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I'm gonna need some of your guy's input on this, and A LOT of advice.

Lately, I have decided I want to be in the development of video games, or some sort of Software Engineer(right term?). The first thing I did was going for my High School's IB Diploma(highest diploma standard in Indiana) to start me off with a chance of getting into great Universities/Colleges. This also means I will be taking many Honors classes and being in high standard classes. Next, I am planning on getting into writing software and make simple flash games/programs. Before that, I need to get a better computer. I only have a tiny notebook that also lacks a disc drive. I need a really powerful laptop or a good home computer setup. When that happens(not for a long while, maybe a year or two) I will start getting into PC games and modding them. I want to experience the feel of PC games and how they are made, so I can start making more complex games. By then, I hope to be in my Junior/Senior year of High School(I 'm a Freshman now), and start looking into colleges that fit what I am exactly deciding to do.

I have many Q's to ask as well. I'll go ahead and start:
1.What specific classes should I focus on taking? Math, Science, etc.?
2.Is this plan a good path? What should I add to it?
3.Is this a good career choice?
4.Is 'Software Engineer' a real term? No, this is serious...

I will definitely add more Q's as I think of them. Please feel free to add your input!

Coincidentally, I was in a similar boat. I didn't realize this till grade 10/11 though. The only difference is that I'm on the last section of my plan being as I'm in Grade 12 and about to apply for University.

Enough about me...

GeneralChaz9 wrote:1.What specific classes should I focus on taking? Math, Science, etc.?

Look at schools that offer the program you want to take as well the other commodities you want in a school (co-op, campus, residence, etc). See what the prerequisites are. That's your best bet. They can vary greatly. The school I'm applying to only requires Advanced Functions or Calculus and a Grade 12 average (top 6 University marks) of at least 75%. Other schools require physics, chemistry, and other courses. In short, research.

GeneralChaz9 wrote:2.Is this plan a good path? What should I add to it?

Different plans for different people. I went from playing with GameMaker, learning some Ruby (programming language), back to GameMaker, learning C++ (another language) and making games/expanding my knowledge of that. I did do a bit of Flash stuff but didn't like it.

Depending on your motivation/time/interest you will want to add more programming. If you want to make Flash games, then do that, but if you want to make games in general, just touch on it or forget it completely. Programming is the basis for all game design/development.

GeneralChaz9 wrote:3.Is this a good career choice?

Software engineer? It pays well and there is a job market for it. Unfortunately from my experience it is incredibly boring. You spend a lot of time learning about development cycles, efficient cycles, and a ton of concept before actually programming. Software engineering is like theoretical programming until late on in studies. This could be different in schools you are interested in. Personally I'm hoping to go into Computer Science.

GeneralChaz9 wrote:4.Is 'Software Engineer' a real term? No, this is serious...

Yes it is. I was actually selected by my teachers in Grade 10 to go a University mini-course for a week in a program of my choice. I went for software engineering because computer science wasn't offered and didn't like it much. Maybe my hopes were too high. It just wasn't for me.

Feel free to ask any other questions you may have!

As a side note, isn't the Unreal engine kit available for download? I don't know a thing about programming or designing games but I'm pretty sure some of those engines or whatever are available for free so that people can learn on their own. I'm sure they're very complicated but I'm sure you could learn.

Honestly, I would look around at job descriptions for game companies and see the requirements, both required and preferred. Pick out the skills and programs that the majority are asking for and just get certified and learn those both on your own and in school.

I would really make a flow-chart on a piece of paper showing where you are now and that certain skill that the job requires. Then, just write and draw out each step that is necessary to get there. You can do it. Most designers are young. You just have to have passion, commitment, and hard work.

RogueStarkiller wrote:As a side note, isn't the Unreal engine kit available for download? I don't know a thing about programming or designing games but I'm pretty sure some of those engines or whatever are available for free so that people can learn on their own. I'm sure they're very complicated but I'm sure you could learn.

It is available for download but is NOT a good starting point. The only reason it is so popular is because it is efficient. It does not automatically make your art, sound, or game better. Although it's very cool that they are offering it for free (non-commercially) it's only really good for career programmers who want to do some tinkering at home.

Plus it's always better to learn to make something yourself.

GenralChaz9, I think you should join the game dev forum.

spartan64 wrote:GenralChaz9, I think you should join the game dev forum.

I will when I get to making games...and a better computer

@Scott, very helpful! I'm only a Freshy so I still have a ways to go.

And to RogueStarkiller who recommended looking for the most wanted job listing on game developer websites is a great idea! Thanks!

I actually posted this exact same thing here some time ago. I realized ITS TOO HARD!

ctrooper wrote:I actually posted this exact same thing here some time ago. I realized ITS TOO HARD!

Don't give up!

I am willing to do whatever it takes, no matter how hard it is. Nothing else in life really appeals to me. I want a good paying job(which Scott says it is) and still enjoy what I do. I really don't feel like sitting in an office all day, or stocking shelves at the local Wal-Mart.

My Plan-B is to become a professional bowler though

GeneralChaz9 wrote: really don't feel like sitting in an office all day, or stocking shelves at the local Wal-Mart.

Wait, you don't want to sit in an office? That's pretty much all you do unless you are the director. I've watched the very cool documentary that comes with God of War 2 and it seems like a fun office job.

If you have access to GoW2 I suggest to watch the documentaries on it.

Scott wrote:

GeneralChaz9 wrote: really don't feel like sitting in an office all day, or stocking shelves at the local Wal-Mart.

Wait, you don't want to sit in an office? That's pretty much all you do unless you are the director. I've watched the very cool documentary that comes with God of War 2 and it seems like a fun office job.

If you have access to GoW2 I suggest to watch the documentaries on it.

I guess I should have been more specific: sitting answering calls and doing endless paperwork. At least when being a developer, you are working to make a final product(game). You know what I mean :\

GeneralChaz9 wrote:

Scott wrote:

GeneralChaz9 wrote: really don't feel like sitting in an office all day, or stocking shelves at the local Wal-Mart.

Wait, you don't want to sit in an office? That's pretty much all you do unless you are the director. I've watched the very cool documentary that comes with God of War 2 and it seems like a fun office job.

If you have access to GoW2 I suggest to watch the documentaries on it.

I guess I should have been more specific: sitting answering calls and doing endless paperwork. At least when being a developer, you are working to make a final product(game). You know what I mean :\

Ah, that makes sense. I'd suggest that you watch documentaries and interviews (that God of War one is superb) to fully understand what each person does at a studio. Also follow news, both game-related and industry-related, talk about that stuff here and other places and always be learning. You can learn a lot by playing and talking about games, not just making them.

You can't do one without the other.

I have the God of War Collection, I may have to put it in and see what its like. I watched the Halo 2 'Making Of' video from the limited edition and it seemed like a good and stressful time!

Like I said, I will put in the Collection sometime soon!

Also I hate you can't put more than 3 quotes inside each other But, it would make the page a little claustrophobic.

GeneralChaz9 wrote:I have the God of War Collection, I may have to put it in and see what its like. I watched the Halo 2 'Making Of' video from the limited edition and it seemed like a good and stressful time!

Like I said, I will put in the Collection sometime soon!

Also I hate you can't put more than 3 quotes inside each other But, it would make the page a little claustrophobic.

That's where I watched it. It's split into departments so you can watch everything (recommended) or just departments you're interested in. The reason it's great is because each department explains what they do in general and then show you what they did for the game. You even see code which is strange that they allowed that.

...

It's for that reason. The likelihood of you actually needing to quote that many people in unlikely.