It's time for me to start thinking about where I want to take my life in terms of my education, and future career paths. Lately I've been thinking about this a lot, and a number of career directions I'm interested in have been put on the table. Namely, Engineering, Photojournalism, Business and Game Design. (which arguably, is a culmination of a lot of different areas) The one area that has been constantly on the table, and I haven't questioned for any reason is a career in the Game Development industry. So I guess that leads me to my set of questions. I've read a number of the articles on getting into the industry, and they are all pointing to having a portfolio, talking to people in the industry, etc. A few have mentioned the influences some of the new game design programs are starting to have, and that a lot of graduates are getting into the industry through these programs. Most of the schools that people are going to are a long ways away from where I live and call home. Additionally, I would never want to attend school or be employed in the united states (personal preference), which makes finding a good school even more challenging. I consider myself a ‘jack of all trades, and a master of none’. I enjoy programming just as much as I enjoy photoshop. And I like to write and design as much as enjoy creating audio or messing with level designing tools. This leads me to a dilemma as for how I want to approach the industry once I have completed my schooling. My portfolio will likely end up being diverse, but I'm concerned that if I focus myself as a designer my portfolio will lack substantiality in terms of depth (maybe that’s not the correct way of describing it, but you get the idea). My programming will be good, but not as good as someone who just finished an MA in CS with a focus in graphics programming, and my textures will not be as nice as someone with a natural talent for photoshop and tablet drawing with a liberal arts degree. Am I wrong in being concerned about this? Or is this just one of the things that I have to be aware of if I make my focus game design, and compensate by working extra hard to make sure all of my work is top notch? Does anyone have any thoughts on a tell-tale sign that I am the type of person who would be well suited for game design, as opposed to being a game programmer, or texture artist? I'm not sure where I fit into the industry, but I have a gut feeling that designing is where I'm being called to. Does anyone know anything about the game design program at the Vancouver Film School? The school itself is world renown for pumping out some of the best and brightest artists, writers, directors and producers in North America, but I'm curious if there game design program is up to snuff when compared so some of the other schools. Full-Time Game design program - HomeFaculty ListCirriculum I’d appreciate it if someone could take a look at the curriculum and give me an idea of that’s acceptable or not, or perhaps just some general thoughts on the school. I've scheduled a phone interview with a program counselor tomorrow, and I have typed up a list of questions that I plan on asking them. If you're interested in reading my list of questions, and feel you might have some input, I've put them up here: Questions for VFS - word document What other university/post secondary programs would compliment someone who wants to be a game designer? I've heard everything from computer science to psychology. There are no guarantees in this industry, which not only makes it exciting but very frustrating. I have a passion for game design, but I'm pretty lost when trying to decide what to take in school, and where I should go. Help?

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Original post by Raymondo It's time for me to start thinking about where I want to take my life in terms of my education, and future career paths. Lately I've been thinking about this a lot, and a number of career directions I'm interested in have been put on the table. Namely, Engineering, Photojournalism, Business and Game Design. (which arguably, is a culmination of a lot of different areas)

Great! It's never too early to start thinking about the future [wink] It's nice to know that you have quite a variety of choices that you must decide between. Between all of that, you should have some great paths to follow.

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The one area that has been constantly on the table, and I haven't questioned for any reason is a career in the Game Development industry. So I guess that leads me to my set of questions. I've read a number of the articles on getting into the industry, and they are all pointing to having a portfolio, talking to people in the industry, etc. A few have mentioned the influences some of the new game design programs are starting to have, and that a lot of graduates are getting into the industry through these programs. Most of the schools that people are going to are a long ways away from where I live and call home.

From what I've been told, having a portfolio is crucial to get attention, but then again, it's all about who you know. Well that's pretty much life in a sentence. So yes, going to a good school, building up connections is your key to 'getting in' per se. It's not the only way, but it sure is the most 'relaxing way' [wink]. However though game design is not something that can be taught, it's an aquired skill. So basically you go to school to learn the, er... um, basics I guess then after that you're on your own to get the ball rolling.

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Additionally, I would never want to attend school or be employed in the united states (personal preference), which makes finding a good school even more challenging.

[flaming] JK [grin] It's ok though! Most of the time now, if you do freelance work or contract, you can be anywhere in the world! The current project that I am working with has people from all parts of the world, not just the US, so if you want to work in your country, that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Well that's for contract and freelance, so I know what you mean about finding a good school more challenging.

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I consider myself a ‘jack of all trades, and a master of none’. I enjoy programming just as much as I enjoy photoshop. And I like to write and design as much as enjoy creating audio or messing with level designing tools. This leads me to a dilemma as for how I want to approach the industry once I have completed my schooling. My portfolio will likely end up being diverse, but I'm concerned that if I focus myself as a designer my portfolio will lack substantiality in terms of depth (maybe that’s not the correct way of describing it, but you get the idea). My programming will be good, but not as good as someone who just finished an MA in CS with a focus in graphics programming, and my textures will not be as nice as someone with a natural talent for photoshop and tablet drawing with a liberal arts degree. Am I wrong in being concerned about this? Or is this just one of the things that I have to be aware of if I make my focus game design, and compensate by working extra hard to make sure all of my work is top notch?

Well let me tell you, I'd rather be, and am, a swiss army knife then let's say a 12'' butcher cleaver! Versatility is important! Yes, while someone who is fine tuned in CS with a MA that does know all that graphics stuff will outbeat you in a job for that position, the key thing is that what if there is no position? Then that MA in CS is pretty much out of luck. You on the other hand, can take on a lot of other jobs because you can do more. It's always an issue of what is better, being the best at one thing, or being exceptional in a lot of things. It's a personal preference, but I'd say the more the merrier! Why? Because it all ties in together.

I myself am a programmer, but I've had to do quite a lot of stuff on the modeling side with the current project to get stuff figured out. If you go into games, and you're 3d models aren't loading right, and you don't know anything about modeling, then you're in trouble! Having the experience of doing a lot of other things is essential to becoming a good programmer. It's not always about what you can and can't do, but more of how much do you understand. You may not know how to fix the problem, but if you understand the problem that makes life 10x easier because you can go ask someone who does know what to do.

So overall, yes, place more emphasis on what you are doing, but don't neglet the other things you know and have learned. You have no idea how you will need to use them at the most random times! Trust me. As for portfolio, shows lots, but make sure you have some center piece. I mean don't make it look like a garage sale in terms of you got a lot of little junk but that's it. Make it more of an aunction, you have the little stuff, but then you have the grand prize that everyone will want to bid on.

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Does anyone have any thoughts on a tell-tale sign that I am the type of person who would be well suited for game design, as opposed to being a game programmer, or texture artist? I'm not sure where I fit into the industry, but I have a gut feeling that designing is where I'm being called to.

Well not much to offer here, since I don't know you nor have seen any work. I think it's your judgement call. If you think you can do game programming, then do it! Don't worry about oh I have to go to this school or that, because that's not even a must. Programming is basically learn on your own, learn well then show off. Schools can't teach you what you learn on your own time with expeirience. In the two years that I took C++ in H.S., I've probabally had to throw half of it out because it's just wrong or outdated now. Then I have to learn all the stuff that they didn't and should have taught me. But the main point is pick what you want to do and stick with it, indecision is very costly nowadays...

Ok as for the rest, sorry can't help you there. Living in the States myself, I have no idea of the education programs there and what all there is to choose from. So, best of luck with your decisions!