Basic Skills Requirements

Video Game Development requires some basic skills that students need in order to be successful in their education and subsequent employment in the industry. For all positions, strong verbal and written communication skills are preferred.

By areas of specialization:

Programming: For basic 2D game programming, minimum requirements are plane geometry, algebra and trigonometry; recommended courses are vector mathematics, (physics) kinematics and dynamics; advanced topics for more challenging positions are calculus and analytic geometry. For basic 3D game programming, minimum requirements are all of the above minimum plus linear algebra; recommended courses include calculus and analytic geometry. For engine (graphics) programming minimum requirements are all of the 3D game programming requirements plus numerical methods (Newton’s method, spline approximations, numerical integration techniques, etc). Additionally, C++ is the lingua franca in the industry (with the exception of cells, PDAs, set tops).

Art: Basic art talent, drawing and life drawing, pen & pencil, sculpture and architecture skills will provide the prerequisite foundation for the role of the artist. Exposure to animation and modeling will improve the learning experience. Use of Photoshop and 3D Studio Max (or Maya or LightWave) is required.

Design: Design requires the broadest background and deep intellectual curiosity. Experience with a broad range of genres and platforms are a must. Ability to analyze the good and the bad points of top games and a diverse exposure to multiple forms of creative media is needed. Critical thinking, strong communication and team building are essential. Knowledge of literature, history, film, sociology, psychology, anthropology is invaluable.

Production: Production is a superset of the other disciplines and requires ability to manage the big picture and the details. Project management, team motivation and a high level of maturity is required for success. An understanding of basic financial terms and concepts is helpful.