Tom Sloper

1. with my current heavily arts-dominated background, what kinds of roles could I realistically expect to apply for in games development companies?
2. Would the ability to program well not assist me in getting a job,
3. or in developing my own titles?
4. And wouldn't a formalised computer science course, regardless of the qualification gained, assist me to learn some relevant principles much faster and more rigorously than I would by myself,
5. and in a way where employers can see proof of this?
6. I also think the topics of my studies have hardly been irrelevant --
7. I've just been spending two years thinking in-depth

1. Without a portfolio, a body of actual games, "none."
2. No. Ability needs to be demonstrated. You need a portfolio.
3. Of course it would.
4. Perhaps. Take courses, not more full degree programs. 
5. Employers need to see a portfolio. Not more Ph.D. and M.F.A. degrees.
6. Not irrelevant to game design. But irrelevant to game programming.
7. Thinking is not as good as doing.

I am 24 and these are my current qualifications:
2011 - PhD in English Literature at King’s College London
2010 - 2011 M.Phil in American Literature at University of Cambridge
2007-2010 BA(Hons) in English at University of Cambridge
(Part I: 1st Class; Part II: 2-1)
Is my plan a sound one, and how can I improve it? How do I become the right kind of candidate for a games design role?

You need to stop getting degrees and start making games.
Build a portfolio.
But even with the best portfolio, I imagine most hirers will see you as over-educated, which implies a poor employment risk outside of academia.

I envy your degrees, since I'm teaching at university now.

I don't see how this relates to producing or managing games. Not sure what you're asking ("What things can people do(knowing that I am tired of it and will exchange it for something else)?"), so I'm moving this to the Lounge.

I'm guessing you're asking "can I sell my unfinished project to somebody," to which the answer is "yes, you can try, but you're not likely to find a buyer." 

What core mechanic do cards provide in tabletop card games and what is the equivalent in a computer game?

In a tabletop game, cards provide random characters and situations (and sometimes, outcomes). In a computer game, you can simply introduce a character, who introduces a situation and has AI.

(PS, in Stupid tricks, le two last tricks shares the same 24th place. tongue.png You might want to correct the number for the 25th. smile.png )

How about I number then ALL 24? They're poorly organized anyway (it was dumb to arrange them alphabetically).