Hello.

[matt.nowaczewski]

Well, my name is Matt. I am currently a college student, all self tought to date. I know the following: HTML/CSS/PHP/MySQL (Learning JavaScript/ASP)

I am also learning C++ right now. My current book title: Beginning C++ Game Programming by Michael Dawson.

I am currently attending a community college for general education classes. I will be taking some computer science classes while I attend. I will be transferring into SIU or ERAU majoring in an aviation field with a double major in Computer Science/Business. (I have not yet made a final decision. But they tell us pilots to major in something not related to aviation for a back up career.) But I do know my main career goal is to be a pilot. I would like to start up a part-time career in the game industry by creating my own Indie Studio. I believe it's still possible to run a game company part-time. (I would just need to co-found I suppose so that there is someone there to look after the business when im not around.) I hope to do C++ code, maybe some basic modeling. I have not tried it out yet. But for now i'll stick to code. I hope to do networking/code aspects and business aspects of the indie game studio.

Again I probably won't be able to start getting serious with the indie studio in-till my senior year in college.(I'm a freshman now) But I do hope to work for one between now and then, or even get mine going now. But just use the products as small sellers or skill builders. I also know that part of the success is to find great people to work with.

I am 17 years old, I enjoy pc games obviously, I like paintball/airsoft, snow boarding, running, im also in Air Force ROTC.

And that pretty much raps up my bio. If anyone else has similiar goals, pm me. Maybe we can combine our efforts into something successful.

And curse the bloody spammers who brought upon us a 48 hour hold. :mad:

That’s my bio in a nut shell.

Look forward to good "business".

Cheers

//Signed//
Matt Nowaczewski
Email: matt.nowaczewski@sbcglobal.net

[Omega]

Welcome! I haven't heard one thing about games or consumer software in your post though, and making something that people like is often trial and error, and being a General or Computer Science Phd. would not necessarily mean anything. The best things to do would be to take some art classes and some marketing classes. Whatever you create, even if it is a puzzle game, should be something you have a passion for. That is because this is a serious profession, and making games or consumer software successfully requires the passion, the marketing, and the polish.

Many people here are 40 year olds making games for other 40 year olds. Puzzle games are usually the most accessible, replayable, faster to download, and cheapest to develop compared to retail games. That is why they are chosen, as well as that the developer has a passion for such games.

You will need A LOT of experience with compilers, since they all have their own quirks you have to learn over the years. My advice would be to start on your game. Somebody could direct you to the cross-platform library for games (PTK?) Since you are young, you could probably have the patience to learn the new library and become an expert in it.

The problem is if you become too addicted you might not do well in college, and since you a need a degree and good grades to fly, you may not become an Officer in any capacity... so be careful what you wish for! :D

So, since you are 17, and you say "Again I probably won't be able to start getting serious with the indie studio in-till my senior year in college", I wanted you to understand what serious really means. :)

[ggambett]

Many people here are 40 year olds making games for other 40 year olds.According to the last "census", most of us are around 24 ;)

[Omega]

I was thinking most who count on these forums. :D Well, plus me, since I am under 40. :) But seriously, just because a lot of < 18 kids post here, doesn't mean that most big developers who are "serious" are that age. I would say 30+. So, if you want to get 'serious' by the time you are in college I would say that would only be the starting point. Right?

[Abscissa]

I was thinking most who count on these forums. :D Well, plus me, since I am under 40. :) But seriously, just because a lot of < 18 kids post here, doesn't mean that most big developers who are "serious" are that age. I would say 30+. So, if you want to get 'serious' by the time you are in college I would say that would only be the starting point. Right?
Those are all just generalizations.

[Omega]

Yes, those are all just responses to Gambett. The actual responses to Matt (the original poster) are from experience.