The Realities of Life in Game Development

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Video game studios bring together a number of different creative types, from artists and programmers to the business-minded. Navigating the different personalities you'll meet is as much of a challenge as the technical work that goes into software development, and these Full Sail University grads and industry professionals will share their day-to-day experiences, as well as the challenges of transitioning to different studios and different roles.
Panel:
Kerry Allen
2006 Game Development graduate; Software Engineer III, EA Tiburon
Will Dull
2005 Game Development graduate; Software Engineer III, EA Tiburon
Rob Coble
Industry Outreach, Game Studies
Grant Shonkwiler
2008 Game Design & Development graduate, Technical Producer, iD Software
For more information about Full Sail University visit our site:
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Located in Winter Park, Florida, Full Sail University offers associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees designed for the world of entertainment, media, arts, and technology. Full Sail's creative approach to education provides an immersive, fast-paced, and relevant learning experience that mirrors the workflow and collaboration found throughout today's rapidly evolving industries.
Full Sail’s areas of study include music and recording, games, art and design, film and television, technology, media and communications, business, and sports marketing. Full Sail graduate credits include work on OSCAR®, Emmy®, GRAMMY®, ADDY®, MTV Video Music Award, and Video Game Award nominated and winning projects.

[@simonstrane]

Create, don't consume. Participate, don't spectate. It is easy to play a video game, but it is harder, but more rewarding to make one.

[@catalinbuga724]

Very poetic! And insipiring Good job!

[@esaw7067]

simonstrane so true dude

[@indieforger2654]

+FLLN Do whatever it is that you want to do not what pays well. From own experience I can only tell you that that 100 - 150 a day will make you happier short time only. Go for what you love and that will make you happy forever! ;) My point is... that you should do what will keep you going every day, in layman terms: make sure you are waking up excited every day. GOOD LUCK! ps. you can follow twitter.com/IndieForger if you want to get in touch.

[@normalguycap]

+simonstrane Only as you get older.

[@nataliethomas6495]

+simonstrane This was beautifully said. Some persons do not understand how challenging it is to create a game. Look at this dev www.livecoding.tv/video/gamedev-the-grid-6/

[@sirjared21]

Reality is, y'all need to form a union. Most larger game devs treat their employees like trash and respect project profitability more than employee welfare.

[@Baconator1313]

Having the same job as one of "those guys at the back," I appreciate that he was nice enough to do that shout out at the end. I know it can be time crunching when given something needing to be shown last minute, so it is great to be appreciated every once in a while when things go right.

[@christiansanchez7561]

I will be sitting on a panel like that one day

[@Michael-zu3ld]

Yes, yes you will :)

[@pokemaster540]

WalrusDubstep the world needs more people like you :)

[@Michael-zu3ld]

[@liliosegovia2174]

you and me both :D.....

[@Michael-zu3ld]

Yes. That, THAT is true.

[@artusadil8071]

this programmer looks like the perfect stereotype for being a programmer

[@super117knight]

and his prop pretty wealthy

[@OttosTheName]

Awesome vid. Also the programmer on the right reminds me of King Horik

[@Kaidenki]

"Once you see sausage made..." lol giggled at that part.

[@LoriWolfcat]

When you join a team, when can you start making your own games?

[@fullsailuniversity]

From day 1 and you could improve it as you proceed through courses. If you like, you can contact Admissions at 844-706-0685 or [e-mail]. We can help you determine which degree program may fit you best.

[@tekh-kr7gr]

The biggest miss conception is that you have to get a degree to be a game developer. People let's get a grip and go back to let say 1985-1993, Where in the hell were any of these schools for game development? They didn't exist, but we had Atari and Nintendo. All you need is your ambition, learn to code get a book and learn to code, I did. If your an artist and you can draw then that is a plus on your side but it all boils down to the programming, you don't need a degree it's all what you know. I've been coding for 4years now and I have my own company, 3 apps in the google play store and working on a mobile game right now never step foot in any college. The title for this video should be "How to WORK for a Large Game Company" and if you can figure that title out then your gonna be a great developer, cause it shows you can problem solve.

[@mswebkinzgirl1003]

I'm 15 and trying to learn zbrush and coding XP maybe one day I will work for a big company

[@KnoxicKnoxy69]

Did ya make it?

[@--T3NN0--]

do you have one of your universitys in Puerto Rico?

[@fullsailuniversity]

Full Sail is only located in Winter Park, Florida,

[@battlefront390x]

+Full Sail University I'm glad i live in florida i wanna become a game dev in the future

[@battlefront390x]

+Full Sail University I'm glad i live in florida i wanna become a game dev in the future

[@geekspritt5932]

+FPSgames late response, but definitely don't use unityscript if you want to be a game dev in the future. C# is unity's best supported language, and unlike unityscript, is used in many places outside of just unity

[@stannisthemannis8694]

do you take students from the uk

[@fullsailuniversity]

We do. You can find our international student requirements here: www.fullsail.edu/admissions/international

[@nenissaK]

20:22 c: 26:02

[@pedjamigrant7189]

yeah all these people had luck. other people dont have luck . summerized.

[@negus_nark2159]

I would love to go into the video game industry when I get older but I'm not the best at math. Does mathematics play a large role in this type of industry?

[@JDCompany99]

it depends, if you want to be a programmer yes but if you want to design levels and characters then no.

[@A.C._]

It's funny to think that when you're actually programming, you use very basic math like addition, multiplication, decimals, etc.

[@JDCompany99]

learning maths improves racional thinking, and that plays a huge role in programming

[@A.C._]

Diaj^ Very good point

[@JDCompany99]

***** you can still do it, don't worry, statr with the basics with gamemaker and unity, I'm still there and then when i study in college i'm going to start to programme with more advanced stuff, the important thing is to start somewhere

[@amazingsparckman]

Hmmm I don't use any programming for my games, i don't think it's necessary these days, all my games are done without coding.

[@TheHyperSheep]

+Sparckman lol wut?

[@amazingsparckman]

TheHyperSheep XD

[@czos9239]

+Sparckman Games don't even have to reach my head, I crap them out when I'm on the can. You can't process me with a normal brain. I am battle-tested bayonets, bro. Oh wait, can’t process it. Losers. Winning. Duh!

[@amazingsparckman]

CZ OS what? LOL

[@czos9239]

Sorry, had a Charlie Sheen moment. Nothing to see here...

[@RaskaTheFurry]

talking about how EA learns through forums. Yeah weve seen that *cough*Rapefield*cough* *cough* sorry , thats my cancer that i got from that game.

[@SkilletTom]

Someday i will sit on a stage like and they'll be like: "Hey Tom you're pretty fuckin sweet around these parts man what's your secret how do you do it?" Me: "Uhgn" *The crowd sweats in awe and dramatic tension as the words sound through the entire complex*

[@OrvilleScott]

I know how you feel man

[@rolindadaninja]

such a vivid and poetic image

[@ferrettankror1]

It is a kinda informative video. Remember, this is put on by a college that WANTS more game development students. So this is a pretty biased video on the gaming industry. If you want to see what it is really like search the forums. There you will find the good and bad of game development. Still, I love game development and want to get into it despite the bad side of the industry.

[@Sushobhit333]

watched the whole video. very nice experience. just to remain motivated in developing games.

[@antisocialone]

Is that you L?

[@FrancoFrames]

Bryson Hills L?

[@mattmadden2274]

Francois Codourey He's a character from an anime called Death Note. I would highly recommend it if you're into psychological thrillers.

[@raycatchgames174]

idiot333 Wait you go from being dead in an Anime to developing video games? Clever, L.

[@nerf2752]

+idiot333 hello brother

[@Hedgeeeeee]

I tend to find working with introverts significantly more productive in any line of work. Talk to an introvert about work, while at work, and they will bang on about it for hours. Extroverts tend to drift off into some non-work related nonsense about themselves. The guy with long hair based his comments on "a few people I've worked with" blind to the fact that there's a very strong possibility that hes still working with some. He's even sat next to one. My advice to him would be to stick to game dev, and leave psychology to the psychologists. Also, sort out that image. I wouldn't start a conversation with someone looking like that.

[@SasukeUchiha723]

im an introvert too... yup i enjoy work rather than talk other things

[@inspectornigel9355]

Sasuke Uchiha same

[@haykav]

God damn that was savage

[@StarOfStar]

I think what he meant was those extreme introverts. Really sounds like it. Everyone are a littlebit extro/introverts, but some are more extreme of one of those, which is not good.

[@aonoymousandy7467]

Hedge i agree, the guy with the long hair is stereotyping introverts, and not suprisingly they unanimously agree. people should stop speculating in psychology when they know nothing about it

[@Yadeehoo]

In the beginning they're laughing at indie developpers, like if yo wanna go that route, goood luck. Only later on saying they're playing indie games to refresh their inspiration, so... Not really addressing any issues and patting theirselves on the back a lot instead. Kinda cheesy to me overall. Not bad, just cheesy

[@Cinnamon1080]

Rainbow Sam Well, they aren't wrong. It's a total crapshoot making an indie game. Indie anything now is a nightmare. You'll almost certainly fail. Pretty spectacularly, too.

[@Yadeehoo]

Yeah it's kind of theft. They can make things happen within their structure and steal ideas from indie creators, starting the conference by pooping on them. A more honest interview would've been to express right away how influencial indie devs are to them and thanking them for working for free on the ideas they will use to make money on. You might not understand anything i'm trying to convey here but i'm opened to questions if you further need to

[@rasako9742]

they're pretty arrogant. It's how most high level corporate thinking works. Piss and moan about how they would never hire someone who can't be a team player and thinks he's the smartest person in the room yet they're pretty much describing themselves. Especially since indie game development has been becoming a huge deal and it's only a matter of time before a mega hit is made through indie dev. There have already been plenty of big indie hits in the last like 4 years. the UK guy seems to be the most genuine of them

[@sublimesubaru2857]

@@rasako9742 yup It happend with PUBG was an indi developer that made that game and now Player Unkown Battlegrounds is a house hold name now in the gaming community its incredible.

[@NikosKatsikanis]

I do web dev, but I do game programming on the side, Good advice! You can make games in JS, thats what I'm teaching on my channel.

[@bretttomlin4608]

Full sale is my university I wanna go to in the next two-three years and hopefully I will be able to join. My future career that I want is game programming so this video helped out alot!!! thank you guys so much

[@blackdahlia3875]

Brett Tomlin Have you applied yet??

[@voxeledphoton]

13:54 that snicker ._.

[@dragon47208]

1:00 he looks like Jesus

[@jojo_svfx]

Andrew Wallace he is Jesus

[@sammydraws9322]

What if I don't know nothing about developing games like writing codes but is good in arts. Do you think It will be very hard for me when I just start college? I want to create an indie game someday... well that's my goal.

[@andrewriker4369]

You never stop learning because every game is somewhat unique to anything that has been created.

[@programthis3805]

developer in the black t-shirt clearly has been crunching for months

[@sebg6865]

Very nice interview, enjoyed every minute of it. Some day I will be a game Dev sitting up there on that panel, I promise.

[@tubeincompetence]

Original xcom was just so much more fun than the official new one.

[@AnthonyMcqueen1987]

Great insight from these pro developers on the real world of Game development when the time comes for me in April graduate and I have opportunities out there.

[@kurosenpai]

Good Luck

[@AnthonyMcqueen1987]

Kuro Senpai Thank you I need it

[@kurosenpai]

***** did you graduated from computer science? I did but im working in a marketing exec. Hope you really go for your dream, dont be like me

[@AnthonyMcqueen1987]

Kuro Senpai not yet graduation isnt till April I am nervous and anxious. I dont admit to know everything about games but I have a general foundation and hopefully EA will hire me.

[@kurosenpai]

*****​ why dont you be an indie developer. ? Start from a small company and gradually grow bigger. Becoming salaryman is a very stressful thing. Since you are graduating from cs, you must be very adept with c# and java. Get Unity and make your own game, maybe mobile games. I buy your game if its good. Lol

[@000Gua000]

14:00 Thanks you. I will need that luck soon :)

[@Vida24322]

I guess one day we will compete :)

[@julioorc4472]

Mew T I am 2 years on game design you?

[@Vida24322]

Julio Barragan 4 Years of programming, 2 years of design.

[@julioorc4472]

i wanna learn programming

[@williamwoods3044]

Julio Barragan rfytfustddyyrfyftyhfy TCT cuf8grrhlyivfxt jrghfifyyj ydyyfy8yycfy if tyne uyuhg5

[@brucejje]

What's with the camera-man's obsession with the brunette girl

[@BenRangel]

Game devs are suckers. They so easily accept mandatory crunch time, telling themselves that it's the price they have to pay for working in such a fun industry. Other software devs don't crunch. And I bet someone working on a AAA has way less creative control and fun assignments than someone who's for instance building a website with a small team. Yes, working hard to ship a great game is a great feeling. But the crunch isn't making the game great, it's just a result of an under estimated project life span that you have to work your ass off for a few weeks, instead of getting a few months extra do do it during regular hours.

[@luisfernandez1939]

This is extremely late but do you need to be good at art for you Game dev bachelors

[@tommy.b]

What is the pay of being a game developer like?

[@julyperez8343]

Let's try making a video game corel game developer

[@chris-dd6uq]

They should have people who have actually played football working on Madden. I can tell you it doesn't feel like football anymore. The blocking is horrific, defense sucks.

[@julyperez8343]

Overwatch game development game

[@MegaPhilX]

12:30 Wow... That producer sounds like such a nice guy! (I'm being sarcastic) (I agree with him about quiet confidence though)

[@choucharedouane733]

Ï agree with this realities but what all ï know is when ever you have a total éducation of programmation And when you all time to make one its been so easy When you have a goals in your mind you Will do that of course if you have the totally conditions Thank you 😎

[@achangedman2723]

I want to get into this but I have a family to take care of and I'm concerned about a stable income any advice?

[@gaming_loungebj4540]

Its good , I love to meet all creative individuals at all cost , when I am the smartest person in a group I should change at all cost .

[@EpicKalypze]

I can not work on sport games. Sport lovers will not stop talking to me.

[@xhawksparkz7213]

This may be a stupid question from someone who programs intermittently, but what is this 'crunch'ing?

[@Djeloan]

+SparkPixel From their answers i guess it's when you are programming or doing something else for long time (like 10-12hrs a day). Im not sure if this is 100% correct, but i guess it is. Anyone can explain if im wrong?

[@xhawksparkz7213]

n0thing722 Thanks. Couldn't find anything elsewhere.

[@Djeloan]

+SparkPixel Yeah no problem man, just hope that i have not missinformed you :)

[@t3hb1z0]

+n0thing722 Essentially, "the crunch" usually occurs in any industry when a deadline has to be met and the project has fallen behind schedule, an unexpected problem, or a new objective has come about, to where the team has to "crunch" the hours in order to make ends meet. It happens in literally any industry you can think of.

[@shizyninjarocks]

Insightful as hell.

[@PistolPete97]

Im interested in the field of game development but however i dont know anything about it at all or how computers work too lol. How should i start or should i say , where so i start ?

[@thinkify100]

depends on what platform you want to make games on. For mobile apps you need to know Java,pc: c++ or java,xbox:c#. That's for the programming/coding aspect of it. There's also game designers and artists. The explanation for artists is obvious and game designers come up with the ideas for the game concepts.

[@karlitoxxx74]

quiero trabajar para ustedes como ago¿... saludos desde argentina

[@73h73373r357]

why people are so afraid of agile sprints i'll never know

[@karlitoxxx74]

quiero trabajar para ustedes como ago¿... saludos desde argentina

[@normalguycap]

I've wondered if I should have gone here instead of MMI in WI.

[@kimeli]

are majority of programmers white?

[@nathmull1997]

Jake became a programmer after all Walden would be proud

[@timalovelyboy1814]

8 children. 36 toy sets of each type for those children. children are also my friends

[@momentswithmelody4874]

0-0

[@MrFer102938]

guys.. wake up.. this is just for getting more students..

[@Oogidahboogidah]

MrFer102938 your point being?

[@biglunk5064]

I plan on going to Full sail university in about 6 years or so. Is there a campus in Arizona? What is the price of tuition?

[@fullsailuniversity]

For Campus tuition please see spr.ly/6055BzsqV. For Online tuition please see spr.ly/6056Bzsqn.

[@fullsailuniversity]

Full Sail is only located in Winter Park, Florida, which is a suburb of Orlando.

[@Devy-kh8fy]

As a student who is hoping to be going to Full Sail soon, how can I decide what I want to focus in? Games is definitely my industry, however I'm stuck between designing and development/programming

[@SasukeUchiha723]

me too

[@Zorrio]

Try and choose what you like the most try with unity. its free, GTGD S3 tutorials are great too.

[@KatieLiz18]

I'm a current student at Full Sail University studying Game Design. Before coming here I was also torn between Development and Design. My advice is go for Game Development initially because in your second month of classes you will take a class called Technology in the Entertainment and Media Industries. That class really delves into the technology industry and helps you clarify what each degree program/position involves and really helped me realize that Design is where I want to go. My professor said a lot of students change their major after that class. I didn't have much knowledge of Game Design prior to the class and it really made me fall even more in love. I hope this has helped you a little bit! Full Sail is an amazing school that I hope everyone will get the chance to experience!

[@SasukeUchiha723]

Got admission in full sail Game Design Masters half a month ago. Its really good. but lets see if all my 12 months or remaining 11 months are good..

[@timalovelyboy1814]

names of the panel people?

[@itzdcx]

NERDS!!!

[@GakuseiChatto]

those are good tips

[@goldstrings6487]

Is ther a lot of math in programming at your school

[@gummipalle]

+Gold Strings The computer does the math... All you have to do is type in the problem correctly, and the machine solves it....

[@CashFuelzCFXstudio]

I want that hat!

[@GakuseiChatto]

you know

[@ZoaJaxx]

Is the online degree still as respected as going to the school?

[@diegorosadossantos8493]

+Rhythm Jaxx it seems to be a good question!

[@PedroPlanas777]

hi there man. You are needing game music for your projects? I compose. Please take a look to my channel.

[@sharoozasghar4956]

FOR ANYONE READING! DONT WASTE TIME AND MONEY ON SUCH UNIVERSITIES! THERES MORE THAN ENOUGH RECOURSES TO LEARN ONLINE!!!!

[@suplextrain]

Learning how to code and make basic games is not the same as getting real world knowledge from people that have worked in the industry. Simply knowing how to code or whatever doesn't make you a good game dev. You just need to do research and try and meet the teachers of the schools. Also going to a school means you can create a network of contacts (the other students) and learn how to work as a team. I personally haven't gone to Full Sail University, but I can tell you from the school I went to and from talking to other people it's very rewarding and massively helps your growth as a game dev. Just don't apply to a school, glide through on mediocre grades and then expect smooth sailing into the industry.

[@8baller10]

Coming from a socially awkward introvert the man in the black t shirts comment saddens me. So its basically impossible to get into the industry if your social skills aren't up to pare even if your work is good....

[@HeyItzScotch]

8baller10 You can but you'd just have to be wary of your social skills. You don't have to socialize with your team but you do have to be able to talk with them about problems your are having or other necessities that are required to working together

[@gvaidya1]

You could always improve your social skills. Most people are at least a little socially awkward so don’t feel too bad. Start with just smiling at random strangers as you walk past them, acknowledging their existence.

[@suplextrain]

You have to realize that game development is a team effort. You don't have to be a super social charmer, but you have to be nice, positive and easy to work with. To be able to communicate with others. Also you can always slowly get better at interacting with other people so long as you're determined and practice.

[@miguelconstantino-guzman7957]

Gaurav Vaidya I agree with Gaurav ;) seriously.

[@nirajgupta9982]

I really like the last guys initial statement. You don't necessarily have to get stuck programming for the first 10 years of your career so long as you can find where you are needed, your niche.

[@buttmuneebbutt2773]

Niraj G upta

[@MykeRaney]

I Wanna Go To This College 2018 !!

[@MykeRaney]

Lol Yup And Thats My Plan

[@y240k]

Class of 2018 too?

[@MrChris1020]

I am trying to create a game no coding just to get me familiar with the mechanics are there any software that is iPad friendly

[@Cheezer3089]

Swift

[@socialgamergang4474]

I downloaded blender moved a cube Deleted blender I installed unity What do do Uninstall

[@mikey2093]

I'm about to be in 9th grade and when I get into 11 an 12 grade I will finally be able to do Game development

[@BasedBoomer1337]

Why can't you do it now?

[@mikey2093]

DemoTheHusky Ive been busy with some family matters and lots of projects for classes but I have been studying how to use ruby and java

[@BasedBoomer1337]

Yeah but you are still talking two three years until you finally can do something. I made my first game in my senior year in high school and I waited to long to begin. I just released a game on newgrounds, and I'm in my junior year in college. Get into Source SDK and mess with game servers and modify things that is how I started. I am now four weeks into a new project using UDK and am loving the engine. UE4 is now free. So mess with things now. If you can't afford software, just pirate it who cares you're a kid. Just make games.

[@mikey2093]

DemoTheHusky that's actually what ive been doing to be honest ive been trying out Source SDK

[@laggindragon7166]

Jebus Ya im a Junior in high school now working in the way on robotics but after hearing about this place i may change my plan to game development.

[@smarthawk9373]

i wanna make video games but i dont want to work with boring nerds like those, i want to do it as a hobby while i pursue a career with sports

[@fluberchuberayy2479]

Smart Hawk Good luck man

[@Cinnamon1080]

Smart Hawk Better off focusing on just games. You'll at least have skills that can transfer. Focus on sports and you'll be useless.

[@peruanodecorazn5731]

@@Cinnamon1080 Shut the fuck up ya fat shit!

[@tOOballs]

who would win in a fight , artist or programmer?

[@FistofSpirit]

Probably programmer

[@flagkdsa180]

+Deus Vult artist of course!

[@Sushobhit333]

+Nick Smith me!

[@gtrrohit5078]

It would be a tie a game wouldnt be a game without the art or the programming