As a self taught programmer I'm finding it difficult to enter into the game industry as a game programmer. Ultimately I want to be a game engine programmer and I have a couple scrap projects for which I play around with certain game/game engine concepts. These projects are just 2d games for which I have some simple animations and other things working. The problem is these are unfinished projects and I figure it might be good to show I can complete a project as well.
So for an aspiring game engine programmer, what sort of self contained or smaller projects could one feasibly complete in a reasonable amount of time (6mo - 1yr) and still impress a would be employer in this area? Are there things you have completed in the past that help get you a job or really impressed your peers?
So for an aspiring game engine programmer, what sort of self contained or smaller projects could one feasibly complete in a reasonable amount of time (6mo - 1yr) and still impress a would be employer in this area? Are there things you have completed in the past that help get you a job or really impressed your peers?
Edited by Jason
on
Reason: Initial post
What exactly do you mean by game engine developer? Graphics, audio, AI, physics or editors/tools?
A company most likely needs at least one specialist(!) for each of these fields, instead of one person being able to do everything a bit. So if you want to do graphics mainly, then show that you can work in at least one of these well: OpenGL, DirectX, Vulkan, Metal.
Instead of trying to make something new, it might be more reasonable to finish your existing projects. Or at least redo them in a way that you can present them. However keep in mind what you want your main focus to be. If you do graphics you won't need to make a whole game necessary. Instead rendering a complex scene with dynamic lighting etc. and high fps should be fine too. Bonus points if the demo software is cross platform and can be run on a device with limited capabilities (smartphone, older console).
A company most likely needs at least one specialist(!) for each of these fields, instead of one person being able to do everything a bit. So if you want to do graphics mainly, then show that you can work in at least one of these well: OpenGL, DirectX, Vulkan, Metal.
Instead of trying to make something new, it might be more reasonable to finish your existing projects. Or at least redo them in a way that you can present them. However keep in mind what you want your main focus to be. If you do graphics you won't need to make a whole game necessary. Instead rendering a complex scene with dynamic lighting etc. and high fps should be fine too. Bonus points if the demo software is cross platform and can be run on a device with limited capabilities (smartphone, older console).
I don't know if it's the kind of project you're looking for, but take a look at this suggestion to write an ARM disassembler from mmozeiko.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Ya, this has been my biggest problem. I can't really identify any one field specifically yet. I enjoy the entire process of making a game and the ability to control everything my game is built on is very appealing to me. I guess I'll really have to try and either narrow my scope down a bit or see about starting my own thing or working for a smaller startup that may need a more generalist programmer.
LaresYamoir
What exactly do you mean by game engine developer? Graphics, audio, AI, physics or editors/tools?
A company most likely needs at least one specialist(!) for each of these fields, instead of one person being able to do everything a bit.
Ya, this has been my biggest problem. I can't really identify any one field specifically yet. I enjoy the entire process of making a game and the ability to control everything my game is built on is very appealing to me. I guess I'll really have to try and either narrow my scope down a bit or see about starting my own thing or working for a smaller startup that may need a more generalist programmer.