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What advice do you have for those entering computer science in more artistic fields?
I am a senior in high school pursuing CS for more creative fields in the industry, primarily game/app development. What advice do you have for someone entering computer science and pursuing a more creative CS-related field such as game development (in the midst of the uncertain AI bubble)?
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Kartik Khandelwal
Aritificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Engineer
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Kartik’s Answer
AI in its current form doesn’t have its own will. It’s very good at certain kinds of knowledge work — including writing code — but it still relies on humans to decide what to build, why it matters, and what feels good to use or play.
For someone going into more artistic areas of CS like game or app development, that’s actually a huge advantage. You can use AI to prototype quickly, explore different mechanics or visual ideas, and build MVPs much faster than before. That lets you spend more of your time on the distinctively human parts: your taste, your sense of fun, your storytelling, your visual style, and your understanding of players or users.
Longer term, a lot of AI research is aimed at more general forms of intelligence, but we’re still far from anything like human-level understanding or creativity, and there are many unknowns about how we’ll get there.
If you focus on the combination — strong fundamentals, creative vision, and the ability to wield AI effectively — you’ll be in a very good position.
Learn the fundamentals (CS, math, algorithms, systems) so you’re not limited by tools.
Develop your artistic side (art, music, writing, design, storytelling) — that’s your unique edge.
Treat AI as a collaborator, not a replacement: use it to accelerate prototypes, not to outsource your taste.
Build a portfolio of small games/apps that show off both your technical skills and your creative style.
For someone going into more artistic areas of CS like game or app development, that’s actually a huge advantage. You can use AI to prototype quickly, explore different mechanics or visual ideas, and build MVPs much faster than before. That lets you spend more of your time on the distinctively human parts: your taste, your sense of fun, your storytelling, your visual style, and your understanding of players or users.
Longer term, a lot of AI research is aimed at more general forms of intelligence, but we’re still far from anything like human-level understanding or creativity, and there are many unknowns about how we’ll get there.
If you focus on the combination — strong fundamentals, creative vision, and the ability to wield AI effectively — you’ll be in a very good position.
Kartik recommends the following next steps:
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Colin’s Answer
If you are particularly interested in game development then there are also other subjects which may be useful to you as well as computer science. Art is obviously one but there's also mathematics and physics which can also play a large part.
If you like programming then it doesn't really matter what field you end up in, the love comes from solving problems. If you enter the gaming industry field then that doesn't mean that you'll spend your day playing games. More likely you'll be programming to solving issues like in any other field. I really don't want to put you off though. I still love coding.
I must say that from what I've heard from others in the gaming industry is that it is a high pressure, high stress field with tight deadlines. It is always crunch time.
If you like programming then it doesn't really matter what field you end up in, the love comes from solving problems. If you enter the gaming industry field then that doesn't mean that you'll spend your day playing games. More likely you'll be programming to solving issues like in any other field. I really don't want to put you off though. I still love coding.
I must say that from what I've heard from others in the gaming industry is that it is a high pressure, high stress field with tight deadlines. It is always crunch time.
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Joseph’s Answer
Pursuing computer science to develop games is like studying English to become a writer. First, consider who your audience is and what they want. Computer science is a tool, much like writing is for an author. Learning programming with Python and APIs is similar to mastering paragraph structure and themes in writing. Both aim to engage and immerse your audience in the experience you create.
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David’s Answer
CS studies can absorb your whole life if you are not careful. When I worked with game development (Very briefly) the CS side hired consultants for the art, play, and story side. It wasn't that Art,. Game Play, and Story didn't have CS experience or that CS didn't have Art and Story experience, all of those teams did. The company wanted expertise is specific areas to create the best product possible.
You're still very young and you should ignore the pressure to make a final decision on your future right now. The path you focus on should be the one that you want, but don't lose sight of your other interests and don't be afraid to change direction.
You're still very young and you should ignore the pressure to make a final decision on your future right now. The path you focus on should be the one that you want, but don't lose sight of your other interests and don't be afraid to change direction.