I want to make video games

I'm a 20 year old NEET who's pretty much lost right now. Every time I think about what I want to do with my life it keeps coming back to video games. I hear about how much of a shit-show it can be but I keep coming back. Do you guys have any idea how to pursue this? Schools, jobs, ect?
>inb4 not vidya

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It's incredibly complex, even with all these "ez mode" game makers you still have a pretty hefty project ahead of you. That's also assuming you're willing to spend the hours studying and teaching yourself, but you said you're a neet so I don't see it happening.

Indie dev here,
Stop thinking and start doing, get off Sup Forums and make something, finish it even if its trash, then get other people to join you and pay them for their time, not friends only work with people you don't know. Don't be an 'idea guy'.

Well, what schools would be best to go to? Degrees and such.

Learn to use one of the game making engines like Unity or GameMaker.

Take a crash course tutorial on C++/# or Java/JavaScript to understand the basics of how computer code is written

Go for it OP

I'm working on an indie game and it's awesome to learn and develop vidya

This is the game I'm working on, it's still in alpha

youtu.be/DtmFTE-CSQ4

Jesus fuck that's impressive. Part of me would really like trying my hand at writing scripts/dialogue/descriptions. Some of my favorite games are the original Fallouts and I love writing about stuff in great detail.

Do you want to make a game?
Download and engine and start making.

Do you want to work on a game or in the industry?
Download a tool and start learning it.

The only other thing is if you want to make a game then I hope you have an idea for one. Mechanics and all.

How did you get started in that? Did you go to any schools? How old were you when you started?

>Stop thinking and start doing,

Everyone knows this saying, everyone underestimates how powerful it is. Thinking and theorizing are only part of making something happen. It's like an on and off switch: you're either doing or you're not. DO SOMETHING. MAKE SOMETHING.

As this user said: even if it's complete trash, it's your first 'something'. Make/do a second thing. Before you know it, you're improving and have experience. You have you're own little portfolio, and at least you're actively trying shit in real-time.

Don't be one of those people who chuck out idea after idea, but never do anything. Or those people who start something, but never finish it.

And this. C++ was what I started on. Just be disciplined.

Kudos.

Did you learn C++ all on your own? Are there programs/classes that I can take? I'm not very good at self-teaching...

>neet
>doesn't know programming
(I guess doesn't know the art stuff too?)
>not very good at self-teaching

maybe this isn't a very good idea right now user.

just go to vg/agdg/ friendo

I'm wanting to make a 2.5D RPG, I'm a writer and artist who can do all the art and writing duties and in fact have everything pretty well planned out. I know some Java and have experience programming Android apps, and I even have access to high quality sound equipment and a recording studio. Assuming I were to use Unity and figure shit out, and one man army'd it, about how much time and money would it reasonably take to make a roughly ~20 hour RPG with combat akin to XCOM? I'd ideally like to hire some people to actually start a tiny indie studio but I've got absolutely no money.

I've thought about doing a vertical slice demo and doing a kickstarter with the demo freely available, but I want to have it ready before even starting a kickstarter since I think it's not a good idea to just ask for money based on a vague promise without actually showing I can deliver.

I'm re-thinking my comment.
I'm sorry, I think I expressed a bad idea.
Maybe instead of "This isn't a good idea for you right now" it would make more sense "maybe this is the right time to go out of your comfort area in many aspects, user".

Anyway, you problably will have to deal with some degree of self-teaching.

I'm not an artist by any means. My strong suit has always been writing. I mean, how do you go about learning C++? And I don't really want to wait any longer, I'm already 20 years old and I feel like I'm 50. It's like I'm having a mid-life crisis and I don't know what I want to do.

Get a computer programming degree from your friendly neighborhood community college. Learn whatever programming languages they teach, but prioritize learning C++ inside and out.

I'll have to look into that. Might try HACC. I fucking hated High-School but I watched a presentation by Tim Cain about the process he had to go through to make Fallout 1 and it really inspired me to get off my ass and do something.

I don't know any particular good book in C++, but the process will be similar to it:
1) search on google what are the best books to learn X leanguage from the begining.
2) choose on of those books.
3) go to libgen.io/ and download it.
4) start reading it and doing stuff.

There's a good chance that the book will explain to you what you have to install, maybe give a recomendation of IDE, if not, you will have to search it on google too.

But this is with learning a leanguage like C++, there should be many books about it.

Sometimes, you will problably be forced to use a framework or API or some other stuff with your coding, and maybe there won't be any good famous book about. You will have to search about other people problems and experiences on google, on poorly made articles and documentation, and pure trial-and-error.

Fucking indie meme. Spent years learning to make games, and now I get lumped in with all the faggots who feel "inspired" by the fad of the decade, as if making games was impossible before that.

OP, if you're even considering picking up Unity or GameMaker, you disgust me. If you're going to do this, and you're sure it's not because everyone else is doing it, at least do it properly.

Also thank you guys for being so supportive. Being a NEET with no experience I was expecting at least some shitposting.

>these posts 1 second apart

pottery

OP is the worst kind of loser trash. The type that thinks he's somehow special or different and he's only a NEET because (excuse) and tomorrow he really is going to make that game/write that book/write that screenplay/make that music. Tomorrow never comes for the trash NEET but he'll keep telling everyone that it's definitely going to be tomorrow and he's going to make it

Seen it happen with a lot of young dudes. It's better to just admit you're a lazy NEET and revel in the lifestyle than blow this bullshit out your ass to anyone who will listen

I'm like OP, but I'm fighting procrastination and the frustration of not being able to understand concepts when I try to learn about them.

Anyways, a good advice, even before programming is, have a notepad or a phone app where you can take notes about anything that crosses your mind and potentially could make a good game. It doesn't matter if it's an idea about the interface, the mechanics, the art... As long as you take notes it's fine. Later you can improve the concept with more ideas or start a new one.

Eventually you'll have a somewhat solid concept for a game, its mechanics, graphics, interface. And once you start programming you'll be grateful for having good ideas to work on.

I'd rather be a trash NEET than an user who calls out the trash NEET for being a trash NEET all the while being a trash NEET.

I started testing games when I was 18, worked my way up from there until I became a QA Lead, then QA Manager, then Producer, Project Manager and finally Program Manager by 25. I had to basically sleep under my desk at every studio I worked at, would be the same with or without a degree (I don't have a degree). Taught myself programming and level design along the way as well, been a part of many successful games.

I'm 29 now and I'm done. The industry blows. You could follow the path that I did but to be honest I want my youth back. I highly recommend getting into something that serves a higher purpose than entertainment products, especially because after a few years of making games you tend not to enjoy playing them anymore.

Look up a game with a similar scope
Then look up the credits and budget

I've got a shitty low paying job and I know my place in society is my own fault and have no intention of lying to myself. Have fun telling people how you're really going to start making that million dollar game in GameMaker next week (probably) for the rest of your life LOL

I don't think I would be able to enjoy a game that I tested for many hours either, but that shouldn't be a problem for enjoying games made by others. Perhaps you are stressed for the lack of breaks.

It's tricky. I worked on all the BioShock games so any game similar to it just fails to interest me, too easy to feel when an enemy just spawned or a dialogue setup is about to happen, etc. I'm definitely jaded and stressed, but I quit my last job back in August so have had time to decompress. I still don't think the industry is worth it, but that's just me.

I'm enjoying the hell out of Zelda right now at least.

Well if you'd ever be looking for someone to hire I'd try my hand at it. I'm a good writer who's willing to learn coding and programming.

Ok, then your problem is you got saturated with a particular game genre.

Btw, try to ignore the technical aspect and enjoy the show, like watching a magic show.

OP here, I kinda fear that same thing happening to me. I've heard horror stories about people in playtesting who lost any and all enjoyment in videogames. I've heard playtesting is a good way to get a start in the industry, but I know it can be soul-crushing.

Not OP, but how on earth is someone who is not established expected to pay people for their time?
>inb4 crowd funding

Thing is, a lot of work in general is soul-crushing. If you truly love games, to the point where you think you'd be fine working thousands of hours testing a broken game (there will be many days where you have a build that doesn't even boot so you have to essentially grind for shit bugs on an older build), then you can do a lot worse.

Try out some playtesting for existing games in beta without getting paid for it. Hone your bug writing skills as it is the most critical aspect of the job. If you are going to be writing gameplay bugs for programmers/designers, learn to phrase your bug summaries in if/then style statements. Essentially know that if you want to get into testing, analytical and communication skills are tantamount to any ability to play games well.

SF Bay Area is always hiring as well, I'd check out Hangar 13 and Toys for Bob. TfB has a wonderful QA Manager who is willing to train people. Just expect to be cut loose for 2 months every year because contracts.

Here is your life story past present and future.
>be you 20 year old neet
>never amounted to anything
>complete utter loser and failure
>plays video games all day
>too fucking stupid to get a real job so deludes himself his life passion is to make video games despite not knowing a dam thing about it
>he then tries to make video games
>coding is too hard
>3d modeling is too hard
>becomes "idea guy"
>look for other people to do his work
>no one is stupid enough to follow this talent-less sack of shit
>go on twitter and complain
t. CS major. I fucking hate you stupid fucks with no talent complain that programming is too hard. Every single one of you fuckers "following your passion" quit in the first 6 months. And those that stay just cheat their way through the course.

I live in Pennsylvania and I really have no idea of places to go. I've researched different schools but every place seems to have mixed reviews.

You don't like being ignored do you? I'll give you a pity (you)

There are a handful of studios near Boston, but most have downsized recently. NY/NE area isn't the greatest for game devs but give this site a whirl: gamedevmap.com/

SF is too expensive to move to for a tester job, but I'd consider it down the line. I spent 3 years in New Orleans/Baton Rouge and that place is going to take off when it comes to video games very soon. HUGE tax benefits even for indie devs. If you want a tester job immediately go to EABR.

Otherwise Austin is a good bet, same with Denver. St. Paul and Minneapolis are getting new studios and Florida has some if you don't mind sports games.

(you)

Jesus christ what i am doing with my life. I am almsot done with a degree that i dont even like.

I want to make vydyas (or games in general)

You sound flustered user. Just fail your midterm this week? Have a (you)

What's a good avenue for people who want to write for games? I want to do Planescape: Torment levels of flavor.

english degree meme