There are a lot of colleges out there now that have dedicated courses for game development.  I'd recommend going that route.  If you want an entire school devoted to making games, take a look at Digipen in Redmond, WA.  They're one of the first, and most specialized schools.  Just makes sure you accel in math throughout high school, and get good grades... cause that's what they'll look most closely at when reviewing your application.

Programmers do a lot more than just that.  Basically anything that you see (and don't see) happen in a game, a programmer needs to have created a way to make that happen.  Most companies categorize programmers as either an Engine Programmer or a Game Programmer... and within these two types, are many specializations.  An Engine Programmer might special in graphics programming, low level networking, audio programming, etc.  Whereas a Game Programmer could specialize in something like Object Infrastructure, Player Controls, AI, User Interface, etc.

It's not just determining what happens when the player hits a button...  although that is part of it.  Most companies these days seem to pick people who have certain specializations, like the ones I listed above.  But there are also those programmers who know a little bit of everything... and there is still room for people like that in the industry, also.  Usually the smaller companies, maybe with only one game team, end up looking for those 'general programmers'.

Hope that helps...

Well, that's a pretty broad question...  but the basics are:

1. Obtain one or more development kits for the appropriate console you want to develop for.

2. Get some programmers, artists, etc to make a game on that development kit.

3. Work with a publisher to fund and/or market the game, and handle the distribution.

4. Get the game certified by the company responsible for the console you're making it for.

5. Ship it off to the publisher and console company for duplication and shipping.

Those are the general steps that a game development company ends up going through for a console game.  PC games can have a different way to go about them sometimes, because of many different distribution methods.  I'd recommend just getting an education in game development and go get a job at an existing company somewhere... you'll learn all of this other stuff and be able to make a better decision about breaking out on your own.

Establish a company, with some experienced people... and then pay Sony a lot of money.  Dev kits aren't cheap for the big consoles.  The cheapest platforms to make games for are the PC / Mac / Linux... and the GBA.  The GBA is cheap to get into only because there are a lots of people who have spent the time to make their own SDKs for it (which you can download online), and just use custom ROM burners to run their games on existing GBAs.  If you want to make games for the XB, PS, or other Nintendo systems... you're gonna have to get some people who know what they're doing, and pay a good chunk of change to get going.

I know it's out of my league but about how much would a dev kit for the ps3 cost?

I was wondering... i am 12 years old and I know how to fix computers and sort of know how to build them, and i want to know of i can get a job right know as a computer software designer right know or if i have to wait to get a degree and wait till i am 34?

 

Iv always wanted 2 make my own driving game. a simple program where you just choose a casual car and drive it over some terrain or even import my own cars into GTA! however I do not know which is the best platform or engine to use for such. Iv got 3DS max7 and Gmax 1.2 but thats all I know, can someone advise me on what to use?? U could B my 1st driver to try out the game!!

where would i get a good game programe for making games.Without paying

Hi you can all call me Chris, i am a game programmer but the program i use is so rubbish and i need some hints tips and programs (free) so i can improve my programming i am not experianced but if you can help me i would be really greatful my e-mail is christianthompson@hotmail.co.uk

many thanks - i would really apreciate it if you did help

chris xx