Game Design question

[NotTheHelper]

Guys, i plan on going to college for game development and design. I especialy wana be a level designer. Anyone know what i should try to learn b4 college, like computer languages ill need or software im going to need to use? Im a junior in highschool. (sry for spelling)

 

[Chjoodge]

I recommend grabbing a tool to make levels/maps for a finished, well-established game, and start working. Creating melee maps for Warcraft III isn't bad start at all, but also try designing something three-dimensional, like levels for some first-person shooter. I recall that Quake III Arena has a free level editor and I am sure many others have too.

You can also learn some scripting languages, for example Lua or Python. You can learn Lua in practice by developing add-ons for WoW.

Even other than that, there are so many things that are going to be useful - you can get into creative writing, drawing, narration...

 

[Jindo]

If you're new to the whole game design industry, it's a good idea to start out with basic programs that require no programming knowledge, such as Game Maker.

Using level editors from games can also be a good idea, things like Map Editors or built-in editors for puzzle games .

As far as languages go, alot of languages can be good, but C/C++ is by far the most popular language used by game developers these days, so I'd recommend learning that for sure .

Good luck with everything, hope this helps!

 

[NotTheHelper]

Ty alot guys, and yes...this helped alot, i'm going to start working on learning C++ soon so i mite be back around for help and questions regarding that.

 

[1)ark_Knight]

I'm actually thinking about going into the same field. I would like to be in game design just not 100% sure what part of it. Good luck man.

I recommend grabbing a tool to make levels/maps for a finished, well-established game, and start working. Creating melee maps for Warcraft III isn't bad start at all, but also try designing something three-dimensional, like levels for some first-person shooter. I recall that Quake III Arena has a free level editor and I am sure many others have too.

You can also learn some scripting languages, for example Lua or Python. You can learn Lua in practice by developing add-ons for WoW.

Even other than that, there are so many things that are going to be useful - you can get into creative writing, drawing, narration...

So I've already learned basic C++, Javascript, and HTML. I plan to learn the advanced parts of C++ and possibly JASS (WC3 programming language) Do you guys think knowing JASS would help me at all with getting into that type of career?

And I'm currently working my 1st huge WC map. Is that just for a learning experience type of help or would it be something I present to them in some form?

And I'm also a great drawer, mostly with pencil, but hey based on what you said.. I'm on a pretty good road towards that field. And I'm only a Sophomore

I still wonder if it's worth trying to get in that career professionally. There are so many, for a lack of better words: "Super-nerds" and highly intelligent and hardworking Asian people out there that develop all of the big games. Is it worth competing against some people?

 

[NotTheHelper]

Ty, im looking into 2 art colleges in florida to, Ringling University and Fullsail. Good luck to

 

[ReVolver]

Read this http://www.amazon.com/Sams-Teach-Yo...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199919596&sr=1-1

It costs $45.00 USD but it looks like in on sell. It is really worth it.

 

[SFilip]

> Do you guys think knowing JASS would help me at all with getting into that type of career?
No, if anything it will make it harder for you to learn C++ unless you already know it.

 

[1)ark_Knight]

So if I were to continue with my WC maps and I didn't have to learn JASS but I plan to learn C++ you think it would be better to just learn C++? I've heard knowing C++ makes learning JASS a lot easier also.

 

[ReVolver]

So if I were to continue with my WC maps and I didn't have to learn JASS but I plan to learn C++ you think it would be better to just learn C++? I've heard knowing C++ makes learning JASS a lot easier also.

C++ is from C , so learning C will give you an introduction to all the other languages. I learned JASS and PHP easy since it was like C.

 

[SFilip]

Orc_Tamer is right.
C is probably the language you want to learn first. Shouldn't be too hard to learn C++ after that.
And, after you learn that, just about any language should be piece of a cake for you (except maybe assembly which you luckily don't need when it comes to game development).

 

[DDRtists]

It really depends on what engine you are going to use. Though, your best bet would be learning C, and then C++, or going right to C++.

Some engines don't have Level editors, and stuff must be spawned in the scripting. However, some engines, such as Lawmaker, have really advanced level editors ( Provided you have loaded the level with models ( You have to make those )).

I can tell you, if you snag a job as a level designer, you will have LOADS of fun. I've done it before, tons of fun.