Hey everyone,
I'm 26, software engineer with a degree in the field. I've been coding for years but lately I realized I don't want to just build apps, I want to make worlds.
I recently watched some early footage of Arc Raiders and something clicked. That feeling of stepping into an environment and just... exploring it, that's what I want to create. The atmosphere, the details, the way a world tells a story before anyone says a word.
I'm not drawn to the backend side of game dev (even though I know it matters). My passion is clearly on the visual side, environment design, world building, the feel of a space.
I know I can't do everything alone, and I'm not trying to. I just want to find my lane and go deep.
A few things I'd love your input on:
- What's the right path for someone focused on environment/world design?
- What skills should I learn first?
- What tools are actually used in the industry?
- How do I build a portfolio from zero?
Any advice from people who've been through this would mean a lot. Thanks.