How does one get involved in the creation of video games?

Here's an answer I wrote up a while ago.

https://www.careervillage.org/questions/23856/how-can-i-become-a-video-game-designer?page=1#23867

Hi

First off - you probably need to decide which part of the game development you would like to be involved in (as the creation of a game takes hundreds of people - with many different skills) - e.g. video game modelers (digital models of the people / landscape / objects) in the game, or a level designer - determining the "architecture" of the game, the goal / challenges / difficulty on each level, or you could be a story-board developer - someone who helps design the game story and characters and objectives, you could also be a sound engineer for the the background music and noises / sound-effects during the game, etc hundreds of types of jobs!

So - suggest you get in touch with companies who develop games and find out how they bring in young developers, whether they have internships, or have opportunities as a games tester (they all have pools of people they call on to test games before they get launched (testing for bugs and usability etc) - also think about going to gaming events to learn about the tech / who the players are in the industry.

Suggest there is a wealth of information in this topic on the web - in specialist blogs and forums, and probably, if you look hard enough, even local event where you live that could help you getting into this field.

Step 1: Obtain a Bachelor's Degree

Designers may need a bachelor's degree, especially if they're planning to work for a large game studio. Although some schools offer a degree in game design, aspiring game designers can get the necessary training from computer science, software engineering, or related degree programs. The coursework for a game design program covers subjects like 2D and 3D modeling and animation, level and interface design, storyboard rendering, drawing, and scripting.

It's important that you also play video games. As simple as it may sound, having experience and familiarity with playing video games is important. Even at a young age, being aware of popular trends in the industry and understanding advanced technology can be beneficial. Playing video games can also show you how a game is structured and can give you a chance to start thinking of ways to make improvements for when you design your own game.

Join a game design club. Some schools have a club designed for students who wish to develop and discuss games outside of the classroom. This type of club generally covers all facets of game production, which could be rather useful for future game designers.

Step 2: Determine a Career Path

Even within this specialty, there are different types of designers, including lead designer, level designer and content designer. Additionally, game designers have a diverse array of responsibilities that may not immediately be obvious, so aspiring professionals in this field should consider what type of game design career they want to pursue.

Step 3: Gain Experience

Even after completing the required education, getting a job with a game studio can be difficult. Since employers require game design experience for most mid-level positions, aspiring game designers need to find ways to get relevant experience. Some companies offer internships and co-op positions for prospective designers. Small businesses may be willing to hire inexperienced game programmers or artists, which could lead to game design positions later on.

Step 4: Develop a Game

Game design candidates can get an edge over the competition by designing their own game. Students can use free or inexpensive programs to create simple games at first and begin working on more complex projects after grasping the basics. Each game can be added to an individual's portfolio and count as design experience.