What college majors can work for Gearbox

[troxist]

Hi. I'm new here. I recently browsed through the list of people working at Gearbox and saw some did not major in software related majors such as Computer Science for example. One person majored in a biomedical degree and ended up working at Gearbox. I'm currently in college learning Chemical Engineering/Bioengineering. I was wondering what college majors Gearbox and other game companies are looking for in future employees, and what kind of experience is required. I noticed some started working out at Gearbox while others are veterans of the game. Is it possible that majors totally unrelated to video game software can still get employed at companies such as Gearbox?

[Relics]

Thread moved to 'All Things Gearbox' as it suits its new location more than it did in IC.

I would suggest you have a look through the All Things Gearbox forum for similar questions to those you've asked. This thread is an example of a recent post that answers some questions like yours.

Originally Posted by ennui

To restate this - it doesn't necessarily matter all the time where your degree is from or what it is, just that you have a passion for game development and can do the job. The degree isn't everything when it comes to getting a job in many game companies, though it can't hurt. What we look for is talent, dedication, and passion for game development.

[KungFuSquirrel]

Originally Posted by troxist

Is it possible that majors totally unrelated to video game software can still get employed at companies such as Gearbox?

Absolutely. I know people who have been hired straight out of high school, plucked straight from college (as I myself originally was while partway through an English degree), and come from undergraduate and graduate degrees as far removed from games as Biochemisty and Astrophysics. In the end, the experience that matters most is the work you've produced - your code, your art, your animations, your levels, your sounds, etc. - and the great thing is that experience can come either from a degree or from your spare time.

A degree could be a quicker path with some excellent connections to help you find your first job in games, but can also rack up significant cost. A DIY approach could leave you with not many resources but you may find it more fulfilling. You might try and combine the two, spending some time in the mod scene before going on to pursue a game-related degree. I was approaching my English major as something I enjoyed (I most likely would have gone into teaching) should my game development goal not work out (something worth considering when pursuing any field). There's a lot of ways you can mix-and-match and still eventually end up in the same place someday; you just need to know what path you're most comfortable with.

[Gizmosan]

I know a few people who got hired without going to college. They had exceptional work and proved that they were talented. If you know the tools and how to use them effectively and show that you can exceed with them you'll get noticed!

I have a degree in 3D Computer Animation. I got the job as a Level Designer by passionately learning the tools in UT2004 and creating maps. I was determined to get a job creating levels, so I spent a year learning the tools that shipped with UT2004 while working as a marketing artist.

Anything is possible.

[marshdabeachy]

I go to DigiPen, but the degree I'm going to get in a little over a year doesn't mean a damn thing... it's the experience behind the degree that matters. If you can get that experience without going to college, more power to you.