Ok so I want to discuss the sweeping cultural phenomenon that is the rapid emmergence of Video Game Design/Programming schools sweeping the nation (America). What is your take on them? Gauging each of their strengths & weaknessess has been weighing heavily on me over the past year and a half. I've experience a few first hand, and researched all that are listed. I'd like to know where this community stands on just the video game school idea in general, before I express some of my findings.


Plus it's something we actually haven't beaten to death yet.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Sep 26 2007, 12:52 am by ClansAreForGays.

I said other, all of the colleges that advertise on the television are probably not as good as some others. If the college is good, people should come without lots of advertising.

I really looked into full sail a lot, but than fell into physics.

That doesn't even kinda make sense

I would prefer a college that doesn't say "ZOMGZOMG COME LEARN!!!shifteleven! OUR COLLEGE ROCKZ0RS YOUR SOCKZ0RS" but a college that the students know rockz0rs their sockz0rs so it isn't said.

The thing I was most passionate about was going into programming/game designing; all my years of making starcraft games and such has developed such a passion. However, when I look at it realistically, it seems more like a dream rather than a reality.

Only the best can successfully do such things. Going into an industry must be the ultimate dream of millions of people, especially gamers. The thing is, alot of people who go into such things have years and years of programming experience. I on the otherhand have none. I may have the game designing experience, but when it comes to the more important aspect, programming, that's where I fail. Starcraft campaign editor is nothing NEAR programming. I only started learning C++ about a year ago, but have still a LONG way to go when it comes down to learning the basics. Also, I am not a computer-geek. I know almost nothing about computers, this definately will not help me with my programming/game designing learning experience.

However, I decided to use my abilities/experience for something else and so that's why I ended up with Engineering. I feel as though my abilities to critically think, analyze, and design things can be used within the Field of Engineering (the only problem is, I wasn't quite sure which specific engineering I wanted to do. I was torn between Civil, Mechanical, and Aerospace but in the end I chose Civil). At first I was oblivious to Electrical/Computer Engineering; I've been told by numerous people that it's hard as shit and that many ppl drop out of it so I didn't really get a chance to know what it truly was. But after seeing what my friends in EE/Computer engineering are doing, it's almost parallel to Computer Science and to some extent, programming/game designing. If I had the choice now, I probably would've considered doing EE (or more in particular, computer engineering) since it seems more similar to my original passion than what I am doing in Civil Engineering. But again, it's highly competitive, and already having computer/programming experience truly helps one in that field, and that's where I fall behind in.

So as far as these Programming or Game Designing schools go, well I do not know too much about them, but if I wanted to do something similar to that kind of stuff, I would pick Computer Science or Electrical/Computer Engineering; both seem to be safer choices but do similar stuff. As for me, I will just see how I like my Civil Engineering as this semester/year progresses. If I like it, ill stay with it. If not, Ill look into something else.

I'm a Creative Writing major, so the best I could hope for is writing a script/story for games (which certainly does appeal to me, and I may pursue that option if it arises). I have a friend that is going to the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) for Game Design and Development.

If the school doesn't teach you how to tighten up the graphics, then it ain't worth your time.

http://tightgraphs.ytmnd.com/

I would say Devry is the best school to learn to make video games or have anything associated with it becaue they have small classrooms.

Well the true question is why try to get a degree in gaming or game programming?I mean so many are doing that right now so it will be harder getting a job in that.When you can do something just as fun and easy like computer tech .Which when I go to collage ill go for.

Yea that's pretty much what I've been thinking too. That's one reason why I chose to do some form of Engineering.

Thanks everyone for your valuable input, especially mill. I'm trying to gather enough info so I can hopefully start a website (call it like, videogameschools.com) that can be THE place to go for information on all the major institutions offering game design programs.
I suppose I can tell you my bias now that you've already expressed your opinions. I have been motivated to start this ever since I left DeVry's GSP program just last year. In short I found it to be a scam. I know there are thousands of students out there giving themselves to this $60k degree program who will be broken individuals upon completion. DeVry uses very decptive tactics to lure students in, and keep them from asking questions about the direction of the school. After tons of research, I came to the undeniable conclusion that the best way into the industry is a bachelors in computer science from a university with a respected computer science program.
Keep the input coming.

It takes so much originality to produce a good game now a days. Good luck if you do ever get into video game making.

you forgot Art Institutes dude..

I have a friend that goes to an Art Institute. He goes to Pratt in Brooklyn, NY. At least from what he's told me, they focus more on graphics and art and that's it. He wanted to take a Calculus class for fun but when he went to his advisor, his advisor said these exact words to him: "Jeff, this is an art school. Nobody here cares about Calculus, so don't waste your time."

MIT.

I'm thinking of signing up for a game creation Uni. I live in Melbourne, which is like the capital of australia for games right now. I'm hoping to get somewhere in the industry. Any tips?

"It takes so much originality to produce a good game now a days. Good luck if you do ever get into video game making."

By good, do you mean successful? Because the two are completely different things when game production is involved.
FarCry has a shit storyline, barely any originality, no new concepts, and pretty beaches. And look how much money it made.
Money isn't in gameplay I'm afraid. It's in advertising [WoW] and graphics [I don't need to give an example here...].

Originality won't get you far either, most of the moneymaking games are based off movies, and 100% shit.

But there, people no longer play the games. Computer AI plays for them.

@Candle: It may seem like the fun and hip thing to do right now, but trust me you wouldn't be getting a job in the industry.

Here are some great words I found exceptional from you guys, and would like candle to take a good read over

There was someone else I wanted to quote, but I can't find their reply here(maybe I made this on maplantis too?)
He said something like "These schools are out there trying to teach kids something that you are either born with, or aren't. The ability to think critically in ways outside the box can't be taught in a classroom." Well I think that's what he said. Maybe someone else remembers reading it, he said it much better.

But am I him?