I'm a mess in a dress 8D

You need to be really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really, really good at math.

Most game developers would use C# to develop the games C++ is more engine based code than anything else and it is shit hard to do...I would recommend buying this book...Visual C# by John Sharp it's like having someone else's brain in a book...then I would pick up XNA Creators guide. As for skill-set...all that you explained and you would need to be a good problem solver (code errors and warnings) and you have to be a dab hand in creating algorythms.

You can download XNA and the C# express edition for all of your developing needs...and if you're intent on studying games programming I would suggest applying for Abertay in Scotland....that's where I'm heading xD

I see you're still living the illusion that when you work for a game company you actually get to interact with all levels of the game's design. So you expect to write the story AND program the game AND model the characters?

Take this advice: Pick one specialty and stick with that. Be it 3D modeling, writing stories, programming or whatever it is a game company would hire you for. Once you have built up a big enough portfolio of art/projects you could attempt getting a job at one of those companies.

If you are going to try and become a Jack of all trades there's not a self respecting game company out there who would want to hire you. They want someone who is good at what they do, not so so at everything that needs to be done.

Here is what I would do if a job at a game company is your ultimate goal. You're pretty good when it comes to art so make that your specialty. If you want you can go to college and focus on art there as well, though you might want to get a degree in something more general as a backup. Go to college like you normally would and study art in your spare time, improving on yourself and posting your stuff in online art websites like DeviantART.
But most important, if you really want to get into game making, go take a look at the modding community. It's voluntary work, it doesn't pay shit but the experience you get in return is priceless. You learn what it's like to work in a team, you learn to take feedback and criticism and eventually you'll see your concept art come to life. And in between all that hard work you might make a friend or two who can teach you some of the other parts of game making you can study on the side.

By working on mods you can start a portfolio. The modding community is big and prices are often rewarded to the best mods out there. If you manage to get on board with a mod that wins the Mod of the Year award, you're bound to get at least noticed by the professionals.

Have a look at www.moddb.com and get involved with the community. Like with so many other things you won't learn game making from a book or in college. It's down right experience that counts so just get a job and start doing those mod projects on the side.

Well, I certainly wasn't intending to learn ALL of it, although I wanted to get myself familiar with as many elements as possible. Thank you so much for the information guys.

As far as modding goes, I could give it a shot, but I can bet I haven't even played most of those game systems let alone worked on a mod. I have probably played a Wii ..once. lol. I can't afford new game systems but I will definitely take a look at them.

As far as getting a more 'general' degree that may be hard. I only have passion for art, so anything else would probably drive me insane. I'll keep looking, for sure. Maybe there's something I can take an interest in. I certainly intended to focus more on the artistic part of game design - especially conceptual art and character design.

I laughed, how about you guys?

I laughed. Also; programming is very important for anything you're going to do unless you're strictly creative. I don't know C++ myself but i hear it's not all that bad if you know how to program a bit

I would love to be a game designer. I also love maths. I love writing stories. I find 3D modelling incredibly daunting.

Hope it all goes well.

I laughed too, but I also laugh at myself so yeah. The only thing I find really daunting about being a game designer is just the math. Writing stories and drawing and whatnot is all gravy to me. I want to study game programming because I'm honestly curious about how it works and wouldn't mind creating like, really small ones/levels in my spare time - or say, the mods such as Havoc linked me to. I wouldn't mind knowing a bit - just so I can really understand it.

i cried and held a gun to my head.

I laughed too.

Make your own game. That's a good way to get attention from potential employers.

Not if it's of the same quality as the stuff we see around this place.

Getting employed by a game company has nothing to do with being good at making games. It's being good at one part of it that counts, whether that's art, programming or whatever else.

If you want to be working as a financial consultant with Shell they aren't going to ask you if you know your way around an oil rig.

but but but they told me i needed to be good around shit?

that was the only qualification needed.

Hey, aren't you Lacy Hemsmire? I remember you.

To be fair Havoc, what the fuck do you know? As far as I can tell you don't do anything productive with your life...

And what exactly do you know? I don't know anything more about your life then you know about mine. I suggest we simply keep it that way.

And you'll need to be good at at least one of those to make a good game.

You have a talent for repeating the exact thing I just said while using completely different words.

and less of them.

BOOM

If that's the case, then you're contradicting yourself.