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I know a guy that works for a game company located near San Francisco, though I'm not sure which one.  I worked as a contract programmer for a small game company around 2000 or 2001.

 

What are you looking to find out?

I just want to converse with one a little to get an idea of how things work on the inside. Good languages to know, structure within, and methods of increasing your chances. What degrees will be desired and classes and such. My ultimate goal is to work for a known game company. My dream is to work at Blizzard but I am willing to bet with the quality of their games and as much as they have going on it is near impossible to get in.

I just want to converse with one a little to get an idea of how things work on the inside. Good languages to know, structure within, and methods of increasing your chances. What degrees will be desired and classes and such. My ultimate goal is to work for a known game company. My dream is to work at Blizzard but I am willing to bet with the quality of their games and as much as they have going on it is near impossible to get in.

 

Get on Facebook or Myspace (*shudder*) and search for people in the networks in which you are interested in conversing. I have had a similar interest, and I have been able to make some contacts at MS Game Studio, 3 Rings, and Acclaim as well as a contact at Google. I'm sure if you are persistent enough, you'll be able to get some contacts. Keep in mind that their time is money, and they're not going to want to just "shoot the breeze" with you, but I've found that most people in roles such as those of which you speak are more than willing to discuss valid questions if you present yourself in an intelligible way and are willing to wait for a response.

 

Another place to start building connections is http://www.linkedin.com. I'm not a big fan of social networking sites, but they can indeed get you some legitimate contacts when used appropriately. Good luck.

If you want to develop PC or console games you'll need to know C and C++ very well.  It also helps to specialize in something like graphics, sound, networking, permanent storage, etc.  Also, from my understanding, be ready to work long hours because the game industry is particularly brutal.  I initially wanted to be a game developer but it was hard to get in the door so I landed in web development.  I'm happy where I am because the environment is relaxed and the hours are regular and dependable.  In 2 years I've never once had to call home and say, "I'm going to be a little late, there is a problem that has to be fixed by tomorrow."  I don't think you could say that in game development.

 

Oh, one more quick thought, a great way these days to get yourself noticed is with a mod to a current game.

Oh, one more quick thought, a great way these days to get yourself noticed is with a mod to a current game.

 

only with a truly exceptional mod...i think that hl2 portal was a mod...awesome game. 

 

a fat guy in his basement can mod a game...naked.(trust me, i know ;) )  it takes a good mod to get noticed.

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