Gaming Colleges
by Zachary Fyffe · in Jobs · 03/23/2005 (4:56 pm) · 25 replies
I am interested in going into the gaming industry and would like to know are there any good colleges you guys could give me the name of ?
#22
Brown College in Minnesota
http://www.browncollege.edu/programs/game.asp
At Brown College, we use TGB and TGE as 2 of the game engines that we teach from, using Unreal as yet another. This is a Bachelor of Science program with a mix of art, design, and programming.
Also, most of the instuctors at Brown have actual game industry experience and still have strong ties with that industry.
10/21/2006 (7:32 pm)
Since there is a topic, I'll plug the school that I teach at:Brown College in Minnesota
http://www.browncollege.edu/programs/game.asp
At Brown College, we use TGB and TGE as 2 of the game engines that we teach from, using Unreal as yet another. This is a Bachelor of Science program with a mix of art, design, and programming.
Also, most of the instuctors at Brown have actual game industry experience and still have strong ties with that industry.
#23
I've been attending Devry University's online college for three semesters now. I like the format and I do like what I've seen so far but in looking at this thread there's a lot more colleges than I was aware of that teach the subject (it wasn't easy to do decent searches on my old computer when I enrolled and the only places I could find where repeated over and over again).
I'm curious though if Devry will provide me with the best education (online) for this field that I can get. I'm not a big fan of FPS games, but I am a gamer who playes MMO's and I *love* RPGs. I would love to be able work in game design in either of these areas either as a creator or programmer. I'm not real into the graphic side of things, that's always been my husband's specialty - mine has been programming and creative things (writing, crafts, etc.). I like that Devry is accredited, I am however limited to online programs only - I live in a small town outside of Houston and my husband and I don't have a second car for me to attend classes with. I'm also disabled (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - collagen disorder that causes my joints to dislocate easily) and find that the ability to take a break or do whatever I need to much easier with an online program of study, vs. the more "traditional" programs of study (music for my ADHD and go rest on a heating pad for my joints, etc). I have attended the Art Institute of Houston once before and while I liked their push for top quality work, I have to admit I'm not a fan of the Art Institute Schools. I could give a very long explaination as to why - but to save you the long story and stress on my end reliving it as I type it - lets just say I have absolutely *no* desire to attend their colleges, online included. What drew me to the Devry program however was their instruction in not only Game programming but also in Simulation and AI as well as MMO's, visual and audio design and career skills - "motivation and leadership" classes, professional writing, public speaking and project management classes too. I haven't worked in ten years so starting a career is a little nerve wracking. I just wanted to ask since there seem to be some other colleges teaching game developer programs online as well - will my education at Devry be as good as what other's out there can teach? I noticed all colleges say that they will get you a job in the industry, but seeing that I'm already 33, the Devry program will take until 2010/2011 to graduate. Based on the classes it seems fair, but should I be looking elsewhere that teaches the same stuff but perhaps in shorter time? Learning hasn't been a problem - I've been holding a steady 4.0 GPA admist a variety of classes, including the Community College classes I transfered in with (and I do feel as well that I will get out of it what I put into it, which is why I put 110% into everything I do, in fairness to myself and my husband though I feel I should at least ask the question :D). I've always wanted to work in this industry and my husband and I are tired of living paycheck to paycheck, I'm not looking to make a lot of money, just enough to support our desire to adopt and have a family of our own in a house of our own (and our preference is to get out of Texas).
Anyways I appreciate any input you might have. I'm hoping that providing some background of what I'm looking to do and where my strengths and weaknesses are might help offer some advice :). I just want to be sure I'm getting the best education that I can.
(I apologize for the rush of this note, and between a new neighbor moving in next door and the construction on our street (and car alarms going off like crazy - is it a full moon or something???) my puppy has "barked" me into a headache and while I'd rather post this after it's been spellchecked and adjusted for grammar, I'd prefer to spend that time on a quest for excedrin).
- Leigh
02/23/2008 (3:58 pm)
I know this thread hasn't been active in a few months so you'll have to excuse me for re-activating it as I'm new to this website. I've been attending Devry University's online college for three semesters now. I like the format and I do like what I've seen so far but in looking at this thread there's a lot more colleges than I was aware of that teach the subject (it wasn't easy to do decent searches on my old computer when I enrolled and the only places I could find where repeated over and over again).
I'm curious though if Devry will provide me with the best education (online) for this field that I can get. I'm not a big fan of FPS games, but I am a gamer who playes MMO's and I *love* RPGs. I would love to be able work in game design in either of these areas either as a creator or programmer. I'm not real into the graphic side of things, that's always been my husband's specialty - mine has been programming and creative things (writing, crafts, etc.). I like that Devry is accredited, I am however limited to online programs only - I live in a small town outside of Houston and my husband and I don't have a second car for me to attend classes with. I'm also disabled (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - collagen disorder that causes my joints to dislocate easily) and find that the ability to take a break or do whatever I need to much easier with an online program of study, vs. the more "traditional" programs of study (music for my ADHD and go rest on a heating pad for my joints, etc). I have attended the Art Institute of Houston once before and while I liked their push for top quality work, I have to admit I'm not a fan of the Art Institute Schools. I could give a very long explaination as to why - but to save you the long story and stress on my end reliving it as I type it - lets just say I have absolutely *no* desire to attend their colleges, online included. What drew me to the Devry program however was their instruction in not only Game programming but also in Simulation and AI as well as MMO's, visual and audio design and career skills - "motivation and leadership" classes, professional writing, public speaking and project management classes too. I haven't worked in ten years so starting a career is a little nerve wracking. I just wanted to ask since there seem to be some other colleges teaching game developer programs online as well - will my education at Devry be as good as what other's out there can teach? I noticed all colleges say that they will get you a job in the industry, but seeing that I'm already 33, the Devry program will take until 2010/2011 to graduate. Based on the classes it seems fair, but should I be looking elsewhere that teaches the same stuff but perhaps in shorter time? Learning hasn't been a problem - I've been holding a steady 4.0 GPA admist a variety of classes, including the Community College classes I transfered in with (and I do feel as well that I will get out of it what I put into it, which is why I put 110% into everything I do, in fairness to myself and my husband though I feel I should at least ask the question :D). I've always wanted to work in this industry and my husband and I are tired of living paycheck to paycheck, I'm not looking to make a lot of money, just enough to support our desire to adopt and have a family of our own in a house of our own (and our preference is to get out of Texas).
Anyways I appreciate any input you might have. I'm hoping that providing some background of what I'm looking to do and where my strengths and weaknesses are might help offer some advice :). I just want to be sure I'm getting the best education that I can.
(I apologize for the rush of this note, and between a new neighbor moving in next door and the construction on our street (and car alarms going off like crazy - is it a full moon or something???) my puppy has "barked" me into a headache and while I'd rather post this after it's been spellchecked and adjusted for grammar, I'd prefer to spend that time on a quest for excedrin).
- Leigh
#24
Do you think that spending 3 months with the guy that made an atari game in 1983 is worth $10k of your cash ? The industry changes fast and professors that worked on atari and nintendo64 just do not cut it.
Again, research the professors.
05/13/2008 (4:24 pm)
I would implore anyone looking into a game-college-curriculum to research the backgrounds of the course professors. Some college "teachers" worked on 1 game in the 80's and barely made a profit.Do you think that spending 3 months with the guy that made an atari game in 1983 is worth $10k of your cash ? The industry changes fast and professors that worked on atari and nintendo64 just do not cut it.
Again, research the professors.
#25
Article at Game Career Guide (Quote Below)
Please refer to the portfolio of Brian after reading the above link. Brain Nathanson's Portfolio
//==================================
Sounds like Brain Nathanson has a bit of frustration on his plate.
Concerning his quote about SMU-Guildhall...Paul Jaquays(his game credits list needs updating) is a teacher there. Paul is a very nice person as well...he frequents a level designer site at which I administrate and I am not sure that anyone can find a more experienced teacher in this field.
Guildhall student Games: http://guildhall.smu.edu/Student-Work.5.0.html
Once again, please be aware of who really wants to teach you to succeed and who merely wants your cash for a diploma that is only as valuable as the cotton on which it is printed.
05/21/2008 (6:38 pm)
I felt this was important enough to take to make another post.Article at Game Career Guide (Quote Below)
Quote:The Guildhall at SMU may be the only demonstrably successful game education initiative, as it is primarily run by industry veterans. The same cannot be said for most competing non-university schools. There should be more pressure from the game industry to create Guildhall-style schools at major universities across the country.
Please refer to the portfolio of Brian after reading the above link. Brain Nathanson's Portfolio
//==================================
Sounds like Brain Nathanson has a bit of frustration on his plate.
Concerning his quote about SMU-Guildhall...Paul Jaquays(his game credits list needs updating) is a teacher there. Paul is a very nice person as well...he frequents a level designer site at which I administrate and I am not sure that anyone can find a more experienced teacher in this field.
Guildhall student Games: http://guildhall.smu.edu/Student-Work.5.0.html
Once again, please be aware of who really wants to teach you to succeed and who merely wants your cash for a diploma that is only as valuable as the cotton on which it is printed.
Torque Owner Bobby Leighton
Imagn' Games