How do I get into the games industry?

Question

Im currently studying a computer science degree and I am hoping to find work after university in the games industry.
I would rather work on the design side of things are the skills I am learning now useful to me (programming etc)
Is there any software I can buy now to practice designing with I am quite cluless.
Thanks

are there any books or magazines anyone could reccomend?

Answer 1

You could visit, read, register and hang out at http://www.gamedev.net/

Many avid programmers/modellers/level editors, amateur and professional, visit and discuss things here - both on main site and in the forums. Its also a great source of game industry jobs.

GTKRadiant is a map level editor for many popular games and its free. You can download from http://www.qeradiant.com/. I recommend the 1.4 version because its generally agreed that 1.5beta has drawbacks.

For the most simplest guide for using GTKRadiant for map making you should check out Bubba's Arena. http://bubba.planetquake.gamespy.com/mapping.html

However some of his methods (as in using the CSG Subtract) you just use as a starter to mapping, and later you build with individual brushes which is the more professional way.

Some games use a slightly different version of radiant.. if you have a game that you specificially want to map and create for, seek out if it has its own version of editor.

I don't model but milkshake and gmax are supposed to be good modelling programs.

If you are using your advanced learnings from computer science, you may be looking at a position where you can be creative with engine source and other advanced gaming aspects, but thats well out of my league.

It seems to me the games industry prefer you have some experience, but if you've been around and done stuff to make your name known on the net, like written good tutorials on game aspects, created a standout maps, worked on a good mod, shown innovative ideas, any of these are a big plus when applying.

Seriously I've mapped for quite some time now as a hobby, and known lots of people who've done the same but with more passion, and have frequently been surprised by people I have discussed techincal aspects with, or those whose tutorials I've read, who have then landed their dream job in the gaming industry... especially some from Europe who've found jobs with major studios in the USA.

Good luck and have fun.

Answer 2

As a student you are eligible for 3d Studio Max which is a major player in the games industry. The student software is exactly the same as the professional model except you cannot produce items for sale or commerce with the student version.

A trial version is available at the Autodesk website. It gives you thirty days, but the program has a steep learning curve.

Since you are learning programming, it will give you additional benefits since you can write your own plug-ins.

Answer 3

you may want to likely artwork from everywhere, they're enormous in japan yet video games are larger now everywhere so that you may want to extremely set up save everywhere, a lot extra faculties are providing on line interest layout classes so that you'll tell its getting larger and the market extra international

Answer 4

go to career fairs.
Get 3ds Max, or Maya. They are 3d modelling studios.
A free alternative is Blender, which is really good.

Answer 5

Contact games manufactures like EA or Eidos and ask them what they want in an employee and what they would recommend you to do.

Answer 6

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