What should I study to become a Video Game Producer?

adrian2040 · May 23, 2010

I need to select a career to study in my University, but there is no exact "Video Game Development" Career. The career which most resembles it is Systems Engineering. So should I study this and then study a major on video game development? Where can I study that? Once I go through my initial studies, I will be able to study anywhere around the world. So, help please.

Blood Fetish · May 23, 2010

You don't want a career in video games.

Scorpei · May 23, 2010

I think my housemate studies something in that direction, however that isn;t university level. But what do you want to do when you grow up so to speak? Do you want to write the code behind the game, the story, do the artwork, 3D modelling, etc?

adrian2040 · May 23, 2010

Initially I just wanted to write code. Now I want to become a producer like Shigeru Miyamoto (Or at least try to get to his level). I know that it takes time to become a producer, so if I had to choose something I would choose the 3D animation and modeling.

Also, I want to become a video game developer not for the money, but for the dream. So don't try to sway me off.

Blood Fetish · May 23, 2010

Everyone does it for the dream, and then they get in the industry and realize it isn't what they thought by a long shot. As for majors, focus on what you want to do. If you want to be a producer, then you need to be focused in communications, production, etc. The fact that your medium is video games is ancillary.

adrian2040 · May 23, 2010

Blood Fetish said:
Everyone does it for the dream, and then they get in the industry and realize it isn't what they thought by a long shot. As for majors, focus on what you want to do. If you want to be a producer, then you need to be focused in communications, production, etc. The fact that your medium is video games is ancillary.

I have this idea that work will be almost 24 hours a day, no sleep, work fast in order to meet the release dates, work like crazy, etc. I know it is hard, but I just want to create happiness for people in the form of art. I want to make people happy, and this is my way to do it. Also, I would get money in the way. I wouldn't care a lot if they pirate my games, only the companies would. But that wouldn't mean I'd leaked them or not put anti-piracy on them or else they would fire me.

xMekux · May 23, 2010

Here a good site to start with =)
Video Game Career

Ps: In some countries got career for development of video games =P like where i am =)

exangel · May 24, 2010

adrian2040 said:
Blood Fetish said:

Everyone does it for the dream, and then they get in the industry and realize it isn't what they thought by a long shot. As for majors, focus on what you want to do. If you want to be a producer, then you need to be focused in communications, production, etc. The fact that your medium is video games is ancillary.

Click to expand...

I have this idea that work will be almost 24 hours a day, no sleep, work fast in order to meet the release dates, work like crazy, etc. I know it is hard, but I just want to create happiness for people in the form of art. I want to make people happy, and this is my way to do it. Also, I would get money in the way. I wouldn't care a lot if they pirate my games, only the companies would. But that wouldn't mean I'd leaked them or not put anti-piracy on them or else they would fire me.

My bro worked for Blizzard as a World of Warcraft GM. He got the job because... he had plead guilty to some trespassing charge or something when he was a teenager and served his community service, I think, being a janitor for them several years ago. It helped that he already lived in Irvine, had his own transportation, had already been playing WoW off and on for 2 years, and he's really damn smart. He had no credentials or anything and he got in, and that was great fortune and all.

Personally, my dream job would be to do secondary localization from an asian language/culture to american english language/culture on games or even instruction manuals for whatever company.

There are so freaking many aspects of the industry though.

Assuming you do not already have any connection to the Video Game industry,
If you're willing to work hard to produce art and from what you say, money is a byproduct of this hard work not the reason for it, you should be a programmer. If the reward of making a game that works and brings joy to people is inherent, that is probably the best place to start.
The reason I go out on that limb to say you should start studying programming, is because the designers I know do not have anywhere near the job stability the programmers I know do. Being in the business steadily is the hardest thing to keep your resume looking great.

grape_garden · May 24, 2010

I think you should take a look at what this guy has to say: http://seanmalstrom.wordpress.com/. Look for his entries where he talks about "game gods" and hero worship, and starry-eyed developers who go into the industry for all the wrong reasons, which is exactly what you're doing. Developing games isn't about making a name for yourself or having fun, it's all business. Honestly, Miyamoto himself isn't even a programmer by trade.

exangel · May 24, 2010

grape_garden said:
I think you should take a look at what this guy has to say: http://seanmalstrom.wordpress.com/. Look for his entries where he talks about "game gods" and hero worship, and starry-eyed developers who go into the industry for all the wrong reasons, which is exactly what you're doing. Developing games isn't about making a name for yourself or having fun, it's all business. Honestly, Miyamoto himself isn't even a programmer by trade.

I agree. The Video Game industry is just like the Entertainment industry with different celebrities and brands, and there is no tried and true guide one can follow to make it big and have your individual creative vision seen. You could study Business, Critical Thinking, Marketing, Sociology, and so on and still, your career will ultimately boil down to how you can impress your superiors and how you can manipulate your work situations to give you an advantage if you don't already have some sort of connection to the industry. But think of it this way, if you want to be a Filmmaker, there is no single, winning credential except work you've done for and with others to develop enough leverage to become a producer or director.

zeromac · May 24, 2010

You should major in 'fun' in you want to be a game producer

I myself want to get a job testing video games, that would be my dream job..

FlameTakuya · May 24, 2010

^ That's not very fun to do either, all you do is rush through games and look for bugs, etc. You end up playing the same part over and over, and you'll get sick of all the games that go through your hands. :/

Private|Par · May 24, 2010

Yeah, Zeromac, probably not a very good idea. I've heard horror stories by many a game tester about horrific deadlines and monstrous paperwork.

I would imagine you would need to do some sort of programming course, but I don't know if that will result in what you're aiming for. Whilst programming will get you in the studio door (maybe. They have a lot of programmers.) it will not build a name for yourself. Perhaps trying what Bloodfetish suggested, and focus on production first, videogames second. That way you can move into videogames later on.

Veho · May 24, 2010

A video game producer is a guy with good connections that can get enough money for someone else to make a game. If you want to become a producer, you should study management.

EDIT: Now, if you want to develop games, you'll have to figure out what part of the development process interests you most. Is it writing the AI, the physics engine, the graphics engine, or is it the more visual things like character and level design? Each part requires a different skill set.

Whipple · May 24, 2010

Follow your dream!

Do what you have a talent in and enjoy doing.

Get your formal education early on to be able to get started in your chosen career.

I started in a career (job) to get the bills paid, but it wasn't what I really wanted to be doing. Working on different shifts as needed kept me out of traditional colleges to complete my formal education. When online education started becoming mainstream (i.e. University of Phoenix in USA) I took advantage of the opportunity and completed my Bachelors and Master degrees. I obtained the current certifications that employers wanted. It took a long time, it was expensive, but I did it. I now have a position that I love and it was worth all that hard work to get there. Life is good.

Remember, employers want to hire someone who will benefit their company. They will be looking at formal education, certifications, and most importantly experience. You have to ask yourself, "What are you brining to the table when you apply for a position?" Your resume often creates the first impression that a company has of you an you only have one chance to make that critical first impression. Make it count.

Never lose sight of your goal, and plan the best path to attain it. Do not listen to the nay sayers for they are not in your shoes. No one knows what is best for you, other than yourself. Go for it and best of luck to you!

TheTwoR's · Feb 6, 2011

Hey guys I did a quick search and found this thread which is very similar to what I wanted to ask.
Now I wanna work with Animation and Music Production but I also wanna develop games. Like I want to take care of the graphics and animation in it, so what courses should I study to be able to do those?

What should I study to become a Video Game Producer?

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Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?

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executioner angel

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Finally reached 1000 posts EXACTLY

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