"If someone just graduated from college and applied to be a game programmer/designer, what would you look for before hiring the person? Their GPA? What school they went to? How much computer/gaming knowledge they have?"

Submitted by: "Mongoose" Garrett

Answered by: Willie Eide (lead programmer, Sierra On-Line)

"I never look at the GPA. Everyone that I knew in college that was a serious game player always did what was necessary to graduate. Granted, our GPAs weren't low, its just that some of us were not too motivated by the big "4.0".

"As for the college, again I hardly look at that. I myself never had a silver spoon in my mouth and therefore didn't attend the finest school that money can buy. Its what you do with what you've got that I look for.

"For technical experience, I look to see if the candidate has a solid understanding of programming structures. Do they know C or C++? Have they worked on an array of languages and/or operating environments? Can they adapt? I look to see if the candidate is creative. Are they "book smart"? Can they think on their feet and come up with solutions to everyday problems? Do they want to have fun? What games do they like to play and why? Are they willing to do what it takes to deliver a product? I look to see what their hobbies are. What books have they read.

"To be a game programmer requires much more than just how to implement a rotational matrix. It requires communication skills, diplomatic skills, creativity, the ability to think fast and blow smoke, to know when to be stubborn and when to give in. Technical skills can be taught, personality skills cannot.

"Above all, you must have a passion to build great games, to get it in front of users and let them play, listen to their praise and their gripes, learn from it, and do it again."

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