Bored!

[j_spelts]

So what can I say, I'm a database programmer (DAO/ADO/ODBC) who is burned out with migrations, front-ends, bad specs, and predesigned db's that are just wrong. I need to get out of this biz before my brain cells die off entirely...

Question is this: I love programming, but I can't stand what I'm doing. How does one get into gaming or something similar? How does one do it for a living? What do you people do for a living? Any responses would be greatly appreciated...

[Ambivalentiowa]

I'm a full time student and only use VB for one of my classes. I made a game once but it's a bit tough in vb. The best way to get into it is to only do it as a hobby, and try to find som examples of good vb games you can get inspiration from.

[riis]

There's an interesting combination of programming, databases and graphics, namely GIS (Geographical Information Systems). Of course you should like maps if you ever think of working for a company which deals with GIS-software.

For me it's just all I want

[Zaei]

Pretty much the only way to get into the game programming business is to have the skills, and generally, the experience. I would suggest that you start learning game programming specific skills (not neccessarily graphics). Some off of the top of my head would be Networking, AI, Graphics, Physics, Sound. Most game companies want programmers with a failry wide skill set, with some experience in all of the above areas, as well as a specialty (sound like an RPG yet? =). Your work in databasing is a really good perk(especially for games such as MMO games, because of the amount of database work that needs to be done to store the game state).

In a nutshell, you arent going to find work straight out of what you are doing. My advice would be to try to either join a game group that has already formed (The Unlimited people on these forums would love to have you, check the thread down in the Communication Area Forum here), or start your own group. The number one biggest thing that you can have to show to a potential employer at a game company is a completed game.

Z.