Ok I am currently in college in my first year. I want to go into game development but im confused with my major choices. Would Computer Science be enough or would I have to go to a school that has game programming as a major? How is the field and job availability overall?
How is the Game Development field?
January 10, 2014 08:08 PM
So I can still go into game development just with a computer science degree?
-395
January 10, 2014 09:30 PM
Ok I am currently in college in my first year. I want to go into game development but im confused with my major choices. Would Computer Science be enough or would I have to go to a school that has game programming as a major? How is the field and job availability overall?
I read article on this site and agree with it. Except you want to be confined and limited to games, go for computer science.
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January 10, 2014 09:43 PM
Here's a link to the article Nathan2222 mentioned.
One of the things he says is that a strong portfolio weighs more than a degree. And I think he's right. If all you have is a piece of paper that says, "I did the work for this piece of paper." That's great. So did lots of other people. Have you done anything cool? Show me...
Tom Sloper is a member/moderator here at gamedev. On his website he has a big list of FAQ's that people interested in joining "the biz" should read.
http://www.sloperama.com/advice.html
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-395
January 10, 2014 09:51 PM
That's the one. Learning computer science enables you to do more than just make games. Computers are everywhere these days.Here's a link to the article Nathan2222 mentioned.
http://www.gamedev.net/page/resources/_/gamedev-net-soapbox/why-a-degree-in-game-design-is-a-bad-idea-r3527
One of the things he says is that a strong portfolio weighs more than a degree. And I think he's right. If all you have is a piece of paper that says, "I did the work for this piece of paper." That's great. So did lots of other people. Have you done anything cool? Show me...
Tom Sloper is a member/moderator here at gamedev. On his website he has a big list of FAQ's that people interested in joining "the biz" should read.
http://www.sloperama.com/advice.html
- Eck
UNREAL ENGINE 4:
Total LOC: ~3M Lines
Total Languages: ~32
--
GREAT QUOTES:
I can do ALL things through Christ - Jesus Christ
--
Logic will get you from A-Z, imagination gets you everywhere - Albert Einstein
--
The problems of the world cannot be solved by skeptics or cynics whose horizons are limited by the obvious realities. - John F. Kennedy
January 11, 2014 11:03 PM
1. Would Computer Science be enough
2. or would I have to go to a school that has game programming as a major?
3. How is the field and job availability overall?
Hi, Anthony. I didn't see your post at first because it was in the wrong forum. I've moved it now to the right place.
1. No, it's not enough. Nothing is enough. Frequently Asked Question #49. http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson49.htm
2. No, you don't "have to" have a game degree. You need a degree and a portfolio. You teach yourself more after graduation and make a portfolio, you network and make contacts. No degree is a guarantee of a job. FAQ 77. http://sloperama.com/advice/m77.htm
3. It's not easy to get in, and it's not necessarily easy to stay in, either. It's very interesting work, lots of ups and downs.
-- Tom Sloper -- sloperama.com
January 12, 2014 12:13 AM
If I was looking at resumes for an entry level job, my order of preference would be:
1) CompSci + portfolio of games made in their spare time.
2) Games college + portfolio of games made in their spare time.
3) Portfolio of games made in their spare time.
4) CompSci + Games College, no portfolio.
5) CompSci, no portfolio
6) Games college, no portfolio
i.e. CompSci is the best course for a programming career, but you also need to be making games in your spare time to build up experience the whole way through your education.
1) CompSci + portfolio of games made in their spare time.
2) Games college + portfolio of games made in their spare time.
3) Portfolio of games made in their spare time.
4) CompSci + Games College, no portfolio.
5) CompSci, no portfolio
6) Games college, no portfolio
i.e. CompSci is the best course for a programming career, but you also need to be making games in your spare time to build up experience the whole way through your education.
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January 17, 2014 09:13 PM
I've been reviewing a lot of CVs and interviewing people recently (for senior engine programming posts) but if I were reviewing for entry level jobs my order of preference would also be 100% with what Hodgman said.
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