Getting into games design
- Thread starter Chartist
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Teeside University. Has to be the best in the UK, but is quite busy so places are limited.Chartist said:
i would personally go into computer engineering with a focus on programming. and i would definitely avoid any kind of trade school.
Don't know about the UK, but in the States, Digipen in Seattle, and Guildhall in Dallas both have decent programs that have produced folks I've hired and been happy with. Getting right into design can be difficult though, unless you go in as a level designer and have a good portfolio to show. If you plan to do that, learn a bit about architecture it can only help your level designs.
You might be better off getting a Computer Science degree, and design/program your own games to get your foot in the door. Lots of designer need to script, and some studios use designer/programmer hybrids. Plus, it's a payable field outside of the industry when you burn out.
You might be better off getting a Computer Science degree, and design/program your own games to get your foot in the door. Lots of designer need to script, and some studios use designer/programmer hybrids. Plus, it's a payable field outside of the industry when you burn out.
No matter what you get into, I can't stress enough the values of real-world experience and hands-on work, so look for a school that offers opportunities for both.
And of course, don't graduate without doing an internship. These days, your degree and education only get you a 4th of the way there no matter what field you're in. Have an internship or two under your belt with some real goals accomplished, and you'll be much more attractive landing your first gig.
And of course, don't graduate without doing an internship. These days, your degree and education only get you a 4th of the way there no matter what field you're in. Have an internship or two under your belt with some real goals accomplished, and you'll be much more attractive landing your first gig.
I have heard similar things from devs with whom I've sat on panels for getting into the games industry. Learn about the basics in school, but the most important thing you can do, is show your passion for creating games, demonstrate to the studio heads why you should be hired over someone else. How do you do that? Make mods. Model characters, weapons, vehicles, etc. Apply your skills to show interest.BallPtPenTheif said:
I've also heard similar things; the education is very useful, but the key part of an application these days is the portfolio. Make (and keep!) designs of your own, to the best of your ability... even better, get together with others and make a mod or level for your favourite game which not only demonstrates your design chops but also your ability to work with others.
Don't focus solely on "game design" either; there are successful designers out there with degrees in architecture, computer science, fine arts, literature, mathematics... heck, BioWare started up to make software for medical applications, hence the name.
-- Steve
Don't focus solely on "game design" either; there are successful designers out there with degrees in architecture, computer science, fine arts, literature, mathematics... heck, BioWare started up to make software for medical applications, hence the name.
-- Steve
First of all, I have no direct experience of game design courses, but I get the impression from interviews in Edge magazine and online, that developers are lukewarm when it comes to games design courses.
The reasons they usually give are that many of the game design courses in the UK are hampered because they can be quite good money-spinners for universities, so the pressure to set up these courses can mean that they can be brought in to being when there aren't really the staff and facilities to do it well. Also, because students can have expectations that game design is going to be non-stop fun, when it turns out that it can be hard work, and requires technical knowledge, maths, logic and so on, students can be put off and even drop out. To avoid this, some courses can go quite light on the 'tricky stuff', to try and keep their numbers up.
However, some game developers forge close links with local universities, and have a symbiotic relationship with them, whereby the developer lends the university its expertise and experience; and the university identifies the 'cream of the crop' to the developer after graduation.
I suppose the thing to ask yourself is whether the course in question is going to teach you what you need to know. I don't think there's any point doing the course and expecting the piece of paper you get at the end of it to enable you to walk in to a game design career. But if it's going to give you the skills you need, then great.
As others have said, though, you might be better off getting a degree in Computer Science, and then 'topping up' those skills with ones learned in your free time, and then put all that in to practice to get a great portfolio that shows a real passion for the job.
The reasons they usually give are that many of the game design courses in the UK are hampered because they can be quite good money-spinners for universities, so the pressure to set up these courses can mean that they can be brought in to being when there aren't really the staff and facilities to do it well. Also, because students can have expectations that game design is going to be non-stop fun, when it turns out that it can be hard work, and requires technical knowledge, maths, logic and so on, students can be put off and even drop out. To avoid this, some courses can go quite light on the 'tricky stuff', to try and keep their numbers up.
However, some game developers forge close links with local universities, and have a symbiotic relationship with them, whereby the developer lends the university its expertise and experience; and the university identifies the 'cream of the crop' to the developer after graduation.
I suppose the thing to ask yourself is whether the course in question is going to teach you what you need to know. I don't think there's any point doing the course and expecting the piece of paper you get at the end of it to enable you to walk in to a game design career. But if it's going to give you the skills you need, then great.
As others have said, though, you might be better off getting a degree in Computer Science, and then 'topping up' those skills with ones learned in your free time, and then put all that in to practice to get a great portfolio that shows a real passion for the job.
totally. and i think that is an important thing to remember. many people in college view their work/assignments as being in an isolated academic bubble having nothing to do with their real world aspirations.Andraste said:
when i was in college studying film, most people were making disposable short films for fun thinking that they would get serious once they tried to make a "real film". when graduation came all those people had was a diploma that was only worth the cost of the paper and cute little portfolio style leather booklet it comes in.
on the other hand, i had been actively pursuing film projects and was using them as class credit. i wasn't making films to pass the class. and when i graduated i had a degree and a full demo reel that demonstrated everything i knew, which i then used to procure real jobs.
if you really have a passion for game design you should be designing and modding now.
My bro got into games designing by doing a 3D animation course and a games industry specific course co-run by Atari over here. He also went a couple of years without employment.
Some good advice would be learn to program in C++, he said that they are always in demand and because there is a shortage they can dictate their terms of employment to a degree.
Some good advice would be learn to program in C++, he said that they are always in demand and because there is a shortage they can dictate their terms of employment to a degree.