8 replies to this topic

[Revek]

What is the best place for a degree in video game design?

and what do you think I should take for courses. I am very intrigued with C++ majored in math in highschool. I love designing games and creating concepts. I have poor to mediocre art skills occasionally good.

I basically want to be the guy who can do it all and when you need to finish a project be the go-to guy.

[dannyjenn]

United States?
I see DigiPen advertised a lot. No idea if it's any good, but it doesn't look bad. It really doesn't matter where you go though, just as long as you major in game design (and the school is accredited... not some online school or small no-name school that no one knows is even legit, because companies typically don't trust those degrees).

As for courses... depends on the program. The school I go to really gives you no room for free electives, so I don't have to worry about it. My school might be different though... it hasn't yet broken the game development major into concentrations so everyone just learns everything.

The thing is (at least what my teachers have told me), these days if want to do game design you must get a degree in game design. Not programming, not media, not art... a few years ago you could get a job in game design with a regular computer science degree, but not any more since game design is getting a lot more competitive and offered at a lot more schools.

Edited by dannyjenn, 26 August 2012 - 07:06 PM.

[connor4312]

Carnegie Mellon - the guys who practically invented game design teach/taught there, as well as one or two other noteable people.

Edited by connor4312, 26 August 2012 - 07:15 PM.

[Revek]

Digi Pen?

[Mark Ian]

hahaha and he sais digi pen hahaha

[Polar Productions]

If you happen to be in the Western Canada area, the Vancouver Film School is pretty well known as a great place to learn about all kinds of media relates disciplines.

[Derkas68]

What is the best place for a degree in video game design?

and what do you think I should take for courses. I am very intrigued with C++ majored in math in highschool. I love designing games and creating concepts. I have poor to mediocre art skills occasionally good.

I basically want to be the guy who can do it all and when you need to finish a project be the go-to guy.

Hey, Revek! I am definitely not anybody notable so take what I say with a grain of salt. Search on YouTube Extra Credits: Game Schools. Though it may not be the best source to help you it is, in fact, not wrong. Because I was directed here by them also search Extra Credits: so you want to be a game designer.

I have connections in the gaming industry. I am not in this industry...yet. I hope to be and will hopefully get a shot with an interview in about 6 months. I am not relying on my connections to get me the job, just the opportunity. Now, on paper, you blow me out of the water as far as skill sets go. All I ever programmed was a simple game in BASIC on an Atari 800 XL. My friend, who was 2 years younger than me did the same. He made a game that was bacically the old board game Mastermind. It was a million times better than mine which discouraged me from going further. Because of the way I think and approach things I did not excell in math. I got just past pre-algebra and lost interest. Why? Because the best my teacher could tell me why I should learn it is because it would be required to be a pilot, rocket scientist or a chemist. In a way, the teacher failed me by not providing practicle ways to apply math. As far as my art skills go I draw a mean stick figure. Well, a little better than that but that's the best way to describe my skills after meeting some profession artists.

Just from your post I can say your best bet is to be a game designer. I say this because, despite some casual errors, your post was simple, polite and understandable. I think you're a well rounded person. If you plan on working at a game company with 50+ employees a 'jack of all, master of none' won't cut it. That may seem a little insulting but I'm about to insult many more people and hopefully redeem myself a little by you. I have met some programmers. The ok ones I've met are cool people. Wouldn't mind working with, going to the movies or hanging out at a bar with them. These are just the ok, with extensive skills, programmers that get tapped on the shoulder to help out. The really good programmers are a different story. These people are brilliant in an intellectual sense. So much so I think they boosted their intelligence score to the detriment of their charisma score. I'm not trying to be judgemental here, just stating what I have witnessed. You and me? We're apples and good programmers are oranges.

You will make a better designer. You don't make as much as a programmer only because they are always in demand. You'll have more freedom and more input on the full scope of the game. Plus, whatever skills you can hone or develop will help you, including math and programming because it might be better for YOU to make a prototype or mock-up than to bog down your top programmers.

I believe I have other skills that will help me succeed as a designer. I have demonstrated these skills to people in the industry to the point where they knew I wasn't "qualified" but should apply anyway. The way I see it is that we would complement each other in our skillsets. Well, I hope I get my chance and succeed and I definitely hope the same for you for a gamer can never have enough great games to play.

[bobhoil]

I am currently attending UAT for a degree in game programming. If you look at early reviews for the school they were not good largely due to problems with difficulty from what I understand. I started attending the school almost three years ago now and then they had made some changes and the school does very good on the ratings side of things and I feel like I am learning a lot from the school. They provide a large diversity of different programming languages and also engines for you to practice which throughout the degree specific courses. You do have to be prepared to "teach yourself" in way if you attend online like I am. I hear it is very similar when you attend on the campus also.

If you want more information please feel free to let me know.

[artistu1991]

I am currently attending UAT for a degree in game programming. If you look at early reviews for the school they were not good largely due to problems with difficulty from what I understand. I started attending the school almost three years ago now and then they had made some changes and the school does very good on the ratings side of things and I feel like I am learning a lot from the school. They provide a large diversity of different programming languages and also engines for you to practice which throughout the degree specific courses. You do have to be prepared to "teach yourself" in way if you attend online like I am. I hear it is very similar when you attend on the campus also.

If you want more information please feel free to let me know.

You're Right