Studying computer game technology

[Whatevermancer]

I'm late, but I want to add to the people saying "Don't get a degree."

I never got a degree, thus never went pro, and my games don't meet the standard for shit tier flash games. So if you want to accuse me of sour grapes, I understand.

But despite all that, the guys I know who got game development degrees didn't fare better, and arguably fared worse. They got degrees, then waited for a phone call from Gaben or Miyamoto. They got a part time job to pay the bills while they waited for that call that never came. I imagine they're the same guys on game development forums complaining how this or that tool or language isn't "professional".

Another thing. Don't expect to be "the ideas guy" or "the designer". Everyone has ideas, and no one is going to make your game for you.

What exactly did those guys study? Cause if they studied programming, it would be silly not to get a full-time programming job, while they wait for an open position in the video game industry.

 

[Judge Dredd]

In real life it was specific game design courses with names like "Computer Games Design" and "Computer Games Art and Programming" at local universities.

On the internet I'd see people brag about going to Digipen, which is the US university the Portal guys came from.

There was a guy who went to Brigham Young University. I don't know if the degree was game design specifically, but he made games at university as part of his course and hasn't made a game since.

 

[jimsterlingspronoun]

the most important thing on your cv is not your technical skill but your pronoun

 

[William Tell Underpass]

If you insist on going to university for game design literally anything these days, make sure you do one that has an internship or work experience program.

If you aren't total shit to work with and show signs of intelligence it is as good as them finding you a job half way through the course.

Ivy league schools / Leading in your field schools (Assuming you are not a diversity pick), are okay because of the connections you make will get you the job from your lab partners dad who owns Exon-Mobil or some shit.

Mid tier universities are are the dumping ground for parents who will pay 150k to get their entitled kid out of their house so they can fuck on the dining room table.

Community college, only if they can get you good industry placements.

Trade school is probably the smart move, they can't outsource their plumber to India to lay pipes that crash a cost/benefit calculated number planes like they do with programmers.