ok, here is how i learned Games Design and got a job:
i was living in ireland and had no access whatsoever to any games companies. but i knew i could better than most of the shit coming out. i have a crappy 28k modem net link and an average computer.
but in my favour i had 20yrs of games playing behind me and i had a huge collection of games consoles and games.
i was just starting a film course, so i knew that my education would stand to me in 'the industry'.
i started off by making very small and simple games. there are several free game 'engines' to mess around with and they offer you the chance to create something from scratch.
modifying existing games is were i cut my teeth. i never released any of my creations but i played everything i made over and over, moulding it.
Script-writing and storytelling, along with training in the visual arts, gave me the neccessary skills needed for 'Visual Storytelling', which plugs in nicely to the games industry. of course, there are practically useless if the games you want to make are in the vein of puzzle-bobble on so on...
sites like this:
http://www.gamedev.net/ helped me immensly. the information there showed me 'the box' and how to think outside it.
yadda yadda yadda, made some short films and adverts... yadda yadda yadda living in finland working for a games company and making an animated movie.
the trick is to start small, understand gameplay, being able to communicate your ideas (which is still hard for me as i re-read my post
), and having a skill which allows you to bring something more to the team.