If someone comes in with solid C++ abilities and not too much else, it's assumed they'll pick up other things as needed. Whether that's justified or not, that is an intrinsic widespread attitude in the industry. It's never assumed that a junior hire will just pick up C++, so the company basically plans to have to train you for a while before you're capable. And if I'm choosing between the candidate I have to train or the candidate who is ready to go out of the gate, well... it can be overcome, but it's easier just to have that knowledge up front.

This comment is ONLY applicable to the game industry. There are many types of software development that don't have this expectation.

I'd disagree to some extent. If you have a strong expertise in a particular field that a games studio requires, i.e. maths/physics and you have coding experience but not C++ then I think said studio will assume you can pick up C++ on the job. I know a lot of seniors I've worked with in the past started out like this.

If someone comes in with solid C++ abilities and not too much else, it's assumed they'll pick up other things as needed. Whether that's justified or not, that is an intrinsic widespread attitude in the industry. It's never assumed that a junior hire will just pick up C++, so the company basically plans to have to train you for a while before you're capable. And if I'm choosing between the candidate I have to train or the candidate who is ready to go out of the gate, well... it can be overcome, but it's easier just to have that knowledge up front.

This comment is ONLY applicable to the game industry. There are many types of software development that don't have this expectation.

I'd disagree to some extent. If you have a strong expertise in a particular field that a games studio requires, i.e. maths/physics and you have coding experience but not C++ then I think said studio will assume you can pick up C++ on the job. I know a lot of seniors I've worked with in the past started out like this.

If you're hiring someone to work on the engine, or even gameplay if that's all c++, I just dont see that happening. I've certainly never worked someplace where we would even consider hiring someone to work on c++ code who didnt already know c++. I mean, getting someone to be fairly c++ proficient takes time, and why hire someone who has to sit there learning c++ for a long time before they can do anything? And if by "pick up C++ on the job" means you want that person to be productive as they learn, then that also means having one of your senior engineers taking time to teach and mentor them, and they STILL wont be productive for a while... and certainly not deep in the engine where things will be complex and easy to mess up by someone who's just learning c++.

If someone comes in with solid C++ abilities and not too much else, it's assumed they'll pick up other things as needed. Whether that's justified or not, that is an intrinsic widespread attitude in the industry. It's never assumed that a junior hire will just pick up C++, so the company basically plans to have to train you for a while before you're capable. And if I'm choosing between the candidate I have to train or the candidate who is ready to go out of the gate, well... it can be overcome, but it's easier just to have that knowledge up front.

This comment is ONLY applicable to the game industry. There are many types of software development that don't have this expectation.

I'd disagree to some extent. If you have a strong expertise in a particular field that a games studio requires, i.e. maths/physics and you have coding experience but not C++ then I think said studio will assume you can pick up C++ on the job. I know a lot of seniors I've worked with in the past started out like this.

If you're hiring someone to work on the engine, or even gameplay if that's all c++, I just dont see that happening. I've certainly never worked someplace where we would even consider hiring someone to work on c++ code who didnt already know c++. I mean, getting someone to be fairly c++ proficient takes time, and why hire someone who has to sit there learning c++ for a long time before they can do anything? And if by "pick up C++ on the job" means you want that person to be productive as they learn, then that also means having one of your senior engineers taking time to teach and mentor them, and they STILL wont be productive for a while... and certainly not deep in the engine where things will be complex and easy to mess up by someone who's just learning c++.

It wouldn't be devastating for a AAA company to invest a month in allowing a developer to learn C++ - the pay would probably reflect it. The lead physics programmer I work with was hired with zero C++ experience (early 2000s). I'm not going to say this is the case now but it's certainly happened in the past.

maths/physics

This is certainly the skill that I really am bad at.

Bringing out a point that has been touched on by a few people, "the industry" is a big place and there are many needs.

While many game studios expect programmers have a working knowledge of C++, and jobs where programmers need an expert knowledge of C++, there are jobs and positions where it less necessary or even unnecessary. Some studios rely heavily on Java, or C#, or JavaScript, or other languages.

I recommend programmers attempt to learn at least one programming language every year. The languages C++, Java, C#, JavaScript, and Python are currently the standard set of languages for professional work. Fortunately once you are comfortable with programming, picking up another language in the set is not particularly difficult.

If you know how to program in a game-related language you can still apply to jobs in your area. Learn about what they need, and if you've got those skills you might get the job. But recall that you don't exist in a vacuum, and if they look better on paper or show better in the interview they will be selected instead of you. But if you're one of a small number of applicants you may get the job.

While there are many people who work in the depths of game engines and C++ code, there are also programmers who never touch C++ code year after year. Don't give up hope, just be mindful of the jobs you apply for.