questions about the gaming industry..

[Nevah]

(eh, this is my first post) Hey.. I'm going to college in about two weeks. We're too poor to afford an art school, so I'm heading off to a university where, luckily, they offer a major in animation. I would'nt mind getting in to the animation industry, but I prefer gaming. If I took about one or two programming classes and majored in animation there (with plenty of life drawing and anatomy classes, of course) would it be tough to get in to the gaming industry? <p></p><i></i>

[RandyPanTheGoatBoy]

Learn a 3d package, Maya or 3ds Max, preferbly and try to be as flexible as you can. Have good "traditional" skills, drawing etc and be prepared to do all kinds of things, from boring bits of level design right through to cool stomping robots, etc. Thats it in a nutshell, I think <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Good talent gets spotted. <p></p><i></i>

[Nevah]

Ah, that's good to hear.. I've already taken a class on 3dsmax (I didnt learn very much though, because my teacher just sort of sat there while we did exercises). I know the basics of 3dsmax, and I'm planning on taking maya classes as well as more 3dsmax classes this fall... <p></p><i></i>

[MartinRedmond]

I don't think it matters, none of the art leads I worked with could even draw. And they get job offers from everywhere. It's all about pimping yourself. <p></p><i></i>

[faroukba]

yeah i wouldn't even bother learning to draw<br>like martin says it's all about pimping yerself<br><br>....only kidding...learn everything you can<br>turn up for interviews with tonnes of stuff and bullshit like a<br>car salesman and I would speculate you will get the job <p></p><i></i>

[Nevah]

haha Im not sure if this is disappointing news or not, thanks though <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[bredge23]

What you need to do is find somehting you like and master it. If its modeling then 3dsmax, if its drawing you would master Photoshop (most traditional artists become texture artists), if you like talking, writing, and know a little of pretty much everything that makes a game fun you can be a producer....producers usually start off as game testers or major in stuff like english or drama (cause they need to bs alot and write alot of schedules, emails etc..) and if you want to program then obviously learn as much C code as you can. <br><br>I don't agree w/ being a jack of all trades because it would be in a sense taking time away from mastering one thing, which is the easiest way to get a job in games. <br><br>And of course hook ups like anything else....good luck\ <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br><br><br>out<br>--sik<br> <p></p><i></i>

[faroukba]

take heed nevah<br><br>(most traditional artists become texture artists), <br><br>this is akin to putting birds in cages...ya dig me or wat???!!!<br><br>like I said learn everything then they won't lock you in the wee wee titchy box <br><br>if you can draw the concept,make the model,texture it then throw in a little animation then you will find happy..this isn't to be confused with jack of all trades although I do agree with sticking to the one you are best at.....if you can do the whole process then they won't have you making the textures only.....listen anybody reading this all I am trying to do is save the poor bugger from fudging tiny squares on pixels which personally brings me out in itches just thinking about it <p></p><i></i>

[RandyPanTheGoatBoy]

The more you can do, the less chance you have of being marked as "the texture guy" or "level building guy". Most of the jobs I've got have had a lot to do with being flexible. The whole idea of working for a firm where you are pidgeon holed into doing the same thing over and over is scary. To the best of my knowledge the firms that do that kind of thing are usually the bigger ones...<br><br>Faroukba hit the nail on the head with "bird in a cage". I think most of us creative types would like to avoid that happening to us <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

[bredge23]

It's always good to know a little of everything. But the facts are it's not gonna save you from being a "bird in a cage". You're gonna be "stuck" doing one thing, but if you love it then it won't be so bad. That's just the way it is.<br><br>Well there is another route. You can be a producer....learn nothing, lie and tell everyone you know everything, and do whatever you want all day <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :hat --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <br><br> <p></p><i></i>

[Nevah]

Sounds like being a producer is my kind thing <!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Nah, I feel pretty confident in my abilites so far, and I havent even started college. I'm required to take 3dsmax classes and maya classes as well as storyboarding, one or two programming classes, figure drawing, and alot of animation (since that's the major they're offering). In other words, I'll probably become fairly proficient in many different situations. Problem is, the school is a university therefore the major is extremely limited. I'm sure I'll be accepted, but I don't want to get my hopes up. Thanks for the help, I love getting input from people such as yourselves! <p></p><i></i>

[Polx]

nevah,<br> games like animation (old skool) are the same in one aspect,I have never met anyone with a qualification in either.<br><br>Marine biologists yes,a colonic irrigator yes...qualified animator or games artis NO.<br><br>just jump ina nd thrash around.<br>I think i have a new job!<br><br>MIck would you like one too? in sunny Yorshire.<br><br>Polx <p></p><i></i>