One of these three things. Doesn't matter which one

1. Jump the English Channel

2. Eat Chichester Cathedral

3. Tunnel from New York to Java (the country)

Guys, I really hope to be a Game Designer someday after I finish College.. But what course should I take ?? Computer Science or ?? Pls help me guys !

Thanks.

NoctisCaelum52

By Game Designer, I believe you mean someone who plans out what is going to be in a game. For these types of positions, I would believe you would have to have some seniority or clout with the company you're working with or possibly show you have good ideas to pitch for a game. It could also be a case of who you know in the game industry. Game Creators, from what I have heard, take on managerial aspects of both the creative design and the basics of the programming so it's good to have some knowledge of computer science and graphic design.

From what I've heard in the past from other game developers, you can make your way into the game industry (and eventually become a game creator) in a few different ways. Your best bet for getting into the game industry is to go from two different avenues. One way is to become based in programming; this is just learning how to write how games work from a computer aspect and designing how your game will operate. Another method is to become a graphic designer; this is learning how to design layouts and artwork so that the programmer can efficiently use the layout.

If you want to take the programming route, taking classes in computer theory and computer programming at a college can help you understand a lot of aspects of what goes into designing a game (fundamentally). However, if you can only afford community colleges that have directed programs in game design you could take those (if you live on the west coast, these directed programs are probably very beneficial since they can put you into the industry right after your done learning). Also learn languages like C++, since most game developers (who develop for XBOX and PS3 games) use this language.

Another method is to become very well based in graphic design. Taking a few graphic design classes at a community college might help you but I would definitely research more about what type of graphic designers game developers want.

Some advice I would give overall is to learn both computer programming and graphic design. Game creators need to be able to understand aspects of both fields in order to understand how to use the two efficiently. I am not in game design but I did research a bit about around 4 years ago before I got into college. I think the best advice I could give you is to decide which game you think is the funnest game to play in your collection. Then, if you can, talk to people you know who are in the game industry about how to make games like your favorite game. If you don't have friends in the game industry, then I would mail a letter or email the company that made the game and ask how what you should do to start making games like that. Hope this reply helps.

This year I'm taking this Java class where I learn the language and how to program with it. The problem is, I still don't even know what it does. Can I make games with it? Keep in mind I'm dumb with computers and have no idea how to program.

Jfisch93

Yes, you definitely can make games with it. However, Java isn't really set up to easily make games. You have to have a lot of knowledge about Java, and object-oriented programming in general, to make decent games.I would just try and learn Java in your class for the time being and maybe later on do some extra studying and ask your teacher if he can help you understand it.A lot of the concepts and programming knowledge that one needs to know in order to make a decent game are veryconfusing for someone new to programming.

well ya but my computer is not showing class pathxfactor19990

Try to run it again with Vista and type the classpath as well as the javac command: C:\Program Files\Java\..(Make sure to put the correct classpath I'm just guessing what it might be)...\bin\javac HelloWorld.java. If it doesn't work then you could try copying how your XP OS (don't change any of environment variables) has its environment variables set up and modify them likewise in Vista (taking into account differences in where you place your Java stuff).

If those methods don't work then I would suggest doing all of your programming through XP for the time being. You could ask your teacher if he/she can help you out with setting it up in Vista or you could post on sun's forums and I'm sure one of the people there could help you. I'm unsure of how to help you any more since I mostly use a Solaris Unix shell for my java stuff. Sorry.

ya, dude no matter what vista will not run it, and i have tried everythig on the guides, no its just going crazyxfactor19990

There is a guide here for Vista OS users: http://ryan.ifupdown.com/2008/12/04/environment-variables-in-windows-xpvista/. Use it for the time being for your Vista OS. It's probably fine to just do leave at this for now but for larger projects in Java, that include a lot of files, make sure to ask your teacher how to setup the environment variables correctly.

ok update, so i just tried same steps as to what i was doing on XP and it worked, is there something wrong on vista? imean it flat out denies any codes like if you go to cmd and type javac it just says unrecognized

xfactor19990

Well, if you have already left the forum then I'll leave with some helpful tips (plus where I live its really late and I'm tired).

There is a tutorial provided by Sun (the makers of Java) for writing the Hello World which uses the command prompt your using:

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/getStarted/cupojava/win32.html Go through it and follow it closely.

For other tips I can give.

1. Make sure that the java file is inside the bin folder of the Program_FilesJavajdk.... bin. If the file is not inside the java folders then the compiler can't read it.

2. Make sure when typing pathnames to make that the filepath is typed correctly.

3. Also I don't know if you changed your filename to match the public cla$$ name. Make sure to do that eventually.

Ask your teacher about the problem if none of these suggestions help you out.

Sorry I wasn't much help.

Just to clarify You put your helloWorld.java program into your bin folder and ran C:> \Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_16\bin\javac HelloWorld.java and gave you back the response: 'javac' is not recognized as an internal or external command. Also make sure your in the right directory. It starts out in Documents and Settings and you need to be in Program Files.

C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_16\binxfactor19990