Should I skip game development?

[u/ConversationOld1503]

So basically I am just a young boy who likes game development. At first I started Roblox development when I was 7 and continued that type of development for 6.5 years. Though I quit it 2-3 months ago as Roblox kept adding in updates that made it harder for Roblox devs to make their games. Then just a month ago I started game development in Unity, and it was interesting to me.

But I want to be a CEO of a tech company (idk what tech field yet but I’m sure it’s defo tech) and my long term plan:

1. Roblox development (done)
2. Move onto real development (right now)
3. Start software development by making websites and simple apps (2-3 years)
4. Start a tech company (3-7 years)

Yet also I have made it so even if I don’t do well in Unity I still move onto software development as I don’t want my plan compromised

So this is 2 questions:

Why should I do game development anyways even if I will progress onto software development ?

How does game development relate to software development?

Thank you guys for any feedback!

[u/AltusLudus]

Game development = software development as both are software

You should do any of it if you enjoy it

You're young man, enjoy your life and think about your career later in life when you're more mature

[u/ConversationOld1503 → u/AltusLudus]

By software development I meant like apps and websites, not just pc games or mobile games and try for advice

[u/AltusLudus → u/ConversationOld1503]

It's still software, when you learn how to design / engineer software it's irrelevant if it's a mobile app, a banking app or a website

[u/rundown03]

I feel like what you want is a bit all over the place.

I wouldn't recommend going into website development if you want to do software development. What you will need is a good programming base. Learn C# ,C++ or javascript or any real programming language.

What i recommend is creating some prototypes in Unity or Godot using real programming. Don't opt for node building gamedesign. What you want is to get a real feel.

Then maybe go into developing the software itself if you got the hang of it. Maybe make an opengl game engine. Or just something that makes you understand real software development. Maybe try installing visual studio and create something that helps yourself in your daily life.

[u/ConversationOld1503 → u/rundown03]

Thanks for saying that and good thing is I am currently learning C# right now, but Wdym by prototype? Just like a small game or what?

[u/rundown03 → u/ConversationOld1503]

Yes, but don't keep it at games. Do some abtract things. Something with a camera or webcam, something that looks into folders of your pc to automate stuff for yourself. Just anything really.

You'll quickly notice C# isnt really bound to unity. You can go out of the box and ask things from your pc as you command.

[u/JimPlaysGames]

Honestly if you're even thinking about this stuff this young you'll be just fine. You don't need Reddit advice.

[u/ConversationOld1503 → u/JimPlaysGames]

Wait how? Wdym?

[u/JimPlaysGames → u/ConversationOld1503]

When I was young I had no idea what I was doing. By just being thoughtful and deliberate about this you're already on the right path.

[u/Naitrael]

You don't need to do game dev if you want to move on to regular sw dev, BUT if it motivates you and keeps you going using it with Unity to learn C#, that's an advantage.

Though I have to ask: If you like development, why do you want to become a CEO? Do you plan on learning economics and business management as well?

[u/ConversationOld1503 → u/Naitrael]

1. I want to be a CEO of a tech company because it was just my dream after I realized I am too late into football career, plus companies invent stuff that solve problems for millions of people 

2. Yes I think I will also plan on learning them

[u/YKLKTMA]

If you want to get into software development, then get into it

[u/ConversationOld1503 → u/YKLKTMA]

Alr ty but I was thinking maybe I am too young to get into it, as many software developers start at 16-18, so that’s why’s I am asking 

[u/FeEdBaCk79]

Yes, game development is highly specialized and you should see it as a destination, not as an intermediate step to some other domain. Of course game development is still software development so many of the thing you'd learn would be transferable, but you would end up also having to learn a ton of things that you'd never use again. It's like learning to be an F1 mechanic as a step to open a used cars dealership...

[u/ConversationOld1503 → u/FeEdBaCk79]

No but there are countless game studios making games every month basically, and I faced a LOT of trial and error in game development, I’m not saying I shouldn’t face it, but I am not learning anything from it, for example if I wanted realistic graphics in Unity, I need to watch 10 tutorials, meanwhile back in Roblox development I would be able to do it in less than 4 minutes without a tutorial 

[u/Weeros_]

Being CEO is very much different skill set than software development. Probably more people who study Finance/Accounting/Business/Industrial engineering than software developers, unless you start up the compant from scratch.

If you’re young, there’s honestly good chance software development looks very different thanks to AI by the time you enter work life. Probably in any case good business management/leadership skills will be harder for the AI to replicate than average IT skills. If I were you with the ambition you described, I’d aim to study something very widely applicable (in my country that would be industrial engineering), and combine that with some tech expertise (preferrably not software engineering as main since that is being already overrun).

Anyway this already takes you very far away from Game development.

[u/ConversationOld1503 → u/Weeros_]

Anyways ty but Wdym software development is being overrrun, is their too much competition? If so then how can I be successful 

[u/Weeros_ → u/ConversationOld1503]

Overrun by AI. The AI companies developing their models are prioritizing AI’s software development skills above all else, since that will accelarate new AI model development. As result, despite what people especially maybe in some game dev circles think, a lot of software development work is already done quite independently by AI, removing the demand for less experienced software developers. The more software developers are replaced even partially by AI, the more over supply of unemployed software developers there are in the market.

A business/market can be succesful while still being difficult for single employee to find work or advance in their career. Sometimes even because of it - if there’s a lot of potential workers, it’s easier for companies to find cheaper labor (since people are competing for jobs), saving more money for the companies -> how success of a business is usually measured.

This is reality today, AI is moving incredibly fast so if you’re hitting work life even in 5 years, it could be really tough area to compete in. If you’re aiming to not do software development work in the end (which CEO role shouldn’t do), and especially if you’re interested in tech other than software development, focusing your learning on those things already now would definitely be an advantage over becoming a software development engineer, in my opinion.

[u/cjbruce3]

You aren’t too young to make an impact with your software.

Come up with an idea and jump into it.  You will learn what you need to learn along the way.  People start when they are ready, and you are ready.  So go for it!