10 replies to this topic

[michael pw]

Hi!

I Started AS level (yr 12 in UK, 2nd last year of school) this week and i was wondering what sort of Courses / Universities people who have done degress related to programming or maths have been to. I have had help in the past from guys here on the GMC who are really good at Maths like Tepi, TheSnidr and Iccurd and i was just curious to know what sort of path you guys took as i need to decide what sort of path to follow relatively soon. Im currently studying Computing, Maths, Furthur Maths, Physics and Geography as A levels (idk how similar this is to systems in other countries but i can't imagine its too different.)

What im really asking is what would be people's recommendations for Degree's to take, i have looked into some Computer science degrees and they seem to not be at a hugely high level in general, I Already know a fair bit of Java and C++ (However not any graphics libraries which is what i really want to learn with both of those.) And i want to go to University for the experience and lifestyle however im a littler unsure about the best bet with Degrees, what i've heard is that Game Design degrees seem to not be recommended. I Would also say that from experience with Game Maker that i understand the logic of how to make a game and i could apply that to whichever language that i learnt. A Degree would also provide a fallback and ability to get another job if necessary.

Anyway thanks guys for reading this, i really appreciate any help, I Just prefer asking advice from physical people who have undertaken similar desires and people who i would assume have a similar start as i do (mainly to do with GM) as i find statistic websites / University website pages to be misleading or not quite portraying everything involved.

[TheSnidr]

I don't really have a suggestion for a degree, but as you mentioned me as one of your examples I'll tell you my secret - the internet! You don't need a degree in abstract mathematics to do cool things in GM. I've had no math courses since high school, everything I've learned after that comes from reading around the internet (and what I'm currently studying is completely unrelated to mathematics, even programming at all).

If you really want to get a job with programming, sure, go ahead, go to more school and get a proper degree. If you only want to make cool stuff as a hobby like me, I'd suggest reading around on EuclideanSpace.com!
Thanks, now I'll let the pros speak

[Moogle-Girl]

I learned a fair bit about programming logic, syntax, etc. from Game Maker as well, but I've also learned plenty of new things from my CS classes. If you want to go into game design or programming, I strongly suggest a degree in Computer Science. You have to start at the beginning before you can get into the advanced stuff. If you're worried that it'll be all the stuff you already know, think of it this way: easy A's.

Edited by Moogle-Girl, 06 September 2012 - 04:54 PM.

[cantavanda]

Because I learn so much Game Maker things so soon, I understand every math lesson in class without even studying, and the other people in my class are working hours trying to understand it
And I don't need to study for it because of my GML.

But I suggest that you study more computer things. I don't know anything about university and college, but I think there is something that talks about the deep codes and programming and codes and so...

[Tepi]

Although I'm majoring at Mathematics, I rarely use the math knowledge familiar from the university courses. In fact, the high school courses on vectors and algebraic geometry were pretty much everything I needed.

I'm sure that's something you can also learn on your own, if you have the patience and right material.

As of now, Game making remains to be just an awesome hobby for me. Programming, however, landed me a job as a Java developer.

[slayer 64]

i did some college, associates in software engineering. but any knowledge to do with game maker? i learned that from the internet.

[daspirit]

The only math you really need for GameMaker is trigonometry. I use it often while using GameMaker, but it really depends on what type of game you're working on.

If you're going to be learning other languages and need something like OpenGL, then you need to know Matrix Algebra (or you could simply find a library that does it for you lol). I learned everything I needed in Matrix Algebra by myself from the internet. I usually just look at examples on the internet and I dissect them and then I play God and put it together on my own.

I am also going to be going for a Computer Science degree, and it seems easy to me too, as I have 6 years of experience under my belt before I even started courses. If possible, see if you could test out of some courses (which is what I did for a few) and possibly try going for a double major or get a minor while at your University so you make good use of your time. I think a degree in Math is kinda pointless, not much you can really do with it other than to teach it. Engineering sounds like a neat thing to combine with Computer Science (though not always good if you want to solely go for game development), but I myself am combining Computer Science with Economics. Most Computer Science courses still have courses that you won't be familiar with, like OS courses or courses where you'll be using Assembly languages.

Hope that helps.

Edited by daspirit, 08 September 2012 - 04:26 PM.

[kibblesbob]

Right now I'm going for my Major in Computer Science at my Community College so I can better myself and finally move on from GM. Not to ditch it, but so I can get a job using a more common language and learn new ones. I want to be well rounded in my math and english as well, so this is a must for all programmers if you want a job doing what you love.

[Slasher_X]

I'd recommend going for a Comp Sci degree. Not only will you have a degree under your belt, but this also opens yourself up to many more careers in computing other than just game development. Ultimately what you learn is methods and theories and these methods and theories may be presented to you in the form of a number of different computing languages. In my first year we made little visual programs using the Delphi Pascal language and introductory console based programs using C++. After the first year C++ became the dominant language. So you see, Comp Sci will use many languages to teach you the principles of programming and logic. It is up to you to actually learn the language completely and how to use it effectively. At present, I'm in my second semester of my third year and have been able to easily take what I have learnt and make games with game maker. Besides, like nearly every job out there in the game development field recommends either a Comp Sci degree or an accredited Game Design degree.

Edited by Slasher_X, 13 September 2012 - 09:25 PM.

[SariusGames]

Everyone, thanks a lot for sharing your feedback and insight. I'm a Computer Scientist "hopeful" (for now, currently grinding through a difficult Precalculus II (Trigonometry, etc.) class with a really demanding professor). My determination is stoked by listening to you guys/gals affirm the importance of that CS degree.

I just got into GMC, but it's always been a dream of mine to be able to become a game designer/creator. I started in making music for games for a few Indie-based developers, and ever since I've been hooked on learning to create games.

Edited by SariusGames, 04 October 2012 - 08:43 AM.

[OMGCarlos]

I'm Project Director for a web development firm, and we had a few clients come visit us two weeks ago about a web app they wanted built. So we got to chatting and they asked us what our background was. My boss is hyper-social, so he cut in and wanted to talk in our behalf. He goes around: he has a masters in this, this one has a bachelors in that.

When he gets to me he goes: Carlos has a masters in CS. I swear I grinned so awkwardly I looked like the Joker...I don't have a degree. The thing is, they were so blown away by my portfolio during the interview they didn't even bother asking me what my education was. Among other things I showed them during the interview I actually googled "OITS GameMaker", went to my forum post here on the GMC, and downloaded my project to show him how I could build tools out of anything.

He said "well...****!"

At least in web development creativity goes a looooong way. I can't speak for game devs, but I'd imagine it's even more important for game development lol.

That being said, school is invaluable. While you're in school: soak up as much as you can, network with students/professors, and slowly build up a kickass portfolio of games.

Just figure out what you want to do...if you just want to develop games and thats it maybe Computer Science might be a good fit. If you want to eventually start your own game dev company or otherwise go beyond game development, business would probably be a better fit.

It's 2012, if you are really passionate about game development you'll eventually learn what you need from the internet anyways.

Since it's already your hobby, you might find yourself getting ridiculously ahead of your CS specific classes, simply because you apply everything you learn in class at home. If you DO do CS, just stick through it...I hear some of the more advanced classes are awesome!

Edited by OMGCarlos, 20 October 2012 - 07:12 AM.