   A Beginner's Questions
  Hi everyone.My name is Brandon, and I just finished up my freshman year in college, working towards an Information Security degree. Well, I noticed just the other day that my college has a very well renown simulation and game design program, and I have decided to transfer my credits over to that program of study. I know how to write in QBASIC, Visual Basic, and C++. I'm thinking about going in the direction of level design/environments. My dream job is working in the MMO field. I was just wondering a few things.1) I know I won't be able to start out in a huge company, so I'll have to work my way up. Will it be difficult to find a job? I'm willing to relocate anywhere in the US/Canada to pursue the dream. 2) With the experience I have, will it be hard to catch on? I already understand the basics of the languages I mentioned, and from what I can tell, that's the main languages I will work with.3) I've never used 3ds/Maya or any other 3D software, or worked with a game engine. Does this put me at a huge disadvantage?I thank you in advance for your time. :)   
Quote:Will it be difficult to find a job?Sorry, that's a crystal ball question. What you can do is improve your chances of being looked at and hired. That means actively engaging in projects, constantly learning, and building up a portfolio of work (when you've reached a certain level of competence).Your chances of getting a job will depend on both you, your efforts over the next years, and the state of the world a few years from now.As for your other two questions, the problem is that you seem to suggest you want to program and then you want to be an artist. You are not going to be doing both. Unless you are some truly gifted individual, you need to choose whether you want to pursue programming, or art. If you get into 3D modeling, that means you will do so with just as much dedication as getting into music, or programming, or writing, or anything else.What do you really want to do? Make your mind up.   ;Quote:Original post by Beard_Oa. Will it be difficult to find a job? b. I'm willing to relocate anywhere in the US/Canada to pursue the dream.a. Yes. Unless you manage to wow the game world with your brilliant portfolio.b. You will probably have to do that before you'll be hired (same "unless" as above).Read the FAQs for the Breaking Into The Game Industry forum.;Quote:Original post by Beard_O1) I know I won't be able to start out in a huge company, so I'll have to work my way up. Will it be difficult to find a job? I'm willing to relocate anywhere in the US/Canada to pursue the dream. Like said above, that is a crystal ball question. It depends more or less on your skillsets in relation to the demand in the gaming industry today, but I would say no. Programmers should have an easier time than, say, concept artists.Quote:2) With the experience I have, will it be hard to catch on? I already understand the basics of the languages I mentioned, and from what I can tell, that's the main languages I will work with.I should say no. You know the 3 most popular languages, but if I were you, I'd start looking at Lua. Do a little bit of research on which games and corporations use it, and I understand it's what World of Warcraft runs on.Quote:3) I've never used 3ds/Maya or any other 3D software, or worked with a game engine. Does this put me at a huge disadvantage?If you want to go into level design and environment...most probably. The concept is best brought from a 3D model.Programming won't make that model for you. So I would think you would be at a massive disadvantage for not having ever used these programs. Of course, if you've had any experience with any kind of mapping program, i.e. GTKRadiant, you'll have some basics. Otherwise, start studying up.Quote:I thank you in advance for your time. :)Anytime. If anything I said was unclear, I'd be happy to clear it up for you.   