Opinions on the best Games Design Course

SayWhaa? · 10-02-2009, 11:37 AM

Hello fellow GameCareerGuide members.

My ambition in life is to be a Games Producer, but after doing extensive research online, I have concluded that the best course of action for me to take would be to attain a degree in Games Design.

I am currently a Student in the UK, wishing to study in the United States (My reasons are personal).

So I'm appealing on behalf of the forum members to enlighten me on their knowledge or advise on what University I should attend to that will give me a good degree as well as a high chance of breaking into the industry.

I would like to attain Bachelors Degree in the Games Design field.

Location of the University won't be a problem.

Best

Adrir · 10-03-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SayWhaa?

My ambition in life is to be a Games Producer, but after doing extensive research online, I have concluded that the best course of action for me to take would be to attain a degree in Games Design.

As opposed to a degree in management or production?

By all means, study games design if that is what you are interested in. I'm not sure how the skills you develop on such a course will transfer across to a production role though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SayWhaa?

So I'm appealing on behalf of the forum members to enlighten me on their knowledge or advise on what University I should attend to that will give me a good degree as well as a high chance of breaking into the industry.

Start at the UCAS Course Search.

Be careful and do your research. As far as I am aware, game design degrees in the UK are a bit of a mixed bag. There are some good courses and there are some bad ones. Currently there is no official accreditation for such degree, although Skillset are considering to start providing accreditation for these courses. Furthermore, beware of design courses that don't actually teach design or are simply far too broad.

cjwilkinson · 10-23-2009, 07:35 AM

As Adrir says above formal qualification may not transfer well to a career in games production. But if you think it will help you progress there are plenty of courses available (a quick google search brings up www.dmu.ac.uk/ (normal university) and http://designer.train2game.com (distance learning)) - I can't vouch for the relevance of these courses.

The most important thing for getting into games design is developing your design portfolio, so you should make sure that any course is designed to build up your portfolio while you study to make the most of your time.

maria555 · 11-06-2009, 12:42 AM

See If you are seriously interested in gaming career then I will suggest you to take a certain course for moving ahead because a degree or diploma will always help you to get better job.

ndimucci · 11-09-2009, 07:49 AM

Major in ANYTHING BUT game design or any game related field at the undergraduate level. I would then specialize at the graduate level.

Game degrees by themselves are the most dangerous and useless degrees in the world. Average game developer lasts only 5-6 years in the industry. Don't back yourself into a corner later in life if and when you need to change careers.

rkurata · 11-14-2009, 11:39 AM

Yes, I would also like to know what are the best gaming courses. Are these courses usefull?

ndimucci · 11-15-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkurata

Yes, I would also like to know what are the best gaming courses. Are these courses usefull?

That depends entirely on you and what you take from them. What are the "best" also depends on what you want to do. Taking gameplay programming 101 won't benefit you much if you plan to be a game designer.

Gshonk · 11-15-2009, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndimucci

Taking gameplay programming 101 won't benefit you much if you plan to be a game designer.

Well I disagree with this statement, but I see what you mean.

ndimucci · 11-15-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gshonk

Well I disagree with this statement, but I see what you mean.

Just curious how gameplay programming would benefit a non-indie designer?

Adrir · 11-15-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndimucci

Just curious how gameplay programming would benefit a non-indie designer?

Just a guess...

It might have something to with designers making unreasonable requests or not understanding constraints or not being able to communicate effectively with programmers due to a lack of technical knowledge. Furthermore, designers sometimes end up scripting things in the game or are required to use the advanced features of certain applications which demand a little technical know-how.