[QUOTE=xeonmuffin;29126728]You're a bit different considering that you took a different course in college, art wasn't it? But in your spare time you concentrated on a passion of yours which got you the place in that university - which is exactly what the 1st two pages were saying - Games design isn't entirely useless but it's certainly more helpful than nothing.
Also actually working together in a team is a lot more rewarding - say, a few of your friends get together and make a HL2/UE3 mod in your spare time - COMMUNICATION will definitely strengthen a lot of areas in your work, if you're just a few people working over the internet then it's a little bit difficult but is still possible and what you're hoping to do definitely helps.[/QUOTE]
It was music technology, and yes concentrating on it in my spare time did get me a place, but assuming everyone will always have friends to make a mod with isn't possible, all my friends enjoy playing games, but none of them are interested in designing anything or learning how, which has forced me to find mod teams and communicate over the internet, so for me, the course is still very worth it.
I'm doing a 2 year college course in game design at the moment, and I'm almost through the first year already
It's basically a lot of different subjects smashed into one, for example we do the art and media section on one day, which involves stuff like concept art, 3D work, textures and generally stuff like that, but we also do the technical side, like a tiny bit of coding and a look at how the hardware works and whatnot.
I'm treating it as a way of making my mind up on where I want to end up; experiencing the many parts of the industry and seeing what interests me most, so I can then go on to university in that refined sector.
So far it seems I have somewhat of a talent for 3D stuff, and whilst I personally dislike "tooting my own horn" as it where, I'm glad i'm actually slightly good at atleast one thing, and that's something I (probably) wouldn't have found without joining the course, which has atleast some value to it.
I'm actually working as a concept artist for a small starting studio right now. We're about to get one game out this summer (maybe), and then begin working on another here.
My only advice, if you're interested in making a game: Make a game that YOU want to play, not players. If somebody likes that game that you're making, and thinks it's fun, then its good. Thats why there is a rise of independent developers, people don't like playing overglorified tech demos with 'singleplayer' strapped on the front. People want to play real games, immersible and fun.
As soon as you start making games that aren't fun to you, whats the point?
Also, read up a lot of course information on the Game-Design course. If you're going to the Art Institute, make sure you do a tour, and look at the facilities where you're going to spend time working the next couple of years. I was originally planning to do a Bachelor of Science in Game Design at the AI, but after the price tag of tuition, I quickly changed my mind.
So make sure you want to make that kind of investment before you commit yourself.
[QUOTE=PLing;29123613]You don't really get money making games. You get long work days and stress of the crunch period or next milestone. But what I get is satisfaction from seeing it all ingame and working, nothing turned into something that has function.[/QUOTE]
True that
Was working on a script that allowed you to to open random programs that depends on your mood. After like 3 months of trying, it suddenly worked
That feeling cannot be described with words.. not even a 1000000 dollar would make me as happy as that moment
so whats more important to you guys in a game? Story? Art-style and graphics? Or just simple concepts?
That it's fun.
[editline]13th April 2011[/editline]
The reason that it's fun can come from any of those that you mentioned.
[QUOTE=Galoi;29149202]so whats more important to you guys in a game? Story? Art-style and graphics? Or just simple concepts?[/QUOTE]
Story
I love to get dragged in a good story..
And on the second hand i like very simple but awesome games like Doodle Jump or SS13 (SS13, well yeah i mean the graphics and such, gameplay itself has a steep learning curve)
[QUOTE=Galoi;29149202]so whats more important to you guys in a game? Story? Art-style and graphics? Or just simple concepts?[/QUOTE]
All gameplay. A game isn't a game without it being fun and enjoyable.
A good story is great and graphics are too, but then it becomes little more than a interactive movie if gameplay is neglected.
The one I'm currently in that I'm about to finish covers ALL the aspects but its very basic. If possible, go for one thats aimed at one area that you really really like. If you have an overall interest then definitely go for one that covers all the areas.
If you're thinking that you will get into a decent studio making proper games or whatever after you're done in Uni(presuming you go) then you're being a bit unrealistic. You're better off working with these studios that do mobile games etc because not only is it safer for people just entering industry and they hire frequently but its also building your portfolio up. It should be easier to hop around while working with smaller studios (I'm no expert but I've seen people from higher profile studios hopping around quite a lot so I'm assuming its easier with smaller studios).
[QUOTE=darth-veger;29127714]True that
Was working on a script that allowed you to to open random programs that depends on your mood. After like 3 months if trying it suddenly worked
That feeling cannot be described with words nor money[/QUOTE]
A thousand times this. I've been doing stuff thats put me in circles but when it works out of the blue perfectly, it all feels so worth it.
[QUOTE=NeoDement;29004151]Don't do a Games Design course. Nobody I know has been satisfied by it. What part of game design are you interested in?
Okay? So take a course in programming, 3D character building or story/script writing.
Generalist courses are useless for the industry.[/QUOTE]
Isn't a generalized degree better in the long run for getting a job period now a days? If your field is full and you have too specific of a degree to do anything else, you're screwed. To me, it just seems the game industry is not very stable, as many companies have been cutting staff left and right for the past few years.
Any of the companies that are going to be around for a long time, are most likely just looking for people who are already veterans in the industry with many AAA titles under their belt.
It just seems to me, it'd be safer to get a Computer Science degree and get an IT job or software engineering job somewhere and work on your own personal projects in your off time. Computer Science degrees are in high demand right now and their salaries have been going up.
Unless if you are 100% certain without a doubt wanting to do this, it would just be smart to stay out of such a specific field like that right now. Wait for the next renaissance.
[QUOTE=Funcoot;29178584]It just seems to me, it'd be safer to get a Computer Science degree and get an IT job or software engineering job somewhere and work on your own personal projects in your off time. Computer Science degrees are in high demand right now and their salaries have been going up. [/QUOTE]
I'm basically doing this. Even though my expertise is level design, I'm playing it safe with a computer science degree. Plus, I'm learning how to model on the side. It's probably good to know how to do as much as you can so you can do different positions depending on the demand.
[QUOTE=Stupideye;29178786]I'm basically doing this. Even though my expertise is level design, I'm playing it safe with a computer science degree. Plus, I'm learning how to model on the side. It's probably good to know how to do as much as you can so you can do different positions depending on the demand.[/QUOTE]
So is it working out for you? Are you currently at college or graduated?
[QUOTE=Funcoot;29178835]So is it working out for you? Are you currently at college or graduated?[/QUOTE]
Few more months in high school still, then I graduate. I've already applied to university though.
[QUOTE=Stupideye;29178973]Few more months in high school still, then I graduate. I've already applied to university though.[/QUOTE]
Same here! I graduate in less than a month. (On Friday the 13th, yeeeeah).
I'm going to Troy University in Troy, Alabama for my music education degree. I plan on teaching band at a high school. I figured if that didn't work out, I could try to get a job at some label or company working with artists, or I could teach privately. I would also like to maybe pursue a career in composition.
In my free time, I plan to work on music production as a hobby in my free time.
[QUOTE=Funcoot;29179034]Same here! I graduate in less than a month. (On Friday the 13th, yeeeeah).
I'm going to Troy University in Troy, Alabama for my music education degree. I plan on teaching band at a high school. I figured if that didn't work out, I could try to get a job at some label or company working with artists, or I could teach privately. I would also like to maybe pursue a career in composition.
[b]In my free time[/b], I plan to work on music production as a [b]hobby in my free time.[/b][/QUOTE]
You do it so much, you told me twice :v:
Doing teaching at a school + private lessons would be good imo. My teacher at school teaches a computer class for computer illiterate people on his spare and he has alot of cash.
[QUOTE=Stupideye;29179228]You do it so much, you told me twice :v:
Doing teaching at a school + private lessons would be good imo. My teacher at school teaches a computer class for computer illiterate people on his spare and he has alot of cash.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, I don't plan on teaching English for a reason. :v:
I will start work on my portfolio in june, after my leaving cert. any pointers?
Just dropping in to let everyone know that they are going to regret specializing in game design. That is all.
[QUOTE=Mr_Razzums;29234415]Just dropping in to let everyone know that they are going to regret specializing in game design. That is all.[/QUOTE]
If you really want to do it and you got a creative mind then you can earn big time when you execute everything well.
And most game studio's are really looking for new talented personal (New/Young ones)
[QUOTE=Galoi;29234252]I will start work on my portfolio in june, after my leaving cert. any pointers?[/QUOTE]
Make it eye catching, and allow people to easily find shit.
Now you guys are making me regret doing Games Development as my university course :(
[QUOTE=Dominic0904;29242046]Now you guys are making me regret doing Games Development as my university course :([/QUOTE]
As long you really want to make games and have a creative spirit
Then you are fine!
(Also try to make as many game industry contacts as possible)
[QUOTE=darth-veger;29243399]As long you really want to make games and have a creative spirit
Then you are fine!
(Also try to make as many game industry contacts as possible)[/QUOTE]
Yeah, it does seem to be a very "word of mouth" type of thing. My teacher was saying about placement year, and if the college has it all the better.
I'm almost finished my second year of Games Design at uni, and although I no longer want to work in the game industry, and rarely play games anymore, I still think coming to uni was the best choice I've ever made for the life skills alone.
Take games design course, and then get training to teach it. That is the only way it'll pay off in the end.
[QUOTE=Meloan;29243954]Take games design course, and then get training to teach it. That is the only way it'll pay off in the end.[/QUOTE]
Depends what you get from it, success isn't dependent on how much money you make, solely on how every individual deems as 'success'.
Don't thumb down the fact that you will not earn money or that it will be useless
The game industry is growing by the day (The game industry makes more money in the UK then music and movies)
[img_thumb]http://www.mmkmedia.co.uk/assets/_resampled/resizedimage5402189-UK-gaming2.jpg[/img_thumb]
I can say that this thread opened my eyes better on what I'm willing to become and I'd like to thank everyone who posted so far. It is a pleasure to read everything here. Also I'm learning C++ and willing to become a Game Engineer or anything related to programming.
:buddy:
If you want to get into video games, get a CS degree or an art degree. Don't get a Game Design degree.
[QUOTE=Hiccuper;29003692]I was thinking of doing game design, but I'm kinda put off by the fact that the requirements for college courses are really simple. If you do a game design course there's only one profession you can do, and it's not exactly a safe one.[/QUOTE]
Not necessarily, I'm in a Game Design course and as a profession you don't necessarily have to be a Game Designer, you come out of it with some qualifications:
- Game Design
- Concept Art
- 3D Modeling
- (Videogame) Programming
- CG Effects (video, etc)
- 2D Animation (Flash, etc)
Among others, it's a market where you don't necessarily have to be employed, if you're really good you can even go freelance or indie and make some good money.
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