Smartest way to get into the gaming industry?

[opkluu]

You dont really have to start as a texture artist (for example) to get a food on the game industry, if you are good enough and you have portfolio suited to work on that field, you will get in sooner or later. I could be wrong, but if my memory serves my right Maciez Kuciara was saying exaclty that not so long ago on his facebook.

As for artschools, knowing how absurdly costly they are in the US, going to one doesnt really seem like a good idea to me. In the case you dont get a scholarship, why put on your back a debt of thousands of dollars when you can learn the same for free, just by having access to the internet.

If you want to work on your fundamentals, go to life drawing sessions in your area, if thats not possible draw your friends/family/whatever or simply grab a mirror and draw yourself.
My point is that you can do and learn everything by yourself.

I mean, theoretically, one can learn everything an art school can teach by themselves. The only problem is just physically being in an art school would have a better benefit. For instance, the greatest thing about an art school for me would be the huge amount of like minded individuals learning with you. You're living and working with these students, and will get to know their styles, wishes, and work habits. The same can be said with instructors. If I were to stay at my house and learn, I wouldn't be physically living with or seeing anyone else like me. I already take life drawing classes at my local community college, and everyone there is just taking the class for credit, and not as dedicated as myself. The instructor is amazing though.

That, and there's no one really around to help push me out of my comfort zone. It's so easy just to get distracted and get back into a familiar routine, especially because I've lived in the same room for the past 10 years. But if I were to move out to an art college, and dorm with a roommate, then my routine will change drastically. I'll then create a new routine, and with my roommate practically living with me, we could always help each other and push each other to do better. It's much more meaningful and personal when someone who lives with you, and really knows you tells you, rather than an invisible person through a computer screen.

It just sucks, because the way that Noah Bradley says it in his article, it sounds like art school is a phenomenal way to learn, it's just that it's so expensive. That, and how college is always portrayed as this great place. I just feel like not going would be the smartest thing, but not exactly the most enjoyable.