Checklists!
Stay ahead... last longer than your opponent in the ring!
1. Games Programming (Tips courtesy of Ian Newborn)
- Maths: a good grounding is very valuable though your main use will be geometry, 3D space and all that. Brush up on matrix maths and vectors.
- Adaptability: so you know every line of the Linux kernel by heart? No good! You will be told which systems you will be using and you will have to learn to like it. Be prepared to learn everything again!
- Programming languages: learn C and C++. Though the odds are you won't be using either how it "should" be- it will be mixed and matched and first you must unlearn all you have taught yourself.
- Communication: if you don't know what the other programmers are doing you can trip over them all the time. Also leaving comments in the code is an absolute 'must', so learn enough English to make it legible.
- Passion: You must love games. If after spending 12-14 hours arguing with a game that looks like it should work but for no apparent reason doesn't, you can't go home and play more games when you get there, then don't even bother to apply!
More Specific profession-related 'How Tos' (listing up to 5 ways to stay ahead) are coming soon!
- ARE you staying ahead? If you're not, someone else, a competitor, will be!