If I worked as a game programmer will I still be able to design a game and get it developed by the company-

Question

I work for? I ask this because I was just looking around and it seem like alot of studios are looking for programmers more than anything but i would lik to c my video game storyline, battle system, and ideas in a full developed game. So how would I go about designing and directing a game design idea as a programmer?

Answer 1

major video games are created by a complete design team.  if you have no previous experience, start low, like by being an assistant to a programmer.  maybe an internship?

Answer 2

There's only two ways to get your game to reality:

a) pay somebody else to write it

b) write it yourself

The game companies generally aren't interested in new ideas for games.  Coming up with ideas is a lot easier than implementing them.  Generally they have several games that have already been 'designed' but not implemented. They don't want a new project (especially one that's not completely thought out) until they get the current projects done.

Believe me, if you haven't really programmed a game, you haven't thought it out fully.  

If you do want to see your game see the light of day, you can make it happen, but it will be a long haul.

Learn to program.  The language isn't that important (I like Python for beginners - C++ is a lot harder to get started with, and it can wait)

Learn how to write games. This is different than just programming, Game development involves a new set of problems - managing sprites, collisions, score-keeping, communication, and so on.

Consider a degree in computer science. Don't mess around with game design or new media programs that don't have substantial programming and math. Learn the design side, but learn the programming too.  

Work for a gaming company if you wish.  If you have a real math-based computer science degree from a reputable university, you probably won't have too much trouble getting a job in the gaming industry (in fact, you won't have too much trouble getting a job.)  

Do not work on your game on company time. That will make it a company asset.  Learn what you can from the studio, build yet another FPS clone or whatever marketing wants, but learn your craft.

Join an open-source game community on your own time. Participate in a mod or open source game and learn how to work in the open source community.

Finally it's time to build your own game.  For the most freedom (and the least pay) go with an open-source team. If you have the chops to make it work, you'll be able to gather a team. If not, just keep working on your own.

You can also go the indy route. There are some very good games being produced on the indy scene right now.