PC Game Design Questions

[thugcore]

John and/or anyone else who might be able to help:

I'm looking to get into PC game development and don't really know where to start my research.  I'd like to do level design (or something similar) for 3-D FPS type games like DOOM, Quake, Battlefield 1942, Half-Life, etc.

Any starting points, web sites, books, etc. that would help me with getting started would be greatly appreciated.  Please post any info here or feel free to email me.

A thousand thanks in advance,

Chris "thugcore" B.
thugcore@yahoo.com

P.S.  John, keep up the good work and thanks for all of the jems you've produced over the years ... god knows how many hours I've spent playing them!  

[satori]

I think Cheapy and a few others would be good to answer this. Many folks are starting out here and it's one of the most common questions. I'm tempted to change the title of this so that people can keep their questions and answers on this in one spot. I'll see what comes back and if the response is lack lustre I'll bump some old threads.
 
 [ October 22, 2003, 04:54 PM: Message edited by: satori ]

[thugcore]

Thanks a lot for your reply ... a sticky or something similar would be super cool.  I didn't think to do a search but I'll try that now.  Peace!

[chiQ]

I'm working my way into the industry at the moment. I have a few mentors, and I keep a close eye on developer sites and Polycount for job ads. Also, check the sticky threads in the 2D/3D discussion forum on the Polycount board - www.polycount.com - where a bunch of professionals who use the site have posted regarding just this topic in one thread, and portfolio tips are posted in another.

[Pyros]

Look into gaming-based colleges. FullSail, DigiPen, etc. But, don't think these are the only answer. If you can major in Computer sciences and make a mod based on something like BF1942, or something like that, companies will be more likely to hire you then if you graduated from a gaming college.

[jmichl]

One of the bits of advice I've heard is -- in as few words as possible -- "Do".

Or, if that's a little too brief: "The only way you'll get hired as a level designer is if you have the skills and experience that companies look for, which requires you to have already made some excellent maps, which requires you to spend a lot of time making maps."

[chiQ]

Joining a mod team, taking part in community contests and challenges, producing free community game assets and distributing via sites such as lvl and Polycount, and generally putting yourself 'out there' is a good start.

Once you get a decent portfolio of work build a quality and professional-looking site to represent yourself with. Also do a CD version.

Always take constructive criticism as though it's your food and drink, and never do what I recently did - take on too much for the time you have to offer outside of your daily obligations to work and/or school.

As I already said, keep an eye on the developer sites, and never forget that many companies take on interns or are generally looking for Q&A testers - getting in on the ground floor is a good way to get a look in.

[satori]

quote:Originally posted by chiQ:
As I already said, keep an eye on the developer sites, and never forget that many companies take on interns or are generally looking for Q&A testers - getting in on the ground floor is a good way to get a look in.

If I'm not mistaken American McGee got his start at id this way.

[thugcore]

You guys are awesome!  Thanks so much for all of the info!  I'm going to get started right now with my research.  Thanks again and best wishes to all of you!  I'll see you around here at the boards!

[JohnRomeroWorshiper]

good luck thugcore

[daemonwolf]

I'll also recommend this book:
 Get in the Game - Amazon book link

One of the few well written and interesting books on the subject, and also one of the few that shows almost all aspects of game design and development, as opposed to just programming, or just design.  

An of course,  Gamasutra for resources, articles, etc on all things gaming.

If you happen to live in the Pacific Northwest there's also a really big user group for 3D artists, animators, etc called  XYZ & You that often puts on shows and goes on road trips to events like Siggraph, NAB and E3.  Great bunch of people, wonderful amount of networking opportunities.

[thugcore]

Thanks, dw ... with a full time job and part time college courses going on it's been hard to find time to learn about this stuff, but I'm making some progress.  Thanks to the kindness of others (like you and chiQ) I've been able to get in touch with good info.  Thanks again!

[Pyros]

I recommend this article:

http://bighugegames.com/jobs/industryjobtips.html

It's written by a great game designer from a great company. Recommended.

[thugcore]

Pyros:  Thanks for the link -- that was a great read!  Maybe I should continue my beta testing efforts and hope for a chance as a full-time tester?

[Pyros]

I would say so. Being a tester, and working on a fansite are two of the best ways to get into the industry.