| Author |
 Topic  |
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Tommo
United Kingdom
437 Posts |
 Posted - 30 Sep 2001 : 22:25:15
 
Ok,
well it's that time of year, and lucky for me, it's my turn to pick
what course I'll be studying for the next three years. I'd love to
be involved in making games, but (and I'm sure this topic has come
up before, but it seems to me to be mixed in with others) I need to
know what type of courses I should look for.
Now obviously the ones titled 'Video Game Creation' are good
bets, but I understand that these have yet to prove their worth as
of yet. Basically I'd like to know what courses that aren't
specifically named 'computer games' could/should I apply for? It'd
be great if some actual people from Devcos could offer their input
(please?). I really don't know what's what. There's so many.
If it helps, I'm currently Studying A Level, Maths, Physics and
IcT, I also have a C in AS Level Product Design (that'd help me in
level design - I hope). I reckon if I said I'll be aiming for A, B,
C in my final results, A for IcT, B for Maths and C for Physics, so
I've got to aim for a course that has acceptance grades of about
B,B,C.
Oh and before anyone gives me that 'be in the right place at the
right time' line, yes I know that'll most probably be the case, but
I want to be in the best possible position to get in that right
place.
Cheers for any help/input anyone can give. Teachers just look at
you strange when you ask them.
UK Nintendo site you ask? http://www.uknside.com/ |
jumpin
jim rivers
United Kingdom
133 Posts |
Posted - 30 Sep 2001 : 22:58:17
I
take it you want to be a coder?
If so, you won't learn too much
from uni (unless the games courses are a lot better than I think). I
didn't learn a thing, I dropped out after 3 totally wasted years.
Didn't make a jot of difference to my job prospects - I started in a
crappy scripting job and it took about 5 minutes to demonstrate I
was a decent coder and move on up.
So if you're concerned about what course will teach you to code
games, don't bother. If you're sufficiently interested in the
subject, go learn. Download the Quake source and have a play around
it. Read some books. Use the internet.
On the other hand, if you're concerned about what prospective
employers will look for on your CV, I can't really help...all I can
suggest is that an impressive demo will do more for your chances
than any qualification. Just make sure the demo ISN'T a camera
flying around a bunch of corridors; people will be much more
impressed with some interesting gameplay or AI or route-finding or
physics.
|
SNESReid
United Kingdom
764 Posts |
Posted - 01 Oct 2001 : 17:33:58
Thats odd...you are taking exactly the same subjects as me
and I have got an AS qualification in Product Study too... 
Anyways, I posted something similar on this fourm called 'which
job'. Have a look and see if it helps you. I am going to do a
Computer Science degree. Even if I don't wanna be a coder, designers
have to have some programming experience too.
'I am serious, and don't call me Shirley...' |
Tommo
United Kingdom
437 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2001 : 16:43:55
Well thanks for your help, I'm taking it all on board, but I
did want to know what Universities are good and which are bad? Are
there any courses that people can recommend?
You see up to know, I've been all for a 'Video Game Creation'
course, but lately, reading some posts on these boards, it seems
Computer Science is the way to go.
I'd probably be heading the coding route, but again like most
people think getting a foot into design would be nice too. Although
to be honest I'm not really that bothered if I'm forever neglected
to being a coder. I love working in a team, and I'd love to make
something I've been fascinated about since my Dad first showed me
his Spectrum.
Jumping Jim, I'm curious, are you in the industry now? I take it
you're a coder, how long have you been there, and what would you say
it's like? (oh and did you start in Testing?)
UK Nintendo site you ask? http://www.uknside.com/ |
jumpin
jim rivers
United Kingdom
133 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2001 : 19:45:35
quote:
Jumping Jim, I'm curious, are you in the industry now? , how
long have you been there, and what would you say it's like? (oh
and did you start in Testing?)
Yep, I'm a coder and I've been in the industry 4-5 years. What
it's like varies. Some crap happens that you wouldn't have to put up
with a more mainstream job, but it's mostly great. Right now, it's
*really* great, actually (Gamecube is a dream to work on).
I got started in scripting not testing. While I was scripting, I
made myself useful doing optimisation work off my own bat; as soon
as they sussed I was a decent coder I got moved up.
I know it must be frustrating trying to break into the industry,
but once you're in, how well you do is completely up to you.
Demonstrate some talent and enthusiasm and you WILL get noticed.
Best of luck with uni.
|
Cheeko
United Kingdom
148 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2001 : 21:20:45
Hi
Tommo,
I'm a 3rd year student at Teesside Uni, I'm on a placement year
at a games company and although I'm a 3D artist I have a friend
who's also managed to get a placement with the company who's a
programmer studying at Teeside. We are working on different projects
but are both equal members of a team, none of this tea boy malarky,
and when the year is done we will both have a finished game under
our belt. His on XBOX and mine on PS2, XBOX, Gamecube. Which gives
us a foot in the door to be making games in the future.
I'd highly recommend Teesside, they have lecturers who've been in
the games industry and see it as the major industry that it is.
The courses come under titles of Interactive Computer
entertainment, Visualisation etc.
go to
http://www-scm.tees.ac.uk/
for more info
hope this is of help.
|
Tommo
United Kingdom
437 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2001 : 22:30:16
Jumping Jim: Cheers, you certainly sound like a success story
of how actual talent and good ol' hard work can get you into the
industry. Thanks for the advice, I'm currently looking at websites
and the rest to start teaching myself, but in last year of A levels,
I think it'll have to go on the backburner for the time being.
Cheeko: Thank you very much, this was exactly what I was looking
for course wise, and the Computer Interactive Entertainment course
has now gone onto the 'UCAS Chosen Six' list. Although I've got a
few reservations about the distance - I'm in Essex at the
moment.
Cheers everyone so far, and if anyone else has got anything, plus
post it, I've got until Tuesday next week apparently. ;)
UK Nintendo site you ask? http://www.uknside.com/ |
Cheeko
United Kingdom
148 Posts |
Posted - 02 Oct 2001 : 22:41:50
Don't worry about the distance mate, I come from
Penzance.........Cornwall :)
|
Tommo
United Kingdom
437 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2001 : 15:58:32
Hey
I know this is stupid (and slightly off topic too) but what's the
nightlife/general life there like? I've heard that people aint
exactly nice to people without a Geordie accent... Hey yes I worry,
but y'know.
But also, with the uni course you're on, what grades did you get
to get in? I know there's minimum grades, but they're always less
than what they really are on popular courses.
UK Nintendo site you ask? http://www.uknside.com/ |
Cheeko
United Kingdom
148 Posts |
Posted - 03 Oct 2001 : 23:27:03
With reference to the people of Middlesbrough well, there is
a divide between the locals and the students but to be honest I've
only had one incident in the two years I've lived there, and that
was just some hassle in the park. The students are mainly in the
town centre and go to their own places, that have student
nights(cheap and plenty of action ;) ) and stuff, it certainly
shouldn't put you off. The nightlife is great though, loads of
places to go and accomodation and living in general up there is
cheap as hell. God, I make it seem incredible!!!
My grades to get into Teesside well A-levels were a bit poor, I
had a bit of dissolusionment with education shall we say Maths D,
English Lit. E, Computing C, Des. Tech D, General Stud. E
the
following year I did a BTEC art foundation which was a one year
course and got a Merit.
|
Tommo
United Kingdom
437 Posts |
Posted - 04 Oct 2001 : 19:22:23
Cool, that's alright then. :) Put my mind at rest abit more.
Don't put yourself down, they're still good grades for A level! Well
cheers mate, I'll put my application in. Just gotta decide whether
to put this or Lincolnshire and Humberside in for my first/second
choice. Decisions decisions.
UK Nintendo site you ask? http://www.uknside.com/ |
Felix
of Mars
United Kingdom
8
Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2001 : 09:43:32
Coming from Lincolnshire and applying for a course at Hull I
believe that they don't have the equipment there. I am also studying
at Teesside university but on the Creative Vis course. Truth is we
have the equipment but some of the tutors are less than brilliant.
Then again some are great and I don't what them thinking I am bad
mouthing them also. It is true some of them have been in the
industry and they know there stuff and will make efforts to help you
while others you may as well be being lectured by a stone. Then
again its probably true everywhere. As for the area... if you like
living in a demilitarise zone then this is the place for you...
otherwise its a very depressing place that sucks the life-force from
you. Well thats my opinion and others may see it in a diffrent
light.
"You must now run into oncoming traffic with your genetalia
exposed!" |
Tommo
United Kingdom
437 Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2001 : 19:25:44
Noooo! My only two real choices shattered in one small post.
:(
I wonder Felix of Mars, would you have started your third year
industry placement yet? Cause I know Cheeko is, maybe that's why he
sounded so positive? I don't know.
Teeside still seems the best option at the moment though...
UK Nintendo site you ask? http://www.uknside.com/ |
Felix
of Mars
United Kingdom
8
Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2001 : 22:59:24
Lincolnshire is a great place to live and all... I think the
course you are on about is run at Hull. I didn't mean to sound like
the computers at ULH are poor I just know that Teesside has better
equipment. As for my time at Teesside... I have spent too long there
so I have been turned rather bitter by it all... I completed my HND
in Visualisation which was fun 2 years ago then I lost most of my
friends and things started to go down hill... I haven't been on a
placment and the only 2 people that got a placment this year where
supposedly cancelled. Its not all bad though some of the lectures
are really good and have made up for some of the less inspired
lectures.
If I where you come and see the uni and see what the students
have to say... after all they live and work there 6 months of the
year :D
p.s. This is my third/final year by the way...
quote:
Noooo! My only two real choices shattered in one small post.
:(
I wonder Felix of Mars, would you have started your third year
industry placement yet? Cause I know Cheeko is, maybe that's why
he sounded so positive? I don't know.
Teeside still seems the best option at the moment though...
UK Nintendo site you ask? http://www.uknside.com/
"You must now run into oncoming traffic with your genetalia
exposed!" |
Felix
of Mars
United Kingdom
8
Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2001 : 23:06:20
One
last thing.. all this is is means to an end... without a univesity
qualification you won't even get a sniff of a job so don't give up
and get a place for god sakes... :D
When I started and as far as I know the only two places companys
respect are Teesside and Bornmouth (sorry if this is
misspelled.)
"You must now run into oncoming traffic with your genetalia
exposed!" |
Felix
of Mars
United Kingdom
8
Posts |
Posted - 06 Oct 2001 : 23:07:00
One
last thing.. all this is is means to an end... without a univesity
qualification you won't even get a sniff of a job so don't give up
and get a place for god sakes... :D
When I started and as far as I know the only two places companys
respect are Teesside and Bornmouth (sorry if this is
misspelled.)
"You must now run into oncoming traffic with your genetalia
exposed!" |
All
Forums
DUDE! I need some serious help with my Uni courses