   Careers Advice
  Hi, my name is Joe, i'm 17 years old and need some careers advice if any of you have a moment...I live in England and im currently taking my AS levels (1st part of a 2 year course), these are the qualifications that get you into uni over here. I'm taking Computer Science, Physics, Maths and Biology.I really need to decide what university to go to and what i should be taking. I see myself as a Game Designer, i've been programming (mostly websites) since I was about 12 and i've scraped into a bit of flash game programming which i really enjoyed but found it hard to progress with due to it's complexity past making objects move. That's why i'm going to uni, so i can get better (obviously).Firstly, what does being a Game Designer entail? I pictured it as the guy who works closely with the programmers to produce certain effects and environments etc. Also, what other interesting jobs are there in that area?Secondly, what subject should i be taking at university to become a Game Designer/Programmer? Computer Science right? or Computer Science and Maths?Thirdly, what is the best university to be going to if i want to go into Game Developement?Fourthly, what books should i be reading to help myself learn about this kinda stuff in advance for my interview and just for personal interest?Any advice will be greatly appreciated, it could well change my life.Joe   
  Hi Joe, you wrote:>Firstly, what does being a Game Designer entail? I pictured it as the guy who works closely with the programmers to produce certain effects and environments etc. Yes and no. He works closely with the programmers, but it's artists who create effects and polish environments created by level designers. Read FAQ 14 at http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson14.htm for more about the job of game designer.>Also, what other interesting jobs are there in that area?The most closely related jobs are level designer (FAQ 69 - http://www.sloperama.com/advice/m69.htm) and writer (FAQ 32 - http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson32.htm)>Secondly, what subject should i be taking at university to become a Game Designer/Programmer? Computer Science right? or Computer Science and Maths?You asked two questions and made one guess. To become a programmer, yes. CompSci. Take math as a minor only if you want to. But to become a game designer, study whatever you want. Read FAQ 3 at http://www.sloperama.com/advice/designprep.htm>Thirdly, what is the best university to be going to if i want to go into Game Developement?There is no best university. Read FAQs 34 and 44: http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson34.htm and http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson44.htm>Fourthly, what books should i be reading to help myself learn about this kinda stuff in advance for my interview and just for personal interest?List of books is FAQ 8: http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson8.htm;  Thanks for your quick response! Presuming that's your website (due to the link in your name and the website name), I'm lucky you came along. I will have a look at that tomorrow when I have some time! it looks very informative and will be very useful... cheers!   