Game Design Courses

[thespis721]

Hey all,

I'm trying to research game design courses to take but entering "Game Design" into the old Google results in a lot of sites that offer little to no to malicious information. Basically, I'm looking to sink my teeth into some coursework Game Design/Programming classes without having to enter into a Bachelors/Masters program. Sort of like... auditing, I guess you could say.

Any advice about where to look or where offers good classes?


PS - I am located in New York City, however if none are available there, online is a perfectly fine backup.

 

[Naheal]

What specific area of design are you looking at getting into?

 

[thespis721]

Well, see, I'm not even sure where to start. Obviously I need to learn coding but also even starting with basic design elements and expanding upon that is where I would need to go, I imagine. I think you need to have the design elements down before you start thinking about genres, etc.

 

[Naheal]

No, no, I'm asking what particular job you're looking for. If you're looking to be an animator or terrain designer, you need an art degree and an art school will be your best bet. If you're looking at designing an engine or working with the triggers and junk, you'll need a comp sci degree. If you're looking at distribution, a business degree will be needed. You're not going to get to choose what genre of game you make unless you're looking at just sticking with indie design. This will help determine what school and program would be best for you.

Edit: Also, Daniel Floyd is your friend. There's one he did previously that fits with what you're asking for [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/extra-credits/2443-So-You-Want-to-be-a-Game-Designer].

 

[Amnestic]

From what I've heard, most basic "Game Design" courses seem to be bunk, for lack of a better term. As Naheal says, you might be better off aiming for a specific area of game design. Writing, voice acting, animating, coding, music, whatever.

Were it me, I'd be heading in the direction of writing, so whichever uni courses (English literature perhaps?) would help with that. Obviously it's whatever appeals to you, but I would - personally - advise against generic 'Game Design' style courses.

If you're after programming and the like, take a Computer Science degree and work on games on the side. I would wager that making some actual games will be more impressive than just a degree. I think Extra Credits did a video on this topic recently, though obviously they can't go into a great deal of depth considering time constraints.

Edit: Oh, so you think you can just edit to link to the Extra Credits video do you? I'll get you next time Gadget Naheal, next tiiiiiiiimeeeeeeee!

 

[thespis721]

That makes a lot of sense. I'd have to look into that. I was thinking about programming, mostly, because I would imagine anyone who designs any elements should have a basic idea of the constraints and language that the other areas use as well as being to create simple applications myself.

I suppose in my very naive manner, I was thinking more of the conceptual, level design, using an engine to create something sort of manner. But again, that probably seems far more general then is needed to really answer the question.

Good to know that basic "Game Design" classes are bunk.

 

[Naheal]

From the sounds of it, an art or 3d design degree might be best for you. Look for art schools nearby and get some experience under your belt when working with an engine. If you haven't yet, I suggest downloading the Unreal Development Kit [http://www.udk.com/download] and start working around in a bare bones engine. Further, folks out here have started to dub Unreal the "everything engine", as it seems to be used in damned near everything.

You want to learn C++, Unreal Script, and Java no matter what direction you go in. Basic coding knowledge is always a plus. My specialty before I had changed majors was mechanics and physics engines, so I had quite a bit of programming that I needed to learn. One of the guys I was working with on an indie project decided to go the route that you're sounding like you're wanting to go in and he'll be getting into the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design [http://www.google.com/search?aq=0&oq=Rocky+mountain+co&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=rocky+mountain+college+of+art+and+design]. He's specializing in 3d design and level design at the moment.

You need math courses. Lots of math courses. I take maybe four or five more math courses than the average comp sci guy and I'm a math and linguistics major.

Take literature courses. You need to know what makes a good story and what doesn't make a good story.

When you play games, break apart what's going on in the game. Look at the triggers, the levels themselves, the story, the characters, the abilities you have, and the balance of these abilities. This will help in the long run when determining what works and what doesn't work in a game.

If you don't already, get some books on D&D, find yourself a group, and start playing. Work your way up to being a DM and design your own setting. Make custom parts to the setting and do what you can to tweak it to make it not only fun and balanced, but compelling and interesting. This is a greater challenge than you may think, especially if you're trying to do something completely different from what the system does normally. I have a high-tech, high-magic setting that I use in 4.0 D&D at the moment and I had to rebuild several classes just to get them to run properly in it without making them completely OP.

 

[thespis721]

That's a lot of good information, Naheal. Thank you. I think the logistics and math stuff I need to get on quick. I got the literary down pat as I've been working deeply with literature, script analysis and such for years (My current field is in the arts as a stage director and writer).

 

[Phoenix Arrow]

Tip: don't do any kind of programming course unless you're REALLY dedicated to it, it will slowly drain your life.

From what I've heard, most basic "Game Design" courses seem to be bunk, for lack of a better term.

No, that's not the problem. The problem is that people don't know where the line in the sand is. They'll go balls first into some course when what they want to do is be like Peter Molyneux or something and that's not how it works.

The best way to look at it is to forget about games for a minute and think about what creative thing you want to do.

I wanted to be a level designer, by the way. I did course which was mostly programming. I hate programming and I suck at it. Was good at design though. Now I'd just be happy to be a baker. The hours would suit me and I like making bread and cakes and things.

 

[Ziadaine_v1legacy]

Your first step would be to look at local Colleges and see what courses are available. In Australia you need to do Cert 3+Cert 4 IT before you can move along to Games Engineering which there's only two Colleges that will provide you with the proper courses.

 

[Joezar]

I don't know how things work in the USA, but here in the UK, the two most populars games related Uni courses are Games Design and Games Development, and i think this can be adapated to how things are in the States. They're both rather different. Now, reading through this post i can't quite discern what you really want to do, so i'll just blag on about what i know.

Games Design is the arty stuff. The course would cover Conceptual art, level/character design, 3d work and actually making some games of course. The big thing about getting on a course like this, is actually being able to be good at art. Not only that, but at least doing it for some years, at minimum 2-3 years. You need to be either good at drawing, digital art(photoshop etc), 3D modelling, or even all 3. They will teach you all three in the first year, because the first year is all about getting everyone up to scratch. I do think knowledge on the use of Photoshop and Autodesk Maya is a real bonus for convincing them to let you on the course.

Games Development is programming etc. If you're a technical, mathematical thinker this would be for you, maybe. I say maybe because even though you may enjoy programming, as i do, can you honestly see yourself doing it for a job? Such courses have high drop-out rates because people fail to answer this question before applying. There's still a lot of creativity in programming for games, but it's often more directed by the leads than other departments. To get on such a course, knowledge of C#, C++, Unreal are not essential. What is essential is a good understanding maths, a little programming knowledge (For example Visual Basic, it's very easy to pick up), and being a great problem solver. I would advise playing around with Unreal kit though, it's not essential, but in looks great on you and loads of companies use it. C# is often taught in the first year, from scratch, while C++ in later years. If you want to do this course for fun, go for it, but if you want to work as a programmer, take some time to really think it through first.

To clarify, there is no such thing as an "Idea Man", because everyone in the game making process provides ideas. Working in the industry is hard work too, often having to work long hours to meet deadlines. On the flipside, it's very rewarding and pays pretty well. You should also know that you won't get a lot of time to actually play video games while on a Games course, or working in the industry. In fact, a lot of Developers do very different things to playing video games, as they're often tired of seeing games or staring at a computer.

I'm not trying to dissuade you from doing such courses, i'm just giving a bit of a realistic picture, as many people don't.

 

[TriggerHappyAngel]

You do mean "Game Design" right? - creating the rules and gameplay of a game.
- Not; Programmer, Artist, Production Manager, Storywriter, Level designer or Character designer?

I am on my way of becoming a Game Designer/Storywriter myself (through education, practice and reading books) and 99% of the people that i speak with confuse Game Design with something else.