- #1
Uranian
- 5
- 0
Hi all,
I'm at a bit of a crossroads - I'm in a direct PhD program (in Astrophysics) right now, with the option of walking away with my Master's in September. In all of my research projects I've focused heavily on simulations (I know Python and Fortran, but not anything from the C family, though looking to take a C++ course next semester, and they have been fluids codes mainly) and I found that I love coding - so much that it even overshadows my love of learning about topics in astronomy and astrophysics! It's a bit alarming, and so I'm looking for a bit of insight - I was thinking of maybe graduating with my Master's and going into the industry, and in particular I would love to start programming for video games.
I realize this profession is nothing like how it is to actually play video games - I expect mounds of complex code and lots of debugging, and days that are boring and frustrating as a result of this, and general stressfulness due to deadlines. I realize it's not all roses on the other side! But, I think it would be fun, also partially because I'm artistic and damnit, I want to be part of a team of people that brings these fantastic, beautifully-rendered games to fruition. Ubisoft is literally a couple blocks from where I live!
I guess part of what I was wondering is, how feasible is this? Clearly I need to learn C++, and I might even need to have a portfolio of little games I've coded up - I'm up for that! (Although, should I use a game engine (I have Unity and it's very fun to play around with, also it's teaching me a bit of C#!), or should I make a simpler game but from scratch? I don't know what would look better)
I should note that I'm looking more at a generalist programmer career path - I have physics knowledge, of course, but I'm not hellbent of finding a role that specifically puts this to use.
Is there anything i should be doing right now while I work on finishing my degree, aside from learning C++? Or, is this a pipe dream that has little chance of happening for me without an extra year or more of dedicated computer science study? Any insight is much appreciated - I don't know many people I can talk to about this. Thanks in advance!
I'm at a bit of a crossroads - I'm in a direct PhD program (in Astrophysics) right now, with the option of walking away with my Master's in September. In all of my research projects I've focused heavily on simulations (I know Python and Fortran, but not anything from the C family, though looking to take a C++ course next semester, and they have been fluids codes mainly) and I found that I love coding - so much that it even overshadows my love of learning about topics in astronomy and astrophysics! It's a bit alarming, and so I'm looking for a bit of insight - I was thinking of maybe graduating with my Master's and going into the industry, and in particular I would love to start programming for video games.
I realize this profession is nothing like how it is to actually play video games - I expect mounds of complex code and lots of debugging, and days that are boring and frustrating as a result of this, and general stressfulness due to deadlines. I realize it's not all roses on the other side! But, I think it would be fun, also partially because I'm artistic and damnit, I want to be part of a team of people that brings these fantastic, beautifully-rendered games to fruition. Ubisoft is literally a couple blocks from where I live!
I guess part of what I was wondering is, how feasible is this? Clearly I need to learn C++, and I might even need to have a portfolio of little games I've coded up - I'm up for that! (Although, should I use a game engine (I have Unity and it's very fun to play around with, also it's teaching me a bit of C#!), or should I make a simpler game but from scratch? I don't know what would look better)
I should note that I'm looking more at a generalist programmer career path - I have physics knowledge, of course, but I'm not hellbent of finding a role that specifically puts this to use.
Is there anything i should be doing right now while I work on finishing my degree, aside from learning C++? Or, is this a pipe dream that has little chance of happening for me without an extra year or more of dedicated computer science study? Any insight is much appreciated - I don't know many people I can talk to about this. Thanks in advance!