Hi all, I am curious about what kind of education game companies are looking for. I live in Montreal and am thinking about going to a technical school called Herzing. My long-term goal is to work for either BioWare or UbiSoft. Is it plausible to get a career in video game design that way..?

The way I see it, and that's from an amateur level-designers point of view, is that just doing the stuff and getting known with it will get you further than an official education. Of course, education shows you're able to get through things you may not always like and that you're capable of finishing something, but having a good portfolio is probably much more valuable, as it shows you can finish stuff as well, plus it shows you're really driven to do it because you spend a lot of your free time into it.
I've seen several people getting into the industry like that, without game-specific educations.

Of course, that's my point of view, and I think a game education couldn't hurt.

That is great to hear. Thanx alot for the advice, I appreciate it! Your portfolio looks pretty nice too!

Education on games design can become tricky, i know im in collage and i teach it, and im only a student. My headteacher asked me if i could do a small class on games design for a full term. So im happy teaching my skills.

Game design is broken up into alot of pieaces you need to learn. for example:

you need to be a could writer
good idealist
maybe a good drawer
3d artist might come in
programmer if you wanted to.

If you want some pointers or tips on game design dont hesitate to PM or email me at sfallsopp@hotmail.com

my site:

www.solarsystemstudios.com

My portfolios:

http://photobucket.com/albums/v627/SASMOD/
http://photobucket.com/albums/b327/MafiaMMORPG/
http://photobucket.com/albums/d52/solarsystemstudios/ (Check out the toywarz album, it was rated best for 2005)

*Also brand new and hot off my hardrive, my new destruction of city models and scenes (Also my CG Society Project):

http://photobucket.com/albums/d52/solarsystemstudios/Destruction%20City%20-%20CG%20Project%203/?sc=1&multi=5

There are oodles upon oodles of threads on this site where the first post is basically "I want to get a job making videogames; where do I start?" A little searching (button's in the upper-right corner) should net you plenty of information. Good luck!

You'll need it.

Wow, thanks alot guys! I really appreciate all the help!

Might be good to know what sort of job you want, bytheway. Such large studios have much more need for specialists than smaller companies. Are you going for any job just to get into the industry, or do you have something specific in mind?

I was looking to get into the art direction aspect of things, and maybe some programming too. I'm more interested in the 3d rendering and creating the textures. I'd be happy with anything more or less, but if I can, I'd like to specialize in the art aspect.

Quick edit, I dont know if this helps.. I am 24 years old, don't have alot of experience in this field yet, but am very adept at electronics and computers. I can adapt very well, and quickly. I have always enjoyed tweaking things I create until every little detail is perfect and measures up to my expectations. I love sitting for hours until I get the results I am looking for. So for someone like me, who is 24, with no experience as of yet.. is it still a plausible option for me to get into doing the thing I have always had an interest in doing and be sucessful at it?

My option right now is to take the 18 month long program for Video Game Design at Herzing College here in Montreal.

Of course during the course, I would be doing everything in my power to develop an original demo of my own to send out to all the game companies.