How can you start off a career for game programming?

Question

My 12 year old cousin has wanted to program games since he was 6 and when got a ps2.

I want to know what he can do to get ahead so when he leaves secondary school he is ready to either get a job in gaming(what subjects should he take in his GCSE's,what subjects would affect his employers opinion when hiring, etc) .

He is reasonably smart and he knows a lot about games he just wants to know if he start off making small games with a software or something like that.

Please answer he is very passionate about this and I told him I would do my very best to help him with this.

Thank you

N3xtG3nGam3r99

Answer 1

Hook him up with a computer and some books on C++, Java and Flash. The "Dummies" series are pretty good for beginning programmers. He'll learn structure, language and syntax. From there, he should be able to expand on his own. Tel him to keep copies of his programs to use in a portfolio and also to measure his own progress.

Micro$oft's XBOX programmers are a pretty friendly bunch as well, so shooting them an email for advice wouldn't be a bad idea

Answer 2

Here is a simple version for a 12 year old: go to college and get a degree in Computer Science. Then learn when you're there something called C++ (the teachers should know what C++ is).



So I would definitely get a bachelor's degree in computer science and learn programming languages like C++ or other object-oriented languages. Go to monster.com and type in "game programmer" for a job and then look at what a typical employer is looking for in the qualifications sections.



For instance, here are the qualifications of a typical associate game programmer:



Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Engineering, physics, mathematics or similar. • At least 2 years programming experience in C++ is MANDATORY. • Strong architectural sensibility including design pattern knowledge. • Experience with TDD and refactoring preferably in an XP environment. • Able to focus and work without micro-management. • Excellent written and oral communication skills. • Positive, team-oriented attitude. DESIRED • Background in 3D linear algebra. • Experience in a scrum development team. • Experience with Lua. • Knowledge of SQL.

Answer 3

Many community colleges now have courses in game programming. He could start before he graduates from high school. There are many resources on-line to help him get real game programming experience as well - I would suggest he start with GameDev.net: http://www.gamedev.net/reference/start_here/. See Tom Sloper's site for good game design career advice: http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson12.htm.



Good luck to your cousin!