6 replies to this topic

[Ninpo]

Hi there,

I'm new to the forum and I'm seriously considering taking a Games Dev course at my local Uni next year if I can get in...

I'm currently working as an SEO Analyst / Technical Assistant for an SEO Company but I'd like a change of career as I've always wanted to be a Games Developer, since I was like 6 years old.

I've read recently that a VP of Codemasters has stated that he'd rather hire someone with a Computer Science degree than a Games Dev degree, also if you cannot get into games development you can do so much more with a Comp Sci degree.

What do you guys all think? What have you taken and got etc...

Cheers

Ninpo

[TheNut]

Hi Ninpo and welcome to DevMaster.

A computer science degree is an accredited degree that trains you to become a self-sufficient computer programmer, scientist, and researcher. This enables you to research new advanced topics and theories to apply in your work. Often you see this in the games industry as someone inventing a new real time lighting algorithm, or a new way to adopt physics on the GPU, new rendering techniques, and so forth. You don't need to have a background in games development to become one. A comp sci graduate would possess the aptitude to find and learn more about the field. A game dev course is more or less designed to get you up and running with game development. It doesn't train you to think about hardware, performance metrics, researching, algorithms, etc. It's analogous to a giving a man a fish to eat for a day vs teaching a man to fish to eat for life.

Of course, not everyone needs either. All it really takes is dedication to push yourself to success. A comp sci degree is more or less proof that you are capable of doing the aforementioned. You could easily prove yourself with a solid portfolio.

[Ninpo]

Thanks for the info TheNut.

I'd be more interested in the artistic side, possibly animation over programming.
As I've a background in Art & Design, Fine Art etc... I did take a course in Software Development however...

Based on that I think the Comp Sci is probably the better course.

I'm just aware of the face that a Games Dev course might teach me how to use designing software like Maya etc... Whereas a Comp Sci course might not.

Ninpo

[tyree]

I can tell you right now if your go with art animation. be prepared for some rough spots. where you work freelance or create your own stories or games, what have you and make money of it. your a lot less likely to work a regular 9-5 in your field unless you create the job. because there simply arent that many positions. for you to work in. Im not trying to disuade you. but be aware your going into something that will put you thru some changes and test you.

the people that do art and animation as a profession more often than not feel a need to do it. you would be surprised how tough artist actually are. life cannot make them stop doing art. Im saying this. so you dont get art and animation confused with something like a computer science degree. which can be used in a general or generic way. computer science is multi purpose. art and animation is not.

you really need to be aware of this before you jump in

[Ninpo]

Thanks for that tyree, I am aware of the difference between and & animation and Comp Sci but thatnks for claifying.

[monumani13]

Hello everyone....This is my first post and i came here to enjoy and want to share and get some knowledge from here.

[Stainless]

I agree with tyree, I had a GA working with me and when the company had financial problems he was offered a proper salary to go back to being a driver on London underground.

He turned down the job and hung on so he could continue doing graphics. He went without food for 3 days so his kids could eat, but still wouldn't go back to being a train driver.