My Life

Hi,
I just thought i would get some opinions etc. on my university course (in America it would be college course) that will decide what career i can get.

My course is Computer Games Design, at Westminster university, London, (harrow campus).

From what i was told while i was there the course will cover

* C++ Programming


* C# Programming


* Level Design


* 3D Modeling using Maya and 3DS Max


* Some animating using motion capture


* Creating games using XNA, Gamemaker and UnrealEd


* The games will be made for PC using OpenGl and Directx3D, and some will be transferred to xbox 360



This is all i can remember so far, thanks for reading.

Please post any comments below.

P.s. The course lasts 3 years, and i will get a Bsc(Hons) when i graduate.

Some more info: https://srs21live.wmin.ac.uk/ipp/U09FUCGD.htm

Do you think this is enough to get me a job in the computer game industry.

Thanks,
Blade

How about you do it safer, and make a "real" computer science course, and do the gamedesing part in paralel (as hobby, Indy or part time in a games company).

Then you have the chance to easier switch to a "real" computer science job
if you dont find something in the games industry,
or dont like it after a while.

A concentrated gamedesing education is also posing a high risk
as you specialize too much that early.

You don't seem to understand, it is a "real" computer science course, and i can get a "real" computer science job, this course covers programming and more.

I am also studying National Diploma In IT at the moment, and am finding it too general, as i want to specialise in something rather then be OK in everything.

Also you do realise that 3D modeling and animating is not just for computer games, it can be used in film and TV as well as other uses such as construction prototypes and hardware prototypes.

Ok, it sounded as if you want to only do game related stuff.

Its better to have a classical education with some specialization,
than a pure "game desing education".

Why do you think that ?

And what do you mean classical? Classical is usealy described as english, maths, science etc.

Try to get the education that gives you the biggest range of options when you look for a job.
And only specialize as a sidetrack.

Ask yourseft: what can I do with my education when I dont want to work in
a game company or dont find a position in such.

Also: for game companies, what counts more is project experience, and
not so much the educational background.

Classic programming like ... COBOL Actually, this course looks pretty good. I remember reading about this a little over a year ago and that there was a lack of good game related courses in Britain. I can't remember if the discussion was on the SplashDamage site or LevelMakers. Generally, the conclusion was that having a solid education in computer science was the important factor. The Harrow course outline hits on the two critical languages (C++ where most of the industry is, and C# which is emerging). The concern I would have is that they may not concentrate enough on either to be of huge value without having to do more.

A good way to check out the quality of the course would be to talk with someone that has taken it or is currently enrolled.

Either way, good luck.

Thanks DC9, and yes i have spoke to the person who is teaching the course (it's where i found out about the above) and it seems to cover alot the only thing i am worried about is that it doesnt cover enough and give enough experience in games design and concentrates more on programming.

It will be easier to get a job as a skilled programmer than as a game-designer. But you really need skills then in fields like shader, ai, scene-management or graphics programming with good mathematical background.

If you want to become an artist then this course sounds like it misses a lot. Max and Maya are old polygon modelers. You need some more advanced painting and texturing skills with tools like ZBrush, Bodypaint3d or Modo. And you need skills in classical arts (e.g. painting, sculpting), color theory, symbols, image compositions and much more.

It sounds like this course is something in between. You will not be a skilled artist and not become a skilled game programmer except you do a lot of extra learning and practicing in your spare-time.

Courses 'inbetween' several skills are usually aimed for a manager function. A team leader who can communicate with all parties, manage the whole project and keep it going.

Sure it's enough to get you busy in game industry. It depends on how badly you want to be in there. If you really do, then you'll automatically do more than what the course offers, and gain experience on much more areas. And you'll hang to the side that you'll like most eventually. Usually the first year of a college course is orientation, see what you like most and give you basic knowledge on all areas. In second year and higher you may go specifically into one direction to learn what you like most.

On my school it's mainly Java that is teached. Well, I really don't like Java at all, and teached myself C/C++ (And I got support from school, e.g. they gave studypoints to my project).
At least I now know what I like and what I don't like .

Getting a Bsc(Honors) in Computer Games Design isn't a bad idea, but it's obviously no guarantee for success in the industry at all. In fact, mostly it doesn't work like that at all. There have been many complaints from the industry that many of these courses don't teach the necessary skills needed at all.

Personally, I think specializing is actually the best thing to do, as that's what's needed more and more in the industry. Games are becoming so complex that you need to be able to work in teams and do very specific (programming) jobs. Frank is right though, getting into the designing part of the industry is probably even more difficult,

Cheers

Thats one reason why i started modeling and level design now, so i can try and gain some experience in the field i am most interested in, as i am a fairly good programmer in most langauges (and can pick new ones up quickly), yet i am not very interested in programming and find it partly boring, i would rather do modeling or level design.

The course also teaches some stuff using Motion Capture and some thing where it scans the item and creates a 3d model.
Thanks for the reply's.

If you want to go the modeling and level design route then go to the websites of 3dtotal and cgtalk and look what game artists do there. Now you only have to reach this quality. But be warned: It will take you a few years. But first lay down your 3d modeler and pick up a pencil. You will learn much more about lighting, shading and anatomy if you create your own drawings first. Then you can apply all this to the 3d world.

Your competition are women and men who started to draw in their childhood. They do it with passion, they did sketches in every book at every sheet of paper available at almost every time.
So competition is tough in this area. My suggestion is to practice every day to catch up with them.

What's important is that you develop your own style of making 3D things. Companies aren't looking for the 1 millionth person who can model a Ferrari or BMW.

Character modeling, a unique style, excellent skin painting and so on those are things that count nowadays.

Catching up with the competition will be very tough, on the other hand CgTalk gives a good impression on how good you have to be to get noticed and hired. Plenty of people from the industry show their work over there,

Cheers

After everything i have heard it sounds as though doing this course won't get me a job in the games industry at all, and not teach me much about modeling.

Am i right about that ?

Yes basically you're right... It won't hurt following such a course, but there are no guarantees,

Cheers

Yer, i have just read about some job's in the game design industry (as game designers and/or character modelers) and the main thing they look for is a good portfolio, so that is my plan during this course i will try and make a very large and very good portfolio and try and complete more than one game before the course is done.

Yes. This is a good approach. You need a portfolio and very often you even need finished projects to show. Sometimes you even need to show commercial projects. This depends on the job you are applying.

Yup, Frank is right, there are quite a few job positions that demand a '5 years of experience in the industry' kind of thing.

Creating an impressive portfolio is definitely the best idea,

Cheers

That's what i thought, and this course should teach me enough to make a good portfolio. Most places i have looked at (EA, Activision, etc.) do not look at grades, just portfolio and experience which i am hoping to gain/create during my course.

Thanks for the comments so far, any more feel free to post.

I guess all that remains to say is; Good luck!

Cheers