everybody who did a general computer science /Engineering degree have at least done a one module related
to computer graphics, and most of them at least familiar with one Graphics pipeline. Either OpenGL/DirectX.
But real industry game programmer is much more experienced and have a gap of experience than just another
computer engineering freshener just outed from the university.
Today there are easy technologies like Microsoft XNA that you can shift working games within couple of months.
There are free and open source game engines available to you. Some are free ,but they are in the professional
grade. Such as Cryengine.
http://mycryengine.com/ students can download it now.
Games to mobil computing environment are quite different from desktop computing/game console world.
But the mathematical and basic computer graphics skills are same in both.
Before you hire ppl , I think you have to know decide what technology I'm going to use. What is the
target computing platform ? what game engine and tools you'll be using? what kind of programming languages
compilers and debuggers available in that platform? what kind of graphics/modeling software [such as :3dMax,
blender,..] you going to use.
Roughly ,to develop a simple game with Cryengine ,better language is C++/C.Experienced Coding/Debugging/
code Reviewing experience,maintaining a large project. Probably 5yrs experienced as a C++ programmer have that.
Still required knowledge and experience of deep 3D pipeline and math behind it.Most important is experience.
[which is something I don't have
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_e_sad.gif)
] but in the case of math almost all cs degree holders are normally good
in it.
Graphics skills and experienced about tools such as blender [my choice], 3D max etc.[Every computer science
degree holder had gone through a Multimedia modules in their degree program , but do not hire just a UoM
fresher but hire somebody who actually have industry experience dealing with multimedia].
You have to be really smarter when you choose ppl. because you offering a job,not a training. For a example
just a in-experienced person may say ,I'm familiar with C/C++ and I have done courses of computer graphics
,3D pipelines and multimedia in the university, But instead real developer will show the passionate about the
technology, such as " In grade of 11 ,I have tried to compile source of my fav game and change it's
character's face to my face. First I have seen codebase is a mess. But keep doing it and concentrating
again and again finally I'd able to do it" , and do not hire ppl who just memorize the API's/show wire frame button in blender and who mechanically memorize it. , see list of
projects that they had done in previous time.Open source projects that he contributed, his reputation status of
sourceforge is also a good source of information to judge him for a experienced/not experienced developer. If you feel confident then he can work with you.
Good place to start is inside Sri Lanka. But you have to chose correct ppl. Try to get ppl who are
experienced but not just qualified ,and you won't mess it up.
First decide particular technology, target computing environment, tools you going to use. Then you know
what are the skills you need to hire.
[BTW, I'm still not a experienced developer, I'm want to ramp up my skills and contribute to a project in
sourceforge ,to show my experience. But I replied you with the experience that I had chatting with
professional game developers who are experienced ,and I have done a big research what actually industry
needs , so I could ready myself]