Have seriously considered going to video game design school? Specifically a school like SCAD (Savannah College of Art & Design) or Drexel University that offer trade-specific degrees.
Myself? I've thought of it, and it'd be really cool to do if it really would get you a leg up in the industry. The main problem, however, is those colleges (by and large) are super expensive and the gaming industry is VERY competitive. Most jobs that I've seen on the Zenimax Studios website (this includes jobs for id and Bethesda Softworks) often will want someone who's had a published title.
There are tutorials on how to publish your own game, so I'm sure with dedication and resourcefulness you could probably do that. So, does it seem worth it to you to spend the kind of money to get a cool degree that certifies you to make great games (assuming they do)?
You think the only people who are people, are the people who look and think like you.
But if you walk the footsteps of a stranger,
You'll learn things you never knew, you never knew.
I've considered it, but unfortunately, transportation and money are issues that I would have to worry about. If I had the money for it, I would drive or just move and go. Unfortunately, I don't have a car or a job, so it isn't really an option for me at this point in my life. Perhaps some time in the future...
Disclaimer: Personal opinions are not endorsed by Ryojin.
Turning your hobby into your job is often a bad idea. Particularly in this case; the game development industry is impossibly competitive, and its employees are overworked, underpaid and have little job security unless working for a major development studio (and even then there are few guarantees). The amount of people who've dropped out of the industry altogether because they can't take the stress and the bullshit anymore is monumental, and there have even been suicides. The only developers that people tend to enjoy working for and tend to be fairly safe - Valve, for example - are ridiculously selective, and even more competitive because everybody wants to work there.
If you do decide to do it, your best bet is to take the route that Notch did with Mojang and Minecraft - go it alone. Very dangerous, of course, because if you don't have a totally awesome idea, with great marketing and tidy programming, you'll fail almost instantly. But if you do it right, like Notch did, you'll be able to craft your very own coat made out of money, and won't have publishers breathing down your neck.
I agree with Mr.Matt. Game development isn't such a nice job if you look at the working conditions.
Also, I'm not sure how well a school is suited for this kind of job. Most of the people in the industry are probably self-taught, so they will care more about results than about degrees.
There are free programming courses everywhere. Working on mods may also provide valuable hands on experience. In my opinion a better choice than a video game school would be studying something like IT or IT mixed with business administration while learning the parts relevant to video game development yourself. That way you don't narrow the number of available jobs down too much and also get some extra skills which video game devs may be looking for.
It's worth looking at other degrees as well. I chose Computer Science because while I would be happy programming games I would be happy elsewhere as well. Since Computer Science offers all around better job opportunities I chose that.
What I learn is similar to what a game design student learns. Their math and programming classes are both watered down a bit at my school. Which makes me wonder what they're really learning that's going to give them an edge in game design. When you apply for a job they're not going to hire you based on some great idea alone. It will be because you have marketable skills and can collaborate.
I agree with Mr.Matt. Game development isn't such a nice job if you look at the working conditions.
That's going to entirely depend where you're working.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrFancyPants
Also, I'm not sure how well a school is suited for this kind of job. Most of the people in the industry are probably self-taught, so they will care more about results than about degrees.
I think that's a bit of a misconception. It used to be more true of software that you didn't need an education, because everyone was a pioneer. While you can still become a great programmer without a degree it's much easier to go to college. It means you know something from the start and your resume wont' get thrown out wherever you apply to. At least so I am told!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Matt
If you do decide to do it, your best bet is to take the route that Notch did with Mojang and Minecraft - go it alone.
And the best way to get rich is to buy lottery tickets. There's nothing wrong with making indie games for the experience. But it's a terrible way to make money.
Last edited by The-Bleh-Bleh; February 5th, 2013 at 07:40 AM.
Reason: clarity
It's only terrible if you don't have a breakout success. That's why it's a dangerous career to choose; your chances of getting the aforementioned coat made out of money are slim at best.
I have thought about it many times. I remember when I was a kid that's what I wanted to grow up to do. In the end I decided no. I would have to move, which is something I'd rather not do. But the main thing is I fear I would lose my love for Video Games.
That's going to entirely depend where you're working.
There may be differences between companies, but since you can't know which company you'll end up working for it is probably best to take the average or start with the low end. And in that area job security, stress and pay are not that great, from what I have heard. If you love the job that doesn't matter, but it is probably better to know about the ugly parts before deciding to spend a large chunk of your life learning about game design.
Quote:
I think that's a bit of a misconception. It used to be more true of software that you didn't need an education, because everyone was a pioneer. While you can still become a great programmer without a degree it's much easier to go to college. It means you know something from the start and your resume wont' get thrown out wherever you apply to. At least so I am told!
I agree that a college education is a good thing to get, but I'm not sure if studying video game design is a good choice. Even if you end up working in that industry and even if you like it you might still be better off with a different kind of degree.
The problem the game design industry currently is that Indie games are really trending, and with the state of the industry, I couldn't see a game developer hiring anyone who only went to school for a degree in game design. It would be a better business decision to hire people that have already made their mark on the industry, whether it's with another company, or with the release of an indie game. Of course, if you made a really big mark on the industry with an indie release, then there'd be no reason to even search for a job with a bigger entity.
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