Huwtrosky

Wouldn't constantly drawing the whole map be a massive drain on the machine running it?

It depends on how costly it is to draw the map. Obviously it isn't optimal, but it would achieve what he originally wanted, while requiring barely any modifications to his code.

Good point

Thanks guys. I wasn't going to use tiles, but I suppose if I sliced the terrain up into tiles it still work.

Yep, your tiles don't have to be 1x1 though, in fact they could be the size of the entire map, so you are constantly drawing the whole map four times..

Wouldn't constantly drawing the whole map be a massive drain on the machine running it?

4. I meant I have emailed both Bungie and Lionhead. I'm not expecting a response back any time soon but I was asking which degree for game programming they look for more. CS or Computer Games Programming.

Having worked at Lionhead I can tell you that pretty much all of their programmers had a CS degree and any person doing an internship there was a CS student. They usually respond to e-mails like yours, so you might hear back from them and get some extra encouragement to take a CS degree route.

Sadly I haven't had an email back from Lionhead or Bungie but it doesn't matter I'm sure on what I'm going to do now.

I have another query, this time it is geared towards what subjects are called. In my school (UK) we have the option of Computing to take at A level (the final grades before heading to Uni), obviously this A level is a definite choice for me. Having a look through the University Computer Science league boards my top option which is ranked 19th is Nottingham which would like an A level in Computer Science. Is Computing and Computer Science the same thing? If it is then this will be a real help to me!

I didn't know they did A-Levels in Computer Science! All my Sixth Form did was ICT :-(

Anyway I am 90% sure Computing A-Level is the same as Computer Science A-Level. Best thing to do is ask your school/college or phone Nottingham and ask them. Nottingham is a good Uni - it's recently been refurbished. I am currently in the final year of Computer Science at Aston University (which is ranked quite high and getting better every year) and can definitely reccommend it (not too far from Wales either!).

I agree with eveyone elses comments. A degree in Computer Science will definitely be seen as a "better" degree than the Game Programming ones. I'm currently applying for positions in the Games Industry and almost every position requires a degree in Computer Science. Saying that, don't expect to come out of Uni and instantly get a Games Industry job. Jobs in the UK are really scarce at the moment so you have to do everything you can to secure the job you want. This means you need a portfolio and that's something you can start doing right away! From my experience at this is the path you want to follow:

• Begin learning to program now. Start with something like Python or C#. Also take a look at Flash, UDK and Unity3D.
• Choose your A-Levels. Subjects I reccomend to a future CS student are Computing, Maths and Physcis. If you get to pick one more then look at English, Pyschology, Media Studies, or Art (if your good at it!)
• In Year 13 you may be able to take "General Studies". Take it, most Universities will allow you to include the score in your UCAS points tally. It's easy - just general English. Maths, Science and RE stuff.
• Continue to learn programming whilst doing your A-Levels and start building up a portfolio of simple projects (your A-Levels should be your main focus though!)
• Get at least a B in all your A-Levels!
• Go to Uni and study Computer Science.
• In the first year of Uni you will have quite a lot of free time. Use this time to work hard on your portfolio!
• The 2nd year of Uni counts as about 25% of your final result so work hard! It's for real now!
• Try and get a placement for the 3rd year. A Game Industry placement is prefferable but any placement will still give you a massive advantage in getting your first job.
• Final Year of Uni. Hopefully by now you'll have a nice portfolio and can concentrate all your efforts on getting a good grade. In final year you have a large "final year project" to complete which counts towards about 25% of your final grade. Most places will allow you to choose whatever you like for this project so use this opportunity and make a game - the Computing Department at your Uni will be able to help you with how big it should be and how to maximise your grade.
• If you haven't lost the will to live - get a job in the Games Industry! YAY! Your hardwork paid off!

Hope this extensive (and quite frankly rambling) post helped!

Sorry for bringing up a dead thread but that was some amazing advice! Thanks alot for this I've started learning Python and have some beginners knowledge of C# but I'm gonna focus on Python then finish up on C# then learn Java

I agree with Tom once you have finished your degree you'll be better equipped (hopefully) to dive into Games Programming. Does your degree have optional modules? If so some may help with games programming for example when studying what uni I want to go to for Computer Science Nottingham Uni has Graphical User Interfaces, AI programming techniques. On saying this I would say don't put all your eggs in one basket. Do modules which interest you as well as a few linked to games programming because you may found a job you find much more interesting and exciting.