Train2Game

[x0ny]

A few weeks ago I got a leaflet through the mailbox with a few details about video games courses (diploma), with no intention of enrolling, I decided to request some information from them for shits and giggles, they also have a TV ad, which I've only seen once. They offer a programming course, a game design course, and an art/animation course.

They sent a guy over to my house, who arrived 40 mins late, to interview me. Asked me the easy questions such as personal details, previous education and qualifications, current situation (working/studying), what game genres I know, how many hours I play each week, my spending on games per year.

A few other questions to get to know my character such as
"Who's idea was it to go to university?"
"Do you feel that you have a strong passion in art?"
"Are you computer literate?"
"Do you have a computer with internet access?" (I kid you not)
"If you didn't get onto this course what would you do?"

Then came one or two weird questions, "Imagine yourself 5 years from now, and looking back to where you are now, what do you see?"

I then had a flick through the course overview which was simply a list of "modules" or lessons which would be taught via internet conference using webcams and mics. Apparently there are no deadlines for handing in coursework, the pupil progresses at their own pace, it costs 5000GBP (7500USD) to enroll on this course which lasts 18-24 months, and you just get a diploma out of it, which the interviewer claimed was a good deal since a degree in the same subject would cost over 15,000GBP (22,500USD) which is an absolute lie.

But anyway, he came to the conclusion that I was suitable to enroll on the course (apparently only 60% of people interviewed are invited to enroll, highly unlikely says I), but I rejected him obviously for the following reasons (excluding the fact I had no intention of enrolling anyway):
There was no need to prove what qualifications I had (GCSEs or A Levels) which I claimed I had
Not convinced that a course with no deadlines also has a pass rate of 98%
But technically, shouldn't the pass rate be 100%, because a student is not allowed to move onto the next "module" until they have successfully completed their current module, so they can keep re-taking the final module until they pass.
I also felt that the method of teaching was rather unconventional
Plus I felt they were unprofessional, in that they sent a guy who knew very little about the course I was inquiring about.

Have you guys heard about Train2Game and Tiga? I've looked at some other video games courses but they all look so tacky in the UK. I've seen a few decent colleges in the US and Canada. What are your thoughts on video game courses?

Personally I feel that if you want to get into the games industry, do a more specific degree, eg: Arts degree, Computer Science degree, etc. Not just a video games degree/course.

I have a degree in Maths and computer science... and I work in a take away... go me.

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

This course does seem a little Hoaky. I say if you wanna be a game designer go to a place like Full Sail.

 

[jasoncyrus]

Err if you are in the UK then ask SAAS to fund it. If they say no then its a scam.

I assume its a degree course. If you have no prior higher education then its a scam, no degree takes only 2 years without prior education.

Also, no deadlines = scam.

If you REALLY want a QUALITY top of the range gaming related course.

Apply to Abertay in Dundee (www.abertay.ac.uk) or just google abertay (its the first result).

They are the number 1 gaming related university in the UK ad one of the best in the world. Dundee itself has at least 4 major gaming companies. Rockstar, Ruffian Games, Realtime Worlds, Cohort Studios and many more i suspect.

I went there myself and got my BSc (hons) Multimedia Development there, they also host the only Ethical Hacking Degree in the uk (and possibly the world, I havnt really kept up with it).

Basically, if you want to game and from the UK, Abertay is the way to go.

 

[HE Starwind]

Haha, the guy that came to see me came over an hour late, then parked on my lawn... and after I told him to take his shoes off he didn't. He was very unprofessional. These guys aren't advisors, they're salesmen, it's a massive con, it's cheaper to go to University. I had doubts about it anyway seen as though it was advertised on Facebook. Anything advertised on Facebook is a con and shouldn't be trusted, even if Facebook is advertised on Facebook. Don't trust Facebook. Oh, and don't trust Train2Game, you're throwing away your money.

 

[SimuLord]

If you want to be a game designer, the last thing you should do is go into "specialized" game design schools, because then you have absolutely nothing to offer to any other employer should you either burn out on the shit sandwich that is most game-industry jobs or get laid off due to economic conditions.

An education should always yield as broad a range of resume-fodder skills as possible. The more well-rounded you're perceived to be, the more likely it becomes that you can get your foot in the door with any company, not just game makers.

Think of it this way---back in our parents' and grandparents' day, learning how to work in auto manufacturing was a respectable career path---all of these people are out of work now with no hope of ever rejoining the work force because all those jobs are overseas. And they've got nothing at all to fall back on.

You're going to work for a good 30 or 40 years in your life---make them count.

 

[BonsaiK]

Christ, this course sounds dodgy. Even if you get a degree at the end will anyone take it seriously when they see where it comes from? I think Simulord's on the money with this one. If you're going to do a nothingy degree at least go to Uni because then your nothingy degree is worth a bit more.

 

[lee1287]

Yeha they contacted me, it's legit, apparantly, was on the forums for a while and all i saw was "it's a trap!!"

GL to you though.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Yeah I heard about Train2Game as well a year ago. I did sort of wanted to enroll (not really, it was my god danm parent fault for pressuring me). Anyway I email them about wanting to join but I did find it weird that they send a person over to talk to me about it (I expect the usual leaflet or brochuse etc).
During the time when I expect the guy to be over, I change my mind (my parent find it weird that they send a guy over as well) so I phone them that I cancell it. However the guy end up coming over anyway even though I did phone them about cancelling it (apparently they are lousy updating their guys). I admit I felt guilty since the guy said he had driven miles to meet me (he was somewhere far away) but meh it's not my fault since I did phone them.
So the guy left but an hour later they phone me if the guy was still there which I told them he wasn't and that it.
Hearing more about it from your point side of going through the interview thing, I do agree that its sound dodgy espically the fee and also the fact I don't own a webcam.