[game_edu] question from the community

[Ian Schreiber]

A general question deserves a general answer. First, a student interested in 
game dev should figure out what specialties they are interested in (the path to 
becoming a game programmer is different from that of the artist or designer, for 
example). Then they should research the field and find the necessary skills to 
build, then learn and practice those skills. For college, seek a school that is 
a good fit to your educational and vocational needs, as well as a culture, size, 
location, etc. that's a good fit for your personality. With more specifics on a 
particular student's personal goals, I could give more targeted advice.

Don't know where to start?
* Local IGDA chapters (From Lake County, it's not more than a couple hours' 
drive to Columbus or Pittsburgh, possibly other closer ones - this is not 
unheard of for a meeting that takes place every month or three.)
* Accessible game authoring tools (Scratch, Kodu, Game Salad, Game Maker, etc.)
* Game dev classes, student clubs or organizations at your high school or at a 
nearby college or university, if there are any
* Events like Global Game Jam or Ludum Dare that force you to get off your butt 
and make a frigging game already :)
* Shameless plug: Brenda and I just released a book on careers in the game 
industry that answers questions about school and what to do there, among many 
other things: 
http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Into-Game-Industry-Successful/dp/1435458044/

- Ian




________________________________
 
From:Ryan Arndt [mailto:ryan at igda.org] 
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2011 4:15 PM
To: IG  D A Game Education Listserv
Subject: [game_edu] question from the community
 
Hello Edu SIG folks! This question came in via the contact form, there are a few 
questions in there, but the bold one is of most interest. Any advice?
 
Hi Ryan~ I am a director of a program the educates children on the Autism 
Spectrum. We have several students who are very interested in gaming (some have 
even developed their own games on line). They are creative, intelligent and 
computer savy students. What do you or your organization suggest for my students 
to do to prepare for this field while in high school and what course of study 
should they pursue in college? Also do you or are you aware of individuals who 
are willing to come out and speak to a group of interested high school students 
in the Lake County, Ohio area?
 
Thanks!
 
Ryan Arndt
Global Community Manager
International Game  D evelopers Association
Website: http://www.igda.org
Email: ryan at igda.org
 
LinkedIn: http://j.mp/IGDAli
Facebook: http://j.mp/IGDAfb
Twitter: @igda/@certainlysocial
http://facebook.com/ryan80e
Skype: ryanarndt
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