Future in game programing?

[RooT]

hey I have been coding for quake since i was maybe 15, and im only a little bit better now than i was before but i was wondering how many of you seek actual positions in the computer gaming industry. I know quake is quite out-dated and modern gaming is thicker and harder to learn than ever, but even something such as the Tribes tourqe engine I have read up on and it's supposed to be good for begging game programers, would that be a good place to start? I have a copy of Battlefield 2, a very amazing game (altho custom tf still takes the cake) and modding for that is difficult but im learning. What im really wondering I guess is those of you who have persued a career in gaming, how did you go about it, any good decisions / bad decisions in college courses or other such ventures? Im 19 so im at that "beggining my life" bullshit stage but I think that I could do well in the industry with the proper education. Also, any books you recomend on learning C++, visual basic, whatever you found useful. My life consists of chillin with my friends, my girl, and games... I want that to last forever
Thanks for taking the time, and i hope my spelling wasn't to atroucious (hah)

-Root one

[Sajt]

Well, if you get into the industry, I doubt there will be much time left for chillin

[IceDagger]

I've always wanted to work in the game industry actually... Started modding back in highschool, I think I was around 13 then.

I just got a job at a computer gaming company. Programming Trainee for a month, then I get promoted to regular programmer (If my performance is ok). I guess they'll have me working on Monster AI and game scripts. It's pretty much the only company that develops PC games here in the Philippines. I wonder how it'll turn out.

I start in November.

[Urre]

Awesome, Ice! What company, and what game, if you're allowed to reveal that is?