you?
EnderAndrew Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 As I notice nobody votes for Tools Programmer. This is as important as other positions and is an interesting mix of 3D programing and database-like structures. Writing level/object editors is not for everyone. Nik. Think it's because the programming stuff requires people to know something about computers. Any idiot can write a crappy short story and think he'd make a good writer/designer, but sit a random guy down and try and have him program a game and he'll be weeping like a little girl in a room full of onions and tear gas by the end of the day. I've programmed in Basic, VB, DarkBasic, Pascal, FoxPro, and C. Not C++, good ol' C in Unix. And I realize that I'm a mediocre programmer. So I don't pursue it as a career. I still will sing the praises of Pascal and no one will listen.
EnderAndrew Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 I have programmed in Basic and Pascal. Yes, Pascal. You get brownie points in my book.
Ivan the Terrible Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 I've programmed in Basic, VB, DarkBasic, Pascal, FoxPro, and C. Not C++, good ol' C in Unix. And I realize that I'm a mediocre programmer. So I don't pursue it as a career. I still will sing the praises of Pascal and no one will listen. I've programmed in......none of the above. Nope. I'm not getting hired as a programmer by any company that doesn't have a death wish. I made this half-pony half-monkey monster to please you But I get the feeling that you don't like it What's with all the screaming? You like monkeys, you like ponies Maybe you don't like monsters so much Maybe I used too many monkeys Isn't it enough to know that I ruined a pony making a gift for you?
EnderAndrew Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 Most companies either want really current (read: C++, .net, C#, Python, etc) or really old (COBOL, FORTRAN). So I'm screwed.
Weiser_Cain Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 I don't know... What job includes comming up with limitless ideas(head brainstormer?) and character designs(lead cool-guy maker?)? Yaw devs, Yaw!!! (
EnderAndrew Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 I don't know... What job includes comming up with limitless ideas(head brainstormer?) and character designs(lead cool-guy maker?)? Throw coffee-fetching into that mix and you may have Feargus.
Weiser_Cain Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 Swap coffee-fetching for working non-stop and sleeping in the office and you got me. Yaw devs, Yaw!!! (
EnderAndrew Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 Throw in good organizational skills and you could be a Designer/Writer. I think that's more what you want. Brainstorming is important, but design and organization more-so.
Weiser_Cain Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 Are positions in a game studio really so set in stone? I'd think they'd be more flexable. Or do I just have an odd skillset? Yaw devs, Yaw!!! (
EnderAndrew Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 I suppose any company can operate as they so desire. However, developing a game is a multi-staged process. Brainstorming is great in pre-production. However, in order to hit a release date, you need to decide on a somewhat set feature-set, and have a game-plan. Then you need to carry out that game-plan. Being productive in a large project, gaming or otherwise somewhat dictates this. That's why many fan projects fail. It's not due to lack of creativity or great ideas. They are unfamiliar with the boring organizational process needed to complete the task at hand.
Weiser_Cain Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 That's where my minimal social life, suicide shifts, and sleeping in the office come in... Yaw devs, Yaw!!! (
EnderAndrew Posted June 2, 2004 Posted June 2, 2004 And depending on the position, you don't have to be the one organizing everything, so long as you can work within an organized structure and produce on a deadline.
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