Hi to all, i am asking here to ask you some suggestions about my future of game programmer. I am graduating in Computer Sciences (University of Genova, Italy) in February and after that i will transfer to UK (Cambridge i think) where want to start working in Games Industry and maybe get some Master or Specialization in Games Programming (even a good Master in Computer Sciences will be fine if it helps my skills)... Do you think it's a good idea to continue my studies on games programming related stuff? There are good Schools near Cambridge and it's worth it? What's about the costs? Thanks for reading this :)

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Original post by ufinii Hi to all, i am asking here to ask you some suggestions about my future of game programmer. I am graduating in Computer Sciences (University of Genova, Italy) in February and after that i will transfer to UK (Cambridge i think) where want to start working in Games Industry and maybe get some Master or Specialization in Games Programming (even a good Master in Computer Sciences will be fine if it helps my skills)... Do you think it's a good idea to continue my studies on games programming related stuff? There are good Schools near Cambridge and it's worth it? What's about the costs? Thanks for reading this :)

There are some notes about deciding on a school that are pretty accurate. (Read all the FAQs there ... they will do you good.)

As far as how you "want to start working in Games Industry", that's something else entirely. There are the breaking in to the industry pages here on gamedev that should give you some insights.

If you really want to be a game developer, you don't need a big-name degree (although a degree is pretty much required these days). You don't need a degree from a game-specific school.

You DO need:
* a college degree
* a good portfolio or demo disc
* a solid understanding of the topic you want to work in

frob.

Well, thanks a lot for the reply.

My degree in computer sciences is pretty good (even if it lacks in Artificial Intelligence) and i would really like to get a postgraduate MsC (only if it's worth it).

About the portfolio what you mean? I'm still a student and all the projects i worked on aren't really games-related... For final prove i'm working on a Portal-Based engine (a levels editor + Portals & PVS implementation and a simple visualization tool) and this is my first work in this topic...

Do you think this is enough or i will have to develop some games before getting into the Games Industry? I am really really motivated working in it so i will do everything needed :)

Thanks again!

Datascope has some excellent information for UK graduates wanting to get into the industry. It even has a selection of example demos that graduates have used to show their skills and inevitably get jobs.

Edit: Sorry about the bad linking

By coincidence I just got offered a job through DataScope. I turned it down though.

Sorry this has nothing to do with the topic, except that in my opinion a CS degree and a good demo should be all you need.

Thanks for all the answers...

About the Game Development School... My friend working in Lionhead told me that almost all the schools you can find in UK aren't good...

What you think about it?

jagex dose not make any good games but I think its a good company to start with (they think taht rune scape is very good :) )

Well... Anyways about the Demo... I am preparing a simple Portal-Based engine with PVS for Graduation Final Prove... It will include a simple level editor (rectangular rooms) and a simple visualizator...

If i will get satisfied with that maybe i will try to make it into a Descent-like game.

Do you think i really need to make it a real game to get into the industry?