Gras School for Game Developers
by Anthony Rosenbaum · in General Discussion · 07/05/2002 (7:55 am) · 11 replies
Graduate School for Game Developers
Hello all, I am writing this post because I am a college graduate, who has spent the past 2 years learning the game development field. I have a degree in Art History, but have found myself more interested in 3d arts and animation with a growing interest in scripting and programming.
I am currently building a game but presently am getting frusterated with the industry. I have applied to many "up and comming" game studios but have not even gotten a reply letter from any company. So I am starting to look at schools again. Maybe with a masters I will be looked at more seriously.
Problem is most graduate programs in the arts are unwilling to accept digital arts as medium. As far as graduated programs in computer science I don't believe my programming experience would be at the same level as someone with B.A. in CS. I guess I would like a program that would train 3d artist and animators. The only local thing in my town for that is at the local Vocational school. Well I visited them too, but they are so concerned with teaching the "basics" of the new standards "Flash/Max/Director/Photoshop/etc" that they didn't do anything on a more experienced level, not to mention their cost for a 24 month program was almost as much as my out-of-state tuition for my whole undergraduate degree.
So why am I here telling all of you. Well I was hoping YOU could point me in the direction that I haven't thought of. Do you know of a school that is on the cutting edge of 3d graphics? If so please post. I'm sure there are many others like me who just don't know where to look.
Thanks for your time.
Hello all, I am writing this post because I am a college graduate, who has spent the past 2 years learning the game development field. I have a degree in Art History, but have found myself more interested in 3d arts and animation with a growing interest in scripting and programming.
I am currently building a game but presently am getting frusterated with the industry. I have applied to many "up and comming" game studios but have not even gotten a reply letter from any company. So I am starting to look at schools again. Maybe with a masters I will be looked at more seriously.
Problem is most graduate programs in the arts are unwilling to accept digital arts as medium. As far as graduated programs in computer science I don't believe my programming experience would be at the same level as someone with B.A. in CS. I guess I would like a program that would train 3d artist and animators. The only local thing in my town for that is at the local Vocational school. Well I visited them too, but they are so concerned with teaching the "basics" of the new standards "Flash/Max/Director/Photoshop/etc" that they didn't do anything on a more experienced level, not to mention their cost for a 24 month program was almost as much as my out-of-state tuition for my whole undergraduate degree.
So why am I here telling all of you. Well I was hoping YOU could point me in the direction that I haven't thought of. Do you know of a school that is on the cutting edge of 3d graphics? If so please post. I'm sure there are many others like me who just don't know where to look.
Thanks for your time.
About the author
#2
As for the school thing I don't know of any graduate schools for what you want to learn. Most schools now teach a couple classes in 3d graphic design.
Digipen has a pretty good program.
Hope this helps.
07/05/2002 (9:55 am)
If you don't already know the 3D packages such as Max, Milkshape, and Maya I'd suggest you pick up Milkshape (it's cheap compared to the others) and just start learning that. Learn the packages and become the best damn modeler you can be. Since it seems from your post that you don't really know these (correct me if I'm wrong) then the reason no one is even talking to you is that you just don't have the skills or the proper portfolio.As for the school thing I don't know of any graduate schools for what you want to learn. Most schools now teach a couple classes in 3d graphic design.
Digipen has a pretty good program.
Hope this helps.
#4
07/07/2002 (3:30 pm)
L., if you looked at Anthony's profile you would have known that he is apparently a very experienced 3D Artist. I think he meant he just wants to take a course that's actually challenging for him.
#5
07/07/2002 (7:08 pm)
like dave said DigiPen is good, but its nothing compared to www.fullsail.com
#6
I think it's too early to tell if those schools actually are good for what they say they are, because a well-rounded education and some industry contacts and hobby efforts seem to be the most common response I get from people in the industry I ask to about this.
Who has a better chance of fitting into a company's structure, a person trained to fit into one and only one area, or someone with the ability to adapt?
Anyway, the costs for both schools are so high for what hasn't been proven as a worthwhile investment. Sure, they both have a few graduates who went on to decent success but what school hasn't?
There are a lot of technical and art schools around the country, with Digipen and Full Sail toting themselves as the only ones based around games. Of course, I'd reccommend finding out what they plan on doing for you first because I know many people who end up going to those schools based on the fact that they think they'll be in the games industry directly after graduation... but end up giving up.
Digipen is proud of this fact.
Have you tried asking the companies where you have been applying to? I know most game developers who don't work for the massive companies working on well-known games (even some who are) can be really friendly to an email out of the blue or even the occasional phone call. I'm sure you can get a response from some of these artists, and I'm sure they'll be able to give you the information you need firsthand. Afterall, who knows this better than the people you want to be like?
Good luck, and don't give up.
PS - If you're not getting a response at all, make sure you have submitted all they request from the applicants. Whether it be a portfolio, coverletter or references.
Or just call them back, because that's gotta be a sign of some problem.
07/07/2002 (9:48 pm)
Digipen and Full Sail are good? I personally wouldn't want to work alongside someone who never took anything but math and programming courses. I feel like I learn more from my non-math/programming courses that apply to communication and group mechanics. For art though, I haven't really spoken with many of their art students so I don't know what to say about it. Only thing I've heard from one is that "it's a good school". He didn't say much else about Digipen.I think it's too early to tell if those schools actually are good for what they say they are, because a well-rounded education and some industry contacts and hobby efforts seem to be the most common response I get from people in the industry I ask to about this.
Who has a better chance of fitting into a company's structure, a person trained to fit into one and only one area, or someone with the ability to adapt?
Anyway, the costs for both schools are so high for what hasn't been proven as a worthwhile investment. Sure, they both have a few graduates who went on to decent success but what school hasn't?
There are a lot of technical and art schools around the country, with Digipen and Full Sail toting themselves as the only ones based around games. Of course, I'd reccommend finding out what they plan on doing for you first because I know many people who end up going to those schools based on the fact that they think they'll be in the games industry directly after graduation... but end up giving up.
Digipen is proud of this fact.
Have you tried asking the companies where you have been applying to? I know most game developers who don't work for the massive companies working on well-known games (even some who are) can be really friendly to an email out of the blue or even the occasional phone call. I'm sure you can get a response from some of these artists, and I'm sure they'll be able to give you the information you need firsthand. Afterall, who knows this better than the people you want to be like?
Good luck, and don't give up.
PS - If you're not getting a response at all, make sure you have submitted all they request from the applicants. Whether it be a portfolio, coverletter or references.
Or just call them back, because that's gotta be a sign of some problem.
#7
hey, you must be talking to the wrong people or something! Almost ALL of the game creation companys I know are always looking for great 3D modelers. You have to know your stuff though.. and having a bunch of working models created in Max won't hurt a bit either. In fact Matt Hooper of "Third Law interactive" is looking for a level designer even now. And I know they want some new modelers to help with their new project. Talk to him... They use the "Lithtec Engine" and made a game called "KISS"... if you know how to use D-Edit or WDL, all the better! ;) Here is the link to there site.
http://www.thirdlaw.com/
Look under the Jobs page~ (Hint, always check the licensees page of an engine site if you are just looking for work!)
Good luck
Here is a link to the licensees page at lithtec~
http://www.lithtech.com/licensees/
always,
Eagle~
07/07/2002 (10:55 pm)
hi Anthony,hey, you must be talking to the wrong people or something! Almost ALL of the game creation companys I know are always looking for great 3D modelers. You have to know your stuff though.. and having a bunch of working models created in Max won't hurt a bit either. In fact Matt Hooper of "Third Law interactive" is looking for a level designer even now. And I know they want some new modelers to help with their new project. Talk to him... They use the "Lithtec Engine" and made a game called "KISS"... if you know how to use D-Edit or WDL, all the better! ;) Here is the link to there site.
http://www.thirdlaw.com/
Look under the Jobs page~ (Hint, always check the licensees page of an engine site if you are just looking for work!)
Good luck
Here is a link to the licensees page at lithtec~
http://www.lithtech.com/licensees/
always,
Eagle~
#8
Just thought I'd mention them since Anthony asked about schools.
07/08/2002 (2:11 pm)
Digipen's art program is pretty good. I know a few artists that have/are attending the program (2yrs only) and they all do some kickass art. That may just all be their talent and not Digipen's help, who knows. They did have to have a pretty good portfolio prior to joining the art program(at least they use too). And they are way expensive. The programming and art programs are a pretty seperate thing Digipen.Just thought I'd mention them since Anthony asked about schools.
#9
07/09/2002 (7:36 am)
Digipen is an A.A. degree, IGDA dosen't have a school program (that I can find, that link isn't working), and Eagle I will apply to "Third Law Interactive". My purpose for education is push the medium farther. To use it as an art form, I already know how to use most of the major packages. I want a job or more schooling, as long as I get to play with 3d graphics I'll be happy either way.
#10
07/09/2002 (7:56 am)
to reply to matt's comment, I agree, its important to get a real education in an acceptable field, but it doesnt hurt to also get specialized experience in gaming and 3d art.... I would strongly recomend full sail in Orlando Florida, not because I think it has the best 3d art program in the world, but because it is just down the street from the University of Central Florida, which has one of the top 5 CS programs in the nation (I asume anyone who wants to work in games probably wants to be a pretty good programmer as well as artist). I'm going to start my first year at UCF in the fall, and am planning on also getting the 2 year fullsail degree in videogames along with getting my real 4 year degree in computer science at UCF...... I'd say if you have the time, go for both!
#11
LOL Third Law interactive must be gone, cause my emails keep getting sent back and their phone isn't working either :-( oh well
07/09/2002 (8:14 am)
Full Sail is and A.A. program too, not to knock it (because I am getting information sent) but I find most schools that offer A.A. programs in 3d graphics do not teach anything more than the "How-to" books you can get at the local Barnes and Nobel. Not to mention $50.00 for a book is much more afforadble than spending $25,000 for tuition only to learn a 1/2 year's worth of new material.LOL Third Law interactive must be gone, cause my emails keep getting sent back and their phone isn't working either :-( oh well
Associate Logan Foster
perPixel Studios
Education and knowledge will get you so far with opening doors but it is not a guarentee for immediate success. There is a lot of additional hard work that is required for you to continue to develop your skills and make contacts to ensure that you can get the job that you want.
Logan