Hello, long time reader, first time poster. (Actually, second time, but eh.) I don't want to name the college itself, but I am currently enrolled in a 'Game Design' school, and the cutoff date for withdrawing without having to pay supply or term costs is fast approaching. The city is nice, the school as well, but I'm having a hard time justifying the cost of tuition (upwards of 75,000 USD) with the degree it would earn me. Also, the course rigor seems light compared with traditional schools, or even with the studying I would accomplish in that time on my own, without a student loan loaming over me afterward. Anyway, that's just a little backstory. My question is, just in your opinion, would I be better off using this time to prepare a portfolio on my own, or indebting myself to this school for the 'Bachelor of Arts in Game Design'? Either way, I'm going to be spending the next few years programming, and will most definitely have a demo or two ready by the end of that time. Thank you in advance; your input is appreciated~

You've limited yourself to two options: Continuing a monumentally expensive and questionably useful degree program, or dropping out of school altogether. Unlimit yourself.

Also, you may as well mention the particular college. Others among us may have had experience either going there or evaluating applicants who have.

Agreed (with sneftel), but what is preventing you from going and getting a much cheaper, more useful BS in Computer Science WHILE you build your game portfolio?

Quote: Original post by smitty1276
Agreed (with sneftel), but what is preventing you from going and getting a much cheaper, more useful BS in Computer Science WHILE you build your game portfolio?

This not only makes sense but is by far the most common way that people get into the games industry.

In modern days you will basically not get through the door without a college degree unless your portfolio is truly astounding. (By astounding I mean you are able to do things that no one can do in realtime; or you have developed an entirely new technique for <insert game system here>).

The only non-degree holding candidates that generally make it past the resume screen are people who already have professional experience working in games.

-me

I'm confused - you're attending a design school, which implies you want to be a game designer. But you also mention you'll be programming some stuff for a portfolio, which implies you're after a programming position. Which is it?

Quote: Original post by smitty1276
Agreed (with sneftel), but what is preventing you from going and getting a much cheaper, more useful BS in Computer Science WHILE you build your game portfolio?

I gotta agree too. Plus if for some reason you cannot get your foot in the door of the gaming indrustry right away, you'll have more options to get a job in computer programming outside the game industry.

My son wants to get into the game industry as a software engineer. He plans on getting his BS in Computer Science at UCF and then perhaps go to one of the specialty game schools. Smart move.

Quote: Original post by OrangyTang
I'm confused - you're attending a design school, which implies you want to be a game designer. But you also mention you'll be programming some stuff for a portfolio, which implies you're after a programming position. Which is it?

The "game design schools" use the term game design to mean "work in the games industry". But they offer courses that are specific to what we call: design, engineering, etc.

-me

You could, in fact, skip college, but it'd be risky considering you'd have to create the next best thing since Google for one to even consider hiring you. I wouldn't go down this path if I were you. You'd lose a social and personal experience that one develops by going to college. You'd also sacrifice the chance to acquire a wider and larger arsenal of knowledge. Your best bet is to pursue a BS in Computer Science with a minor or double major in math or physics. If you still want the easy way out, just take Computer Science. If you want the REAL easy way, win the lottery. If you want to avoid all work except about three joules of energy, pull the trigger (energy to pull it, not the muzzle energy).

Save yourself the money and get a "real" degree.

It's not impossible to get a job without a degree but it is harder because some companies won't even consider you - your application will hit the trash before anyone even looks at your portfolio. Like others I recommend getting a CS Degree instead.

IMO, game design degrees are nearly universally complete frauds. While there are some courses available at reputable and established universities such as the Guildhall at SMU(and I exclude them from being fraudulent,) programs from the likes of ITT, Devry and others are suspect at best.

I have a general rule about colleges: Never go to a college that has television commercials. The rule applies double if they advertise during episodes of Jerry Springer. If they can spend that amount of money advertising, rather than improving the curriculum, then you can be certain that they're more concerned with their bottom line than with educating you.