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For many, working as a video game programmer at a famous development studio sounds like a dream job. You get to design and build fun new games all day. Here are some tips for making this dream a reality.

Know what you’re getting into

Before you dive into becoming a video game programmer, spend a little time to research what working at a video game studio actually entails. You don’t want to spend time and effort becoming a video game programmer only to realize that it’s not what you were hoping for. Working as a video game programmer takes a lot of effort. The work hours and deadlines can get stressful, especially near the end of a project. Talk with people who are in the video game business, either in person or online, about any questions you may have about the business.

Create your own games

Try your hand at making your own games at home to see what it’s like. You can start with simple projects first, such as basic text games or simple shooters. Grab a book on video game programming at your local bookstore (there are many to choose from) and dive in. C and Java are good programming languages to start out with. Don’t try to create something too big or you’ll quickly get overwhelmed. The purpose of this is to learn what it’s like to make games and get a little experience, not to develop the next award winning MMORPG. Development studios will be more likely to hire you if you have a good project or two that you can include with your resume.

Go To College

Currently video game development studios are hungry for programmers. They spend a lot of money using headhunters to help them locate new people to hire. The good news is that once you are in the video game business, there are many opportunities for companies to work for. There are many different projects and locations that you can choose from. The bad news is that the studios can be very picky about hiring new employees with no previous video game programming experience. Therefore it can be very hard to get your foot in the door. Going to college for a Computer Science degree and getting excellent grades is one of the best ways to show video game studios that you will be a competent and committed employee. The classes will also give you many of the skills that you need to work. There are schools now that specialize in video game degrees, such as DigiPen. They are still relatively new and it’s not clear whether they increase your chances of getting a job in the video game industry.

Play Games

Know your games! The video game industry is changing at a breakneck pace, so it’s important to stay up to date with the new products. Play many different games every month to see what companies are doing now with video games. Development studios want to make sure that they only hire programmers that are devoted to video games. Staying up to date with videogames is an excellent way to demonstrate this.

Good luck!

Well guess what, Mom? There is actually a whole profession that earns their living from those *&%^ games! And I’m thinking for those of you who are addicted to gaming, working in the video game industry would be a real dream come true!

Before you rush out to a job interview with your highest score as your only credential, I’m going to walk you through some of the educational expectations that future employers will have.

Bachelors Degree in Computer Science

You can choose from hundreds of schools in America that offer B.A.s or higher in computer science, all the way from your local two-year college to highly ranked four-year programs at prestigious schools like MIT. No matter where you choose to get your degree from, the key is to take courses that will help you develop the knowledge and experience in gaming. This includes courses in graphics, animation and of course, programming. There are even schools such as UC-Santa Cruz, that offer a college major in video game design.

Graduate degree programs in Computer Engineering

If you are looking to take the leap to a senior level programming job, you will likely need a graduate degree. The most common choice is an M.S. in Computer Engineering, although some top level gaming executives even hold a PhD. If you are more interested in the business and marketing side of the gaming industry, an MBA might be a more appropriate choice for you.

Online degrees in Video Game Design

If you are a game geek, odds are that learning online is a natural comfort zone for you. Online programs are a great option for people looking to make a mid-career change, which will necessitate them going back to school while continuing to work a full-time job. Read more about game design degree programs here.

Video Game Design Certificates & Two Year Degrees

If the traditional college route isn’t for you, there are still some great educational options for you. Video gaming insiders often recommend Full Sail as the ideal “real world education”. The school is located in Orlando, FL and offers Associate’s degrees in game development and computer animation. In less than two years, you can have an in-depth background in artificial intelligence, game networking, structures of game design, physics, and linear algebra. Learn more about gaming degrees and certificates from programs like Full Sail at the JobMonkey.

If you are interested in learning more about video game programming education and careers, check out this interview with gaming veteran, Bill Roper. Oh, and how cool is this? There is a gaming scholarship just for those of you interested in pursuing video game design.