Tightening Up The Graphics on Level 2

Lately, there have been an increasing number of commercials on the cable networks Sci-Fi Network and G4, for learning how to program video games.

One thing to realize about Sci-Fi and G4. They enforce stereotypes. Big time. Sci-Fi is naturally a network that focuses heavily on Science Fiction programming. G4 focuses on video games, but they have other shows sprinkled in like Star Trek: The Next Generation, because let's face it, you can only have so many shows about video games.

The stereotype being enforced is a male one. To these networks, women don't seem to exist, or to matter. Hey, it's Science Fiction, it's video games, only nerdy guys are interested in that. Let's commit fanservice to the males and show things like scantily-clad women. Women won't be offended, because obviously no women like video games or science fiction!

Yep, the female hosts on a lot of the shows are model-variety, while the male hosts are just, average. Think a network where Conan O'Brien hosts everything (No offense, Conan).

So now we've got the background on the networks.. what about those commercials I mentioned?

Well, they're all pretty much the same. Come to our school! Learn to be a video game programmers! Play video games all day! Live the dream! All the commercials usually have two guys sitting playing video games, all the while saying how great it is, and how they can't believe that they do this for a living.

Yes, they're playing to the crowd. What do nerdy guys who watch science fiction and video game shows like to do? Play video games! Hey, let's give them false hopes and make them think that being a video game programmer will be a non-stop kegger.

I'm wondering if there are guys who actually fall for this glamorous view of the programmer. I studied programming in college. Guess what, you're probably going to be spending 99.98% of your time coding and debugging your game, and the other 0.02% beta testing it. At least that was my experience with programming. There was very little time spent actually using the program you were coding - most of it was spent making it.

I've read and heard stories about the development of video games. A GOOD video game (meaning, not one of these $5.99 games at Walmart like "Fish Tank Tycoon" or whatever) can take years of development. A lot of that time is spent at the office, sucking down sodas and eating heavily salted snack foods. Some programmers have to spend a lot of time away from their families during development.

If that doesn't bother people, take into account the lack of recognition a programmer gets. Sure, if a game does well, you're going to be proud. But most of the credit is going to go to the creator of the game. Much of the money will be spent marketing the game and paying the outrageous salaries of the big-name voice talent the publisher might get for the game. Is it going to be, "hey, there goes Rick Drywall, programmer of Killer Alien Slayer!" Nope. More likely it's going to be, "you were a programmer on Killer Alien Slayer? Oh, that game created by Quincy McReinhold? He's awesome! He has such original ideas. He's the best game creator ever!"

So, still not bothered? Still think you're going to be sitting in a recliner, with your best buddy at your side, playing games all day? And that hot scantily-clad women will be drawn to you because you make video games? Then by all means, go for it. You're exactly the kind of person these commercials are targeting.

And if you look at these commercials, think they are pretty stupid, but still are considering a career in video game programming? I salute you! You obviously know what's in store and I wish you well in the future.

I just hope you don't mind working with a bunch of guys. ;)