Bungie.net Community
This topic has moved here: Subject: Future Reference
  • Subject: Future Reference
Subject: Future Reference
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Hey all,

Okay, so for about 5 Years ive been playing the Halo saga, finding glitches, superjumps, making machinima, all sort's of things. Ive been thinking for about 3 of those years, about AI design. Really, school was always in the way, and doing summer track and field kept me from getting farther into this. Bungie has really made me brighten up about this, and ive come to a conclusion, that once im able to, im going to try (<<thats the keyword) to get a job working at, well, Bungie. Especially after listening to Damian Isla on the recent podcast, its really wanted me to get started, when the question had come up about what should people do if they wanted to start on AI, it didnt really answer the question that ive wanted answering to.

So, here's the question. Currently, im 14 years old (pretty young, but old enough to be thinking about the future) and a freshman in highschool. One class im taking that will most likely help me is Drawing 1, but, this definetly wont get me to where I want to be. So, since im wanting to get a career going in the AI part of Video Games, what should I be doing to help me with this? I used to use Photoshop CS2, was pretty good at it, considering my friends from XBL would help me a lot. I would really really love an answer, it means a lot to me.

(Sorry if this is in the wrong forums, I couldnt find any other where this would fit more into)

Also, Please do not Spam/Flame.
Helpful Criticism would be most appreciated also.


[Edited on 08.23.2007 4:20 PM PDT]

  • 08.23.2007 4:18 PM PDT

Sandswept Studios Design Director

Visit us and check out our games at Sandswept.net!

~~Pardon Our Dust.~~

Well, if you're thinking about AI at all, Photoshop and Art won't help you one bit. :P

You should look into Programming. Books, websites, etc. There's lots to find on such topics, but I'm not expert on that. ;)

  • 08.23.2007 4:40 PM PDT
  • gamertag: [none]
  • user homepage:

Most of the classes that you're really needing to take for anything video game related doesn't start until collage, but there are only a few classes in highschool that would help you.
Pretty much anything dealing with computer science in the highschool level. I know your school's classes aren't the same as the one I went to, but do look into the computer department.

[Edited on 08.23.2007 4:40 PM PDT]

  • 08.23.2007 4:40 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Thanks you guys for replying. Yeah, I was looking through my highschool course's list just a few minutes ago. I knew it was there, but I was only looking for something that had to do with graphical design on the computer. But Yeah, I guess what I could do is drop my Intervention and do Cpu Skills 1. I really want a headstart on this stuff.

  • 08.23.2007 4:43 PM PDT

"I pledge to punch all switches, to never shoot where I could use grenades, to admit the existence of no level except Total Carnage, to never use caps lock as my "run" key, and to never, ever, leave a single BoB alive."

2B || !2B - Why don't you look Inside the Machine?

If you really would like to program video games you need to figure out what steps you need to take to get there. Here is a generalization of what you should be taking/learning:

High School:

* Take as many math and computer classes as you can. The more the better. (1)
* Do lots of independent research on your own. Try to explore all types of programming before making a decision. (AI, GUI, General, Net, etc.)
* Once you have figured out what type of programming you want to do start learning how to program.
* Buy books and read online tutorials and the such. Gamedev.net is a good start.
* When you start to program you might want to start with Visual Basic and work your way up to C++.

(1) Networking Classes, Web Development, etc are good examples.

As you progress through High School you'll eventually have to start thinking about college and the degree you want. Depending on what you want to do and what the college you're planning on attending offers this is a general idea of what you'll have to do.

College:

* Sit down with advisors and talk with them about what you want to do and what degree you need to achieve your goal.
* Plan your life out ahead of time and fit your goals/courses into it.
* Take courses & Learn. Doing extremely well will get you noticed sense the Industry is so competitive.

You'll probably want to get an Associates Degree and then progress to a Computer Science Bachelors. Eventually you'll want to look at getting a Masters degree and maybe a Ph.D.

Tips:

* Start programming as soon as possible.
* Always challenge yourself to learn more and do better.
* Focus on things that the industry wants the most: Good Programming Habits, Knowledge of what they want and need, Clean & Efficient code.
* Start doing work to put on your resume to make yourself stand out. Any history of mod/bot work or programming demo's that show your abilities and strategies help a-lot.
* Always have fun.

If you're extremely serious you'll be in Book-A-Million every week buying a new book. I have a library of books from C++ to other languages that helped me get started, to Programming Logic and more. You should have a strong math or physics background and a good understanding of C++ and some professional experience. Anything to set yourself apart from the other guy that walks in.

You might want to take a look at what Bungie wants in a programmer: Here.

[Edited on 08.23.2007 6:11 PM PDT]

  • 08.23.2007 6:07 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Oh... My god... Thanks so much Zee! It really means so much to me! God you dont know how much this helps me out. im seriously copying this down and putting it in a saved file if you dont mind.

But there is one thing that I need you or anyone else to answer for me. Im going to copy down what the description of Computer Skills 1 says, just to see if I should or shouldnt do this:

Students enrolled in this class will use Windows 2000 while learning about computer fundamentals and managinthe Windows environmnet. Microsoft Office instruction is offered in the basics of Word, to create and edit documents; Excel, to build a worksheet by using formulas and functions; and Power Point, to design and edit graphic and text presentations.

So, should I do it?

  • 08.23.2007 6:23 PM PDT

Posted by: ReidonX
Oh... My god... Thanks so much Zee! It really means so much to me! God you dont know how much this helps me out. im seriously copying this down and putting it in a saved file if you dont mind.

But there is one thing that I need you or anyone else to answer for me. Im going to copy down what the description of Computer Skills 1 says, just to see if I should or shouldnt do this:

Students enrolled in this class will use Windows 2000 while learning about computer fundamentals and managinthe Windows environmnet. Microsoft Office instruction is offered in the basics of Word, to create and edit documents; Excel, to build a worksheet by using formulas and functions; and Power Point, to design and edit graphic and text presentations.

So, should I do it?

No, unless it's a prerequisite to a real programming class. Check to see if your school offers Visual Basic, C++, or Java. Most schools offer some kind of programming class, and those are the ones most frequently offered.

  • 08.23.2007 6:27 PM PDT
  • gamertag:
  • user homepage:
  • last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT

Okay, well, looking through the Course's listed here, There's nothing I can find like that. But there is something that I can do. You see, with our school, there is a place where Juniors and Seniors can go, to perfect what they want. Its called C-Tech. Last year we got a mini tour of it, not everything. I forgot if they had any type of programming, but im sure I can find out.

Thanks a lot to everyone who has posted.

For now im off to bed. Thanks a lot everyone.

[Edited on 08.23.2007 6:33 PM PDT]

  • 08.23.2007 6:32 PM PDT

Formerly known as BASs13 and One Point Three

If you don't mind "borrowing" there are tons of excellent books online, you just have to look in the right spot. I would start out with a basic C++ programming book, and then go onto game programming and then more advanced and specific stuff. You should also know C, some the visuals, and C#. Mostly different commands but mostly the same.

  • 08.23.2007 6:47 PM PDT

Old school Bungie, born and raised,
In the Septagon is where I spend most of my days.
Relaxin', maxin', posting all cool,
Talking about Halo, life and some school.
Got in one little argument, and the mods got scared,
they said "You're gonna get banned and your member title'll be bare!"

Talking to your guidence councilor is a big help.They'll often give you benefits not available to every student if they know you. I was able to put two programming classes in a row for each semester, which isn't normally done. This is a huge help and will allow you to stay ahead of your courses.

  • 08.23.2007 7:07 PM PDT

"I pledge to punch all switches, to never shoot where I could use grenades, to admit the existence of no level except Total Carnage, to never use caps lock as my "run" key, and to never, ever, leave a single BoB alive."

2B || !2B - Why don't you look Inside the Machine?

Yea, checking with guidance counselors can help. It just depends on how nice they are and if they take you seriously. I had the problem that mine tried suggesting "other" things to me rather than helping me focus on my goals. Learn from the beginning: VB, C, C++. When you get into C++ you'll want to definatley learn all of the STL and become very good friends with Mr. OOP (Object Oriented Programming). Take it one step at a time and in no time at all you'll be writing your own scripts to help you do stuff. Google and Book-A-Million should become your friends for the next, well, rest of your life.

You'll be fine, take big deep breaths.

Posted by: ReidonX
Oh... My god... Thanks so much Zee! It really means so much to me! God you dont know how much this helps me out. im seriously copying this down and putting it in a saved file if you dont mind.


No problem, I was once in your shoes.

But there is one thing that I need you or anyone else to answer for me. Im going to copy down what the description of Computer Skills 1 says, just to see if I should or shouldnt do this:

Students enrolled in this class will use Windows 2000 while learning about computer fundamentals and managinthe Windows environmnet. Microsoft Office instruction is offered in the basics of Word, to create and edit documents; Excel, to build a worksheet by using formulas and functions; and Power Point, to design and edit graphic and text presentations.

So, should I do it?


If you have a good understanding of how to use Word, Excel, Access, & Powerpoint then I wouldn't recommend it. However if it is required to take higher courses then you should take it. Once again talk to your counselors and take big deep breaths. Keep on top of things and read the news. Find blogs and try to find people who do program for a living or work in computers and ask them all the questions you can think of. You can do it :)

[Edited on 08.23.2007 7:28 PM PDT]

  • 08.23.2007 7:25 PM PDT