Slaughtz

Warning: Personal Advice question someone probably already asked or you already addressed.

My friend is volunteering to be a producer for an indie game studio. I'm wanting (hoping I'll be needed, basically) to get hired on as an assistant producer for acquiring experience. I am interested mostly in the design, production and directing "game feel" (UI Feedback such as screen shake) and slightly experienced in marketing.

What would be the best way to work my way up to becoming a video game designer or producer like yourself or getting involved in one of the aforementioned roles? I know the ABC's of coding but I haven't mastered any specific language.

The biggest hurtle I see for myself is either my own skills and time (making the game myself) or the investment capital to get a game off the ground. The dream of making my own game aside, I'd like to help with the production of another's game and learn all of that - is there a shortcut besides just working up from being a programmer or should I start there like everyone else has?

A dramatization: I can picture everyone taking solace in knowing the guy next to you is going through the same shit you are and everyone is huddled as if they're in a warzone and they're brother-in-arms against the clock.

Thanks for the honesty. That just ignites a fire in me, perhaps naively, to rise up to the challenge... :)

I had just read your post on being QA and it seems that would be the best route for myself if I'm not going to go the programming route, no? Is there a distinction between tester and QA?

I definitely foresee failure if I went at production and design alone, which is why I'd rather just focus on marketing (in the tech. industry) if it's a choice between that and solo production.

I didn't know being a QA tester actually (potentially) opened up so many opportunities. However, I also heard nightmare stories about long hours, sometimes unpaid, and being abruptly let go after the game is published. That dissuaded me from pursuing it further.

If the nightmare stories are true, it seems the only respectable way to work up to the design and production level is through becoming a programmer. Do you know of anyone who has worked up from QA to the design or production level?

I'll pass your message along to my friend, along with this whole AMA. Thanks for the info.

Yeah, I agree. That's why I'm open to both being a designer and a producer. Designing may be more my gig than producing. Thanks for feedback.