Career of games development - General

Since its my final year in school, i was looking over career choices. I found Games Development, this seemed like a good choice as i do love playing games, and i was wondering if anybody has completed the course or completed a course similar to it (programming and such). Thanks

I made a thread like this, that is basically.. this. Check Fast threads or click my Username and search threads made.

Depends what you want to do. If you're looking to be a programmer than you'd be better off picking a more computing orientated course. If you're more into the creative side of development then it might be worth it.

Creating them is a lot different than designing them or etc. And a lot of people do not realise that.

Well basicly, i want to learn how to compile programs for a start. Then eventually work my way to more exp.

Playing games =/= Making games. Remember this. It's really not as fun.

[QUOTE=Irishdef;24886617]Since its my final year in school, i was looking over career choices. I found Games Development, this seemed like a good choice as i do love playing games, and i was wondering if anybody has completed the course or completed a course similar to it (programming and such). Thanks[/QUOTE] Playing Games is very different to Games Development, a lot of people seem to forget that. You can do a BTEC Games Design course at College (If you are in England atleast anyways) which gets you the qualification to go to university and obtain a degree in a more specific area of Games Design, so you really need to decide what you want to be in that industry, there are many different fields in Games Design such as artists, audio developers, programmers, story writers, mappers and probably a whole lot more. I do a Computing A-Level at the moment and although it is probably handy for a job in the games industry (teaches you pretty extensive programming, however it is in a pretty basic language such as VB.net, Delphi or sometimes Java, as well as this you are shown how a system is developed from start to finish and the likes, there is also a theory module which teaches you exactly how the computer operates in very technical detail) however it does not show you the ropes in graphics development applications or mapping for game engines and the likes. So all in all Computing isn't a bad subject and it will give you some of the skills needed, but a Games Design course would be better suited if you are CERTAIN that's the industry you want to pursue a career in, Computing is a more diverse subject and has an application in a wider range of jobs. Sorry for no paragraphs but I am tired. Oh and if you want to learn some basic program, this is the book we used in the first year of College to learn fundamental programming skills, it is written for VB.net however it is a pretty decent starting language and provides a good stepping stone up to C# or C. It really takes you through everything so at some stages it may seem as if its written for a retard but just go with it and it will teach you the in's and out's of basic programming, you can really learn VB.net with little tuition from others as long as you read that book. [URL]http://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/net/vbnet.html[/URL] Hope this helped!

Make sure its specific to what you want to do. I'm doing a course that covers all areas and its basically just giving me a taste of everything and honestly there are bits I could do without. I'm in england I might add. Unless you really have a passion for the design behind games and already have some understanding, you might be put off by the course.

[QUOTE=Irishdef;24886739]Well basicly, i want to learn how to compile programs for a start. Then eventually work my way to more exp.[/QUOTE] It won't be the course for you then. Pick something broader like computing if you're looking to improve your software engineering skills in general.

Well i could take a course in Animation if that would help. Also i wouldnt want to do a job which be interested in.

Don't just do animation for the hell of it though, you really don't want to waste two years of your life doing a course you don't enjoy, you need to look into it a bit deeper and have a look around some Colleges and contact the tutors of the subjects, they will be able to tell you exactly what will be contained in the course.

[QUOTE=Irishdef;24886739]Well basicly, i want to learn how to compile programs for a start. Then eventually work my way to more exp.[/QUOTE] If you are Irish and want to do games dev. there's courses in Carlow, Athlone, and Dublin. Although you really need to have done Higher maths or at least did very well in Ordinary, there is a lot of math work involved from what ive been told, I know a guy who is on year 3 in Carlow IT doing games dev. he said it's tough enough lots of coding and C++, but if you have a genuine interest go for it. Another story is I had a friend who wanted to do the dev course thinking that he would only be doing the art side of things, big mistake.

[QUOTE=JamesMay;24886762]Playing games =/= Making games. Remember this. It's really not as fun.[/QUOTE] You kidding me? It's fun as hell!

Games Development courses are 99% crap and stand for nothing. Employers really look down at them. Game courses are far too linear, if you really want to be a game developer you'd do something much more valuable like computer science. Most game developers look at games courses and laugh.

[QUOTE=BAZ;24886847]Games Development courses are 99% crap and stand for nothing. Employers really look down at them. Game courses are far too linear, if you really want to be a game developer you'd do something much more valuable like computer science. Most game developers look at games courses and laugh.[/QUOTE] Maybe at college level, sure, but getting a full games related degree at university is nothing to be sniffed at.

Well the qualification at College makes it really easy to get onto a Uni Games Design course since it pretty much builds up your portfolio for you which you need to apply to a University course like that.

[QUOTE=Wiggles;24886887]Maybe at college level, sure, but getting a full games related degree at university is nothing to be sniffed at.[/QUOTE] I've spoken to guys in the industry and a few professors, they agree'd that game degrees are garbage.

[QUOTE=JamesMay;24886762]Playing games =/= Making games. Remember this. It's really not as fun.[/QUOTE] I disagree, I love making indie games

Currently im doing applied maths and ord. maths. I do love em numbers.

I read somewhere (and my computing teacher told me) that most game development degrees were not actually incredibly useful, he recommended that I do a more general course (which I'm doing, Maths & Computer Science at Bristol), which gives you a much wider range of opportunities when you finish the degree. Additionally, I think building a portfolio of work is far more valuable than knowing how to create stuff in a portfolio but not actually haveing anything to show for it.

[QUOTE=BAZ;24886847]Games Development courses are 99% crap and stand for nothing. Employers really look down at them. Game courses are far too linear, if you really want to be a game developer you'd do something much more valuable like computer science. Most game developers look at games courses and laugh.[/QUOTE] There's definitely something to this. Most "games design" courses are made to attract students who think making games sounds cool but don't really know what they're doing. They'll give you a little bit of experience, but nowhere near the proficiency you'll need to compete at a professional level. You have to specialize--it sounds like you're mainly interested in programming, so you probably want some kind of Computer Science degree. I'm working on a BFA in Animation and Illustration, which is a lot more likely to help me find work in the games industry than a generic "how to make a game" course. That said, it certainly doesn't hurt to specialize in multiple fields. Just make sure you're good at them.

[QUOTE=Randdalf;24886954] I think building a portfolio of work is far more valuable than knowing how to create stuff in a portfolio but not actually haveing anything to show for it.[/QUOTE] This, as long as you can build a really good portfolio and prove that it is your work its pretty plain sailing to my knowledge.

[QUOTE=Randdalf;24886954]Additionally, I think building a portfolio of work is far more valuable than knowing how to create stuff in a portfolio but not actually haveing anything to show for it.[/QUOTE] Exactly this.

[QUOTE=BAZ;24886908]I've spoken to guys in the industry and a few professors, they agree'd that game degrees are garbage.[/QUOTE] Sounds like a load of shit to me. Not only do you do numerous projects on a degree that result in you actually completing a game from scratch, but you also get to do full time work in the industry in your third year. Even I can tell you that experience is the most valuable asset when it comes to getting a job in the industry.

[QUOTE=Irishdef;24886921]Currently im doing applied maths and ord. maths. I do love em numbers.[/QUOTE] Your sound so, go for it. Theres not many points to get it either.

[QUOTE=Wiggles;24886999]Sounds like a load of shit to me. Not only do you do numerous projects on a degree that result in you actually completing a game from scratch, but you also get to do full time work in the industry in your third year. Even I can tell you that experience is the most valuable asset when it comes to getting a job in the industry.[/QUOTE] Just because you can complete a game from scratch doesn't mean your work is any good. And if your work isn't any good, you won't get a job. The most valuable asset when it comes to getting a job in the industry is a good portfolio. The thing about Games Design courses is that they'll give you the opportunity to dabble in every aspect of creating a game, but they won't help you reach a professional level in any of them. That's why most animators and modelers have art degrees, programmers have CS degrees, etc.

[QUOTE=Wiggles;24886999]Sounds like a load of shit to me. Not only do you do numerous projects on a degree that result in you actually completing a game from scratch, but you also get to do full time work in the industry in your third year. Even I can tell you that experience is the most valuable asset when it comes to getting a job in the industry.[/QUOTE] Professors, what do they know? but yeah sure you can make your own game but it's spreading yourself thin. You're not going to be doing all the roles, you're going to be specific to one area in practice, you'll just have to make sure you're good at it.

I left halfway through my course, because a lot of it was theory, essays and technical, actually making the games was such a small part of my course, it fucking sucked. Plus there were no girls on the course.

Degree in physics and computer science

Sure, il look around and look into them again/ask around. And hopefully i can do it in Galway.