Just wanted to ask what most of you think companies mean by saying they want at least 2 years of game programming experience.
First off I've never done any professional code but have over 20 years experience as a hobbyist doing just about everything related to making games, as well as some assembly and operating system design and kernel code.
A lot of the requirements look intimidating but hell I realize that I can pretty much do anything in C++ and learn any new technology. I wasn't at that point for some time but now I can usually implement any algo or new technique with minimal effort and usually I improvise the design and make my own. I've learned MFC on my own, DirectX, 3D graphics, shaders, etc, etc...and am currently working on an editor and an engine for a game project I volunteered for on this board.
No I don't have any professional experience or any shipped titles but I have tons of experience with games and have been gaming since like the IBM PCjr and Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0 by SubLogic. Now I have well over 250 games in my collection and I understand which one use which engine, etc, etc....
So do you guys think I should finally try to apply for a position or do you think they are gonna laugh me out of the picture here?
I know I can code with the best of them. My main lack right now is time and resources. I don't have 5000 bucks to spend on tools for making games, I suck at drawing and art as well as 3D modelling, and I'm not particularly good at synthesizing sound effects. Since a game is far more than just the engine behind it, it has taken me a long time to come by any of these resources.
That is the main reason for the lack of a good example of my work. Resources.
So what do these employers expect when they say all those things? I don't want to apply if I know I don't qualify. I'm not some noob that has tried game programming a couple of times and just learned C last year. But I also don't want to lie to the company because that will get me nowhere.
I could put a demo together w/o all the razzamatazz but then I don't feel it would give me good representation. Or are they looking more for how I solved problems and how I approached them than the final outcome. Graphics are not easy to come by, but the underlying code that makes the engine tick should count for something shouldn't it?
Suggestions?