Career options?

[RESmonkey]

*Sigh*...I want to do something with video games. That's concrete. Sad part is, I like everything. I want to be in on the game design, I want to make the artwork, the physics, the graphics, the everything...
Aside from games, I'd also like to play around with high-end computer equipment.

Choices:
Software Engineering
Computer Engineering (what I applied to)
???

I'm good at:
-Physics (really)
-Math
-I'm very good at drawing/have good sense of art*
-I can imagine...lol

*= I've never taken any art classes. What I know is solely from within.

Applied to:
UIUC engineering - pending
Purdue engineering - in

Stats:
AP/honors classes
Top 5% class rank
high GPA
31 ACT score
uhhh...gifted?


Now I don't know how to narrow my window here. I don't want to apply to those schools that only focus on game development, as they're (coming from multiple sources I've read) poor at what they focus on, not worth the money, and aren't considered by employers. That's why I've applied at UIUC and Purdue.

Epic thanks

 

[Gibson486]

You want to do video games? You picked not only the wrong colleges, but you als picked the wrong major. These schools will usually not prep you for video game design. As fro what schools are good for this, I have no idea. It's a pretty niche market, which is why most schools will not invest in it. It seems that videogame design is more of a self initiative thing. You have to want to really do it and kind of learn on your own (as well as get somes ort of software degree). Most software engineering classes are focused on how to optimize code and algorithms.

 

[RESmonkey]

Hmm...so taking software eng. classes will just piss me off in the end, no?

 

[MixMasterTang]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
Hmm...so taking software eng. classes will just piss me off in the end, no?

There is *some* creativity in software design, but probably not the type of creativity you are looking for! It could teach you good basic skills, but probably not enough to lead you in the direction you want to go.

 

[pontifex]

Full Sail
a few others

 

[Semidevil]

have you applied to Carnegie Melon?

i read tht they have one of those masters program focused on video games/virtual reality and the graduates and connected to big companies like EA, etc etc.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Originally posted by: Semidevil
have you applied to Carnegie Melon?

i read tht they have one of those masters program focused on video games/virtual reality and the graduates and connected to big companies like EA, etc etc.

If I remember that C.S. professor who gave his acclaimed "last lecture" created a program that combines C.S. graphic design, and other art academia. I'm unsure if it's a n undergrad or grad program though. Google it.

 

[RESmonkey]

pontifex...aren't those schools...kind of bad?

Semidevil, I haven't applied to Cmellon, I'm going to go check it out right now.

 

[RESmonkey]

Damnit...can't apply because I haven't taken SAT Subject Tests (don't plan on em, either).

What's wrong with getting a bachelor's in CS at UIUC, while learning some game oriented stuff in my free time? How would stuff you learn on your own even show up to employers?

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
Damnit...can't apply because I haven't taken SAT Subject Tests (don't plan on em, either).

What's wrong with getting a bachelor's in CS at UIUC, while learning some game oriented stuff in my free time? How would stuff you learn on your own even show up to employers?

Nothing at all. Whichever school you go to just get a solid foundation in what you'll need for game design. Perhaps a C.S. major/Graphic Design minor, or vice-versa. From there you could apply to a grad school that focuses solely on game design.

BTW I found the link to what semidevil and myself were talking about: http://www.etc.cmu.edu/

 

[Special K]

FWIW, EA was recruiting at UMich last year specifically for game developer positions, so I'd imagine a CS degree from there might give you a chance.

Then again, I've heard that EA can be a terrible place to work for. Someone posted something from an EA employee's blog on here a long time ago, I'll see if I can dig it up.

 

[RESmonkey]

Are game design grad schools the same thing as Full Sail, Westwood, DeVry? I do not want to go to those...

Unless my view on them is wrong, and they aren't that bad.

 

[RESmonkey]

http://cs.engr.uiuc.edu/undergraduate/courses.php

They have a course called Computer Graphics, and there's some neat OpenGL stuff in there. Then there's advanced Computer Graphics, too.

Interesting, interesting.

 

[RESmonkey]

Bump

 

[pontifex]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
pontifex...aren't those schools...kind of bad?

Semidevil, I haven't applied to Cmellon, I'm going to go check it out right now.

no idea...i just know that those are "video game schools"

i wouldn't trust the Westwood one just based on their shitty commercial. if they can't make a commercial without lying to you, then forget about it.

 

[herm0016]

i know bungie and valve have been talking to the game design group up here, they have some demos done and have a few contracts to do software development for companies. they team is called Husky Game Development and we are at Michigan Technological University. www.mtu.edu

 

[Gibson486]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
Hmm...so taking software eng. classes will just piss me off in the end, no?

Yeah. Video games is a really niche field. I'd imagine that you would also need a MAsters to even get your foot in the door. It's that specialized. Either that, or find a place that will take you as an intern and make a really good impression.

 

[Glitchny]

Originally posted by: pontifex
Full Sail
a few others

As a Game Development student at FullSail I''d have to say that the school is pretty much exactly what you are looking for(unless you want to go to a classic 4 year school). Not sure where you are getting the information that the specialized schools arent good at teaching the subject or that the industry doesnt look highly on them. We have companies that recruit on campus, and 88% of graduates are placed in jobs in the game industry. So i wouldnt count fullsail out.

The program is by no means easy, at least 10-15 kids per month fail out of my classes because the course is demanding, but it isnt super hard. Especially if you have had previous programming experience etc. Also the program involves alot more than just programming. halfway through we have to make a 2d game with a team of 4-5 ppl, and final project is a 4month project with a different team on a 3D game, in which we have to create all assests (art/sound/film/models/etc) on our own.

 

[RESmonkey]

I guess I'm going to stick with Computer Eng for now, console design/computer design is another preference.

If I don't like it, I'll switch over to CS, get a Masters...while working on some Directx/OpenGl stuff.

Thanks atot




now wish me luck getting in UIUC (still pending/waiting for review).