DO I!?
Speaking from absolutely no experience 
though i did look into it… it is a very competitive industry and very difficult to get into – most developers tend to want 10 or more years experience – on successful games (but how do you get that experience? – catch 22).
I have got a degree in computer science myself – I'm still in the middle of determining if it was really worth while – I'm sure it does look good on a CV but as far as any software engineering goes, the more practical experience you have – the better you look. I think there are some software houses that occasionally offer video game apprenticeships that allow you to figure out what area you are good at (design/programming etc.) but if i was to put my money on the best way id start modding games that are already out there – it seems like a good way to build up a portfolio, this is proof you can create/work-on games/software related to the job title you apply for – a degree is only really proof that you can work.
hope that helps.
EDIT:
Just a quick note on my compsci degree – it had absolutely nothing to do with video games, it was a very general overview really – some useful programming concepts but on the whole not relevant to video games. Funnily enough i chose the course because i liked video games but Ive since realized that messing with computers is more of a hobby than anything i want to do for a living.
If you are dead set on getting into video game industry though i would advise you choose any courses more specific to the industry – there are universities that provide "video game design" degrees.
January 4th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Speaking from absolutely no experience
though i did look into it… it is a very competitive industry and very difficult to get into – most developers tend to want 10 or more years experience – on successful games (but how do you get that experience? – catch 22).
I have got a degree in computer science myself – I'm still in the middle of determining if it was really worth while – I'm sure it does look good on a CV but as far as any software engineering goes, the more practical experience you have – the better you look. I think there are some software houses that occasionally offer video game apprenticeships that allow you to figure out what area you are good at (design/programming etc.) but if i was to put my money on the best way id start modding games that are already out there – it seems like a good way to build up a portfolio, this is proof you can create/work-on games/software related to the job title you apply for – a degree is only really proof that you can work.
hope that helps.
EDIT:
Just a quick note on my compsci degree – it had absolutely nothing to do with video games, it was a very general overview really – some useful programming concepts but on the whole not relevant to video games. Funnily enough i chose the course because i liked video games but Ive since realized that messing with computers is more of a hobby than anything i want to do for a living.
If you are dead set on getting into video game industry though i would advise you choose any courses more specific to the industry – there are universities that provide "video game design" degrees.
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