My all time goal in life it to become in video game design wether it be in modelling / programming / level design / sound or any other aspect of it. My current problem is how to chose a proper path to get me to that goal. Do I do a tech program geared towards game development? Do I get my College Degree and then go on to an Multimedia and Arts program in university? Should i quit school altogether and try and find work? Or should i find another solution that i havn't yet mentioned.

Right now I am a High School graduate and I am currently studying in college in a fine arts program in College.

I would love to work for companies like Nintendo, UbiSoft, EA Games and more companies like that.

I would like some real guidance and support from as many people as possible to really help chose the proper path to obtaining my dream.

Thanks very much in advance and I look forward to your responces.

You building on your education and that's a great thing, however it sounds like you don't have a specific goal as of yet. You don't know if you want to design, model, etc and this is an import decision you must make. Without this goal, you study concentration will be too general.

First, find out what it is you want to do. Join a mod, start a mod, or do something and see it all the way through. This will not just give you something to put in your resume, but it will help you to realize what it is that you want to do.

I suggested a mod and not just a map because a mod is a more involved project that better resembles work in the industry. Imagine working on the same project for 2-6 years straight... you better enjoy what you are doing.

Once you have narrowed down what it is you want to concentrate on, you need to get noticed doing it.
- Start a mod centered around your goal.
- find some contacts (more than one) of people already in the gaming industry. Perhaps someone that worked on the game you are modding.
- ask them questions and show off your progress.

By the time you are done with this mod you will have:
- something else in your portfolio to prove that you can do the job you want to do
- someone already in the industry who knows your name so that if a job comes up, they might mention your name

That second point I just made... that is how you get a job in the industry. You can try the intern route or sending in applications all of which will require a good education in the field. However, if you want to start working on your dream... get someone who's already working there on your side.

Good luck with your dreams.

Fullsail game design school

Fullsail here

I live lessthan 30 min from fullsail, and I've employed a number of fullsail graduates @ 8-12 dollars an hour doing graphic design... Out of those employees, every single one of them has said very negative things... The only positive note I've heard so far, is they are good for a beginner crash course in modeling to get the basics...

If you want I can link you up will a few former students, and you can get thier input directly...

ah.. doing graphic design. See, I have seen at least 5 resumes with portfolios come across my desk from fullsail graduates. I hired only one for having adequate skills (not great.. just adequate). Then later had to fire them because the skills I thought they had were much poorer than expected.

I don't know what or how they are teaching over there, but I think the program needs a review.

I would love to work as a map designer, for a company like activision, at the moment im just learning as much as i can about mapping, and as i go on my maps will get better and better.
I am hoping to 1 day have a big name, like wyatt earp for his video tuts, but instead it will be Ricsta for his maps.

I also wondered about the map stanjel, it was a custom map for cod, so i gather the guy who made it got noticed by activision, and i take it he is working there now, as his map is in cod uo.

So remember my name is Ricsta, the cod mapper:p

i got into the game indusrty a rather wierd way. I got a degree in music tech . . i wanted to be a soundengineer / producer. the thought of writing game music appealed to me so i researched it. finding that there was too juch to learn in the field of gaming i decided to do a second degree in somputer gaming (software development). you dont have to do that but it gives you greater insight into the industry.

From then on its getting down and dirty with it. Map and mod for all the games that will let you do it, code simple betting programs (fruitmachines, blackjack . . easy things that uses object orientation and C++)

I really cant say any more than get stuck in. Stop playing games and read more into it.

I was offered a sound design position with nokia for one of their games so i did that and i feel it went a success. hopefully by the end of the year i will have a job in the industry full time as i get this games computing degree in september (hopefully im on for a 2.1 . . maybe a first . .)

Getting involved is the main thing. Talent stands out a mile

My name is San Shepherd. I am a producer at Pyro Studios in Madrid (www.pyrostudios.com). We are currently starting a next-gen console FPS (PS3 & Xbox 360) and are going to start recruiting soon. For those of you with proven experience in creating world class mods, you can get a head's start by sending your CV to jobs@pyrostudios.com.

Junior roles we will be hiring for include: level builders/designers & game mechanics designers.

If you are very passionate about FPSs and have a clear, consice and presentable CV package, don't hesitate to send it to us.