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OK, Its 2 years off yet for me, but I was wondering if anyone had any information on Degrees concerning Computer Games in anyway.
Any information, web addresses, locations etc would be much appreciated.
Bonus has already helped me out alot, and has told me about a course I could do in Dundee which looks really good, but I just wanted a few other options that I can compare it to.
Thanks alot
David
Any information, web addresses, locations etc would be much appreciated.
Bonus has already helped me out alot, and has told me about a course I could do in Dundee which looks really good, but I just wanted a few other options that I can compare it to.
Thanks alot
David
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i think you should do a computer science course too....
it would be so much more beneficial in the long run....
really
it would be so much more beneficial in the long run....
really
Dav1d wrote:
>Does anyone have any contacts that
> they could give me with some Game Developers? I think
> getting information from people actually in the industry > would be of great help.
Hmmmm, I might get booed out of here, but try this forum aswell - http://www.futureforums.co.uk/edge/ - the official forum of Edge magazine, where they have a specialist recruitment forum, and also where proper games industry types hang out... And me, on occasion.
>Does anyone have any contacts that
> they could give me with some Game Developers? I think
> getting information from people actually in the industry > would be of great help.
Hmmmm, I might get booed out of here, but try this forum aswell - http://www.futureforums.co.uk/edge/ - the official forum of Edge magazine, where they have a specialist recruitment forum, and also where proper games industry types hang out... And me, on occasion.
Dav1d wrote:
> Thanks for all your help guys!
I really want to go into the Gaming Industry,
> but I think doing a 2-4 year course on Computer Science (or something like this)
> may be pointless if I get bored with it.
Does anyone have any contacts that
> they could give me with some Game Developers? I think getting information from
> people actually in the industry would be of great help.
Yes, just apply to local games developers saying that you are interested in joining the industry, and want a job as a tester (obviously, you won't be able to do that at the moment, but maybe over summer).
As for the C++ thing... MS Visual C++ is to C++ as MS Visual Basic is to Basic... they're completely different.
Sonic
> Thanks for all your help guys!
I really want to go into the Gaming Industry,
> but I think doing a 2-4 year course on Computer Science (or something like this)
> may be pointless if I get bored with it.
Does anyone have any contacts that
> they could give me with some Game Developers? I think getting information from
> people actually in the industry would be of great help.
Yes, just apply to local games developers saying that you are interested in joining the industry, and want a job as a tester (obviously, you won't be able to do that at the moment, but maybe over summer).
As for the C++ thing... MS Visual C++ is to C++ as MS Visual Basic is to Basic... they're completely different.
Sonic
funkygamer wrote:
Visual C++
> is "drag and drop" (hence, visual), you do not learn much about coding
> when all you have to do is drag and drop elements onto a page. Almost like
> 'coding by numbers'
True to an extent in that setting up the dialog boxes and stuff is very "drag and drop", but you still then need to know how to code what the box does.
For example, You have a simple password dialogue box with an ok and a cancel button. To create the dialogue box, you do just drag and drop the buttons and the boxes for entering the text. But what happens when you press ok, or cancel?
You still have to code these bits in yourself, so you do still need to know how to code in C++.
Admittedly it's far easier than using something like Emacs or Vi on a Unix type platform, but it doesn't do it all for you by any means.
Visual C++
> is "drag and drop" (hence, visual), you do not learn much about coding
> when all you have to do is drag and drop elements onto a page. Almost like
> 'coding by numbers'
True to an extent in that setting up the dialog boxes and stuff is very "drag and drop", but you still then need to know how to code what the box does.
For example, You have a simple password dialogue box with an ok and a cancel button. To create the dialogue box, you do just drag and drop the buttons and the boxes for entering the text. But what happens when you press ok, or cancel?
You still have to code these bits in yourself, so you do still need to know how to code in C++.
Admittedly it's far easier than using something like Emacs or Vi on a Unix type platform, but it doesn't do it all for you by any means.
Thanks for all your help guys!
I really want to go into the Gaming Industry, but I think doing a 2-4 year course on Computer Science (or something like this) may be pointless if I get bored with it.
Does anyone have any contacts that they could give me with some Game Developers? I think getting information from people actually in the industry would be of great help.
I really want to go into the Gaming Industry, but I think doing a 2-4 year course on Computer Science (or something like this) may be pointless if I get bored with it.
Does anyone have any contacts that they could give me with some Game Developers? I think getting information from people actually in the industry would be of great help.
Some good points made about not doing a course specific to games in this forum...
However, one thing I will say is that I have on good authority that MS Visual C++ is *not like* coding in proper C ++ - think of it like using naff old MS Frontpage instead of an industry standard like DreamWeaver.
Visual C++ is "drag and drop" (hence, visual), you do not learn much about coding when all you have to do is drag and drop elements onto a page. Almost like 'coding by numbers'
When I learnt C++ I on my degree, we had a copy of "Edit" (for you young 'uns, basically notepad in DOS mode!) on the PC and a compiler. That was it. It may take time, but it will be worth it in the long run if you want to improve your skills.
However, one thing I will say is that I have on good authority that MS Visual C++ is *not like* coding in proper C ++ - think of it like using naff old MS Frontpage instead of an industry standard like DreamWeaver.
Visual C++ is "drag and drop" (hence, visual), you do not learn much about coding when all you have to do is drag and drop elements onto a page. Almost like 'coding by numbers'
When I learnt C++ I on my degree, we had a copy of "Edit" (for you young 'uns, basically notepad in DOS mode!) on the PC and a compiler. That was it. It may take time, but it will be worth it in the long run if you want to improve your skills.
I would recommend you do a computer science degree. Or maybe a stream similar to CS. Either Business Information Systems, Business Information Technology, or a new Multimedia etc.
You will have enough module choices to direct your learning towards gaming. e.g. computer graphics, 3d Engines, C programming, assembly language, human computer interaction etc. etc.
I took all of these modules on a Business Information Systems degree at Portsmouth Uni.
Like others have been saying - don't take a gaming degree. it wont be looked highly upon by other companies should you decide gaming isn't what you want to do.
You can alway make a game, or an engine for your dissertation. A friend of mine made a 3d character engine for games as his dissertation (doing the same degree at the same uni) and now he makes the LEGO games....
You will have enough module choices to direct your learning towards gaming. e.g. computer graphics, 3d Engines, C programming, assembly language, human computer interaction etc. etc.
I took all of these modules on a Business Information Systems degree at Portsmouth Uni.
Like others have been saying - don't take a gaming degree. it wont be looked highly upon by other companies should you decide gaming isn't what you want to do.
You can alway make a game, or an engine for your dissertation. A friend of mine made a 3d character engine for games as his dissertation (doing the same degree at the same uni) and now he makes the LEGO games....
Strafex wrote:
In the Rareware recruitment page, it asks
> for a CV and a C++ demo.
It says that qualifications are irrelevant.
They do say that, and indeed companies do recruit talented individuals with no formal qualifications. But to actually enter the industry this way, you need to be really exceptional, and very few people can become this good by simple readin a book...
I used to want to work in the industry, so went to lectures on how to get in, and chatted to loads of people on the inside. Like I was saying before, none of these developers was too amazed by computer games degrees, and many looked for comp sci, physics and maths degrees.
Do comp sci and you'll learn a high level language anyway.
Do maths or physics and you'll possess the ability to make 3D engines and game physics... something very much in need.
And, with any of these degrees, you can go into loads of other professions too- such as finance :) $$$
Sonic
In the Rareware recruitment page, it asks
> for a CV and a C++ demo.
It says that qualifications are irrelevant.
They do say that, and indeed companies do recruit talented individuals with no formal qualifications. But to actually enter the industry this way, you need to be really exceptional, and very few people can become this good by simple readin a book...
I used to want to work in the industry, so went to lectures on how to get in, and chatted to loads of people on the inside. Like I was saying before, none of these developers was too amazed by computer games degrees, and many looked for comp sci, physics and maths degrees.
Do comp sci and you'll learn a high level language anyway.
Do maths or physics and you'll possess the ability to make 3D engines and game physics... something very much in need.
And, with any of these degrees, you can go into loads of other professions too- such as finance :) $$$
Sonic
The £100 thing from Amazon contains MS Visual C++ compiler package thing which contains LOADS of wizards and help files.
Bascailly, it's all you need to create visual programs for windows.
It IS a lot of money, but if you're REALLY interested, then I think it's worth it.
Bascailly, it's all you need to create visual programs for windows.
It IS a lot of money, but if you're REALLY interested, then I think it's worth it.
Dav1d wrote:
> £100 is quite alot (for someone who doesnt work!)
You definatley sure
> this [C++] is what games companys use?.....
Basically will it enhance my chances of
> becoming a "Games Developer"?......
In the Rareware recruitment page, it asks for a CV and a C++ demo.
It says that qualifications are irrelevant.
BUT, you don't want to do a course in game design because it limits you to games only.
You want a course that takes you through general programming.
As for C++, if you don't want to pay 100 quid then you can do it the cheap way.
I bought a 8 pound begginners handbook from Waterstones and downloaded a Compiler (it turns your C++ coding into an .exe file) and I'm learning C++ slowly but surely.
Start cheap and if you get really interested then upgrade to better quality stuff, like that Amazon deal which presumably contains a Compiler and a Learning Guide.
> £100 is quite alot (for someone who doesnt work!)
You definatley sure
> this [C++] is what games companys use?.....
Basically will it enhance my chances of
> becoming a "Games Developer"?......
In the Rareware recruitment page, it asks for a CV and a C++ demo.
It says that qualifications are irrelevant.
BUT, you don't want to do a course in game design because it limits you to games only.
You want a course that takes you through general programming.
As for C++, if you don't want to pay 100 quid then you can do it the cheap way.
I bought a 8 pound begginners handbook from Waterstones and downloaded a Compiler (it turns your C++ coding into an .exe file) and I'm learning C++ slowly but surely.
Start cheap and if you get really interested then upgrade to better quality stuff, like that Amazon deal which presumably contains a Compiler and a Learning Guide.
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