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General Discussion

Hariidaran Tamilmaran
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Hariidaran Tamilmaran
iOS Development Techdegree Student 19,305 Points

I can't decide if I want to be an Android Developer or Game Developer.

I started gaining an interest in learning how to code with HTML and CSS. I started making random designs (I'm 13 years old; started when I was 11), and then I found JavaScript. It made things more easier for logic and other stuff. But the trend changes every time, and I found myself with Android, and started learning Java.

I'm almost done with the track (I'm on the last course), but before Java, I really wanted to know how to make video games with Unity and Unreal. And a few months later, Treehouse releases courses on how to make 3D animations and how to code games with Unity. Just recently, I got to know that if a video game was made already in Unity, just a few things had to be changed, so it could be compatible with other platforms.

And people started developing for VR, which was pretty cool because I've tried on a VR headset. I'm really into Android development, but feel a lot more about learning how to make video games or apps which could be used in VR (which is ironic because I never play video games at all).

I really want to make a video game and make apps. But I'm just distracted, even though learning how to make video games don't seem like an obsession. Is it fine that I have HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Java, Swift (I was learning a lot, until I saw Android, but I'm going to refresh) and Android (it isn't a language, but a topic) in my skill set, and become a Game Developer?

I really need some help, because every spare second I have, I spend it on Treehouse, where I can learn to code. But I have no experience in gaming (by that I mean, I don't know C++ or C#). But is it too late to change paths? Some guidance would be appreciated.

Yours truly, Hariidaran Tamilmaran (you can call me Harii)

2 Answers

The best career advice I've heard is to do what you love. If game programming is it, then it's worth it to change. I don't see the two as mutually exclusive though as the best apps I have ARE games. ;)

Yes, there is no harm in learning various languages and skillsets. In fact, most of the time (probably all of the time) it would be seen as a bonus.

You are very young, there is no need to make some long term decision right now. Try both! "Test the waters" with both of them, maybe spending 2-6 months on one and then 2-6 months on another and see which you like better or move on and try something else new. Don't feel like you need to buckle down and focus on just one specific topic just yet, take your time and explore (and more importantly, have fun doing it). It's never too late to 'change paths' and you can always go back to ones that you've left behind.

Good luck, you have a bright future ahead of you. :)

Hariidaran Tamilmaran
seal-mask
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Hariidaran Tamilmaran
iOS Development Techdegree Student 19,305 Points

Well you just made me chill down a lot. Thanks a lot Shane, but I have school, and I've heard about people getting distracted from one topic to another, and then they waste time (no offence to them), but I feel likeI'm one of them. So is it fine that I could take a break from the Java track and do some Game Development (just asking).

Yeah, that can certainly be an issue. I would advise against skipping all around. Focus on one topic at a time and be at some sort of break point before moving on to another topic. If you go and try to take 3 different topics at once or in a very short period you could possibly end up not learning anything or confusing yourself along the way.

Ultimately the decision is yours, so hopefully my reply is helpful. :)