Game Development College
by Dexter Chow · in Torque in Education · 07/20/2012 (12:50 pm) · 3 replies
I chat often with students in game programs. Of course their number one concern is getting a job. In general, I support and believe game education is a great area to major in when choosing a college curriculum. I want to throw out for discussion some concerns I have heard from students and parents.
1. Cost: with almost all the game programs in private colleges, the costs are very high.
2. There are many stories out there of successful indies with no formal education in games.
3. It takes too long to get a degree and you are better off learning on your own.
My comments:
On #1, the costs are extremely high for private schools, and even high in public schools. I think if you can't afford it, getting a traditional degree in computer science, english or art may save some money and you can learn everything game related as a hobbyist.
On #2, like Bill Gates, there will always be exceptional stories of people dropping out of college and hitting it big. This is a personal decision. Working in education I saw many benefits from getting a college degree and personally have seen dozens of success stories. Of course not everybody succeeds, but I do believe a college degree increases the chance for success and a game development degree adds even more chance for success.
On #3, if you are going to school anyway, you have a chance to realize your dream job as well as get an education.
Thoughts?
1. Cost: with almost all the game programs in private colleges, the costs are very high.
2. There are many stories out there of successful indies with no formal education in games.
3. It takes too long to get a degree and you are better off learning on your own.
My comments:
On #1, the costs are extremely high for private schools, and even high in public schools. I think if you can't afford it, getting a traditional degree in computer science, english or art may save some money and you can learn everything game related as a hobbyist.
On #2, like Bill Gates, there will always be exceptional stories of people dropping out of college and hitting it big. This is a personal decision. Working in education I saw many benefits from getting a college degree and personally have seen dozens of success stories. Of course not everybody succeeds, but I do believe a college degree increases the chance for success and a game development degree adds even more chance for success.
On #3, if you are going to school anyway, you have a chance to realize your dream job as well as get an education.
Thoughts?
About the author
Designer, Producer and Business Development Manager
#2
07/22/2012 (1:25 pm)
Ops wrong thread... Sorry.
#3
The networking opportunities are real and effective.
07/23/2012 (9:11 am)
Ultimately, I am a big supporter of going into game programs. Many students may not know enough about the the job or themselves to be able to do well in game development. College is a great place to find out; your first job is not a great place to find out.The networking opportunities are real and effective.
Torque 3D Owner Greg M
DERP Studio
The classes are intense and it takes an amazing amount of time to complete assignments in the time allotted. You have to be very organized and have good time management skills in order to keep up with the pace.
I don't think this route is for everyone as well as the online program is not for everyone. You don't get the face to face student - teacher relationship but technology has made it as close as it can get with video chat and other interactive tools.
The school is very expensive and does take a lot of time but I felt that this was the way for me to properly learn how to do things. A strong foundation of the basics can take you far. I have often learned things on my own but always had questions that the answers were not readily available for. School allows me to have a pool of information at my disposal for those odd inquiries. It also offers approaches that I might not have considered or even thought of. Learning multiple ways to do things and remaining open to new ideas can also open your possibilities.
School has also allowed me to increase my networking and is building up my list of connections in the industry past, current, and future leaders.
I am a bit of an introvert so this has made a big difference for me. Some people don't have the issues I do with meeting people and networking but you never know who might be a future colleague or employer.
Just my two cents and a little from my current perspective as a student and a developer and budding modeler.
Greg M.