Computer Games Development Qs.

klonere

I searched and didn't find anything so I thought I'd make a new thread.

Basically I'm looking at doing a Computer Games Development course (plenty floating around in the various IT's). My parents are trying to discourage me from doing it as it would narrow my options down quite a bit (valid point). But thats not the point. I definitely have a passion for games, not just for playing but finding out how there made. After completing Mass Effect and watching the credits roll (awesome song!) I knew I wanted my name up there one day (lul, dreams). I have quite a few ideas floating around my head for actual games (one even with a script written). Now my problem is maths; I'm not a mathematically minded person nor am I a huge fan of maths in school(I'm doing OL btw). I have heard people say that maths in college is more interesting. Plus I really wouldn't get any kicks out of programming per-se, more on the scripting/conceptualization/texturing/3D art.

My questions are:
Is it REALLY maths orientated?
Should I just do CS course (say at UCD) to keep my options open?
Would I be introduced to conceptualization/texturing/3D art?
Which IT would be best?
Are boobs God gift to man?

Thanks for any responses guys!

klonere

pickles_17

yes to all!

klonere

pickles_17 wrote: »

yes to all!

Which IT would be best?
Pickles Answer: Yes

Does not compute:pac:

RedXIV

klonere wrote: »

I searched and didn't find anything so I thought I'd make a new thread.

Basically I'm looking at doing a Computer Games Development course (plenty floating around in the various IT's). My parents are trying to discourage me from doing it as it would narrow my options down quite a bit (valid point).

You're parents are incorrect here. I'm doing computer games development in Carlow IT and when i finish i'll have a wider variety of disciplines i can get a job in than most graduates. I've done programming, networking, animation (not alot here), maths, web design and game design. Most graduates of computer courses are stuck to one discipline.

klonere wrote: »

But thats not the point. I definitely have a passion for games, not just for playing but finding out how there made. After completing Mass Effect and watching the credits roll (awesome song!) I knew I wanted my name up there one day (lul, dreams). I have quite a few ideas floating around my head for actual games (one even with a script written).

Yup, been there saw my name in Call of Duty: World at War and it was the best feeling ever. trust me its worth it

klonere wrote: »

Now my problem is maths; I'm not a mathematically minded person nor am I a huge fan of maths in school(I'm doing OL btw). I have heard people say that maths in college is more interesting. Plus I really wouldn't get any kicks out of programming per-se, more on the scripting/conceptualization/texturing/3D art.

Ummmm yup, maths are needed. But not the amount you learn in school. most of the stuff you'll need is Trigonometry, Matrixs and basic alegbra. If you can do those, you're sorted.

klonere wrote: »

My questions are:
Is it REALLY maths orientated?

not completely but quite alot of it is about maths.

klonere wrote: »

Should I just do CS course (say at UCD) to keep my options open?

You'll have more options in Games Development in Carlow, but its a tough course, some of the others though are just design courses and they WILL limit options. Computer Science is a good general course but you need to do more with it after you're finished

klonere wrote: »

Would I be introduced to conceptualization/texturing/3D art?

In my course yes, but not a huge amount. There is a 4 year animation course in Ballyfermot as far as i know which might be better?

klonere wrote: »

Which IT would be best?

I'm biased. I'd say go to the carlow course but it is very tough. we had 60+ in 1st year and have 9 left.

klonere wrote: »

Are boobs God gift to man?

yup

klonere wrote: »

Thanks for any responses guys!

klonere

Hope that helps

klonere

O.o at that dropout rate. What makes the course so tough? IS there an introductory maths course or any sort of help available through the college? As far as I've seen from the industry itself roles are very flexible and that once your 'in' so to speak you have a base job and then can contribute in other things i.e concept etc etc. Is this true?

Thanks a million, you've helped me more than all those propagandist open days:P

RedXIV

klonere wrote: »

O.o at that dropout rate. What makes the course so tough?

The main problem was people thinking that a course with "computer games" in the title was just playing games. As long as you go to classes, and don't put stuff to the last minute, you'll be grand. Anyone can pass if you want it. I'm proof

klonere wrote: »

IS there an introductory maths course or any sort of help available through the college?

We had a centre that helped with all aspects of the course in first year. It's alot harder to get that help in later years but if you can do the first year stuff, everything after that is theory. If you did physics in school, you'll be laughing.

klonere wrote: »

As far as I've seen from the industry itself roles are very flexible and that once your 'in' so to speak you have a base job and then can contribute in other things i.e concept etc etc. Is this true?

Ehhhhh, yes and no. While you usually are welcome to contribute ideas etc, if your a programmer, you're a programmer, likewise, if your an artist, your an artist.

klonere wrote: »

Thanks a million, you've helped me more than all those propagandist open days:P

No worries. Your best bet is going to the colleges though. you'll get more info if you can talk to students. If ya ever end up in carlow, let me know and i'll show you what it's REALLY like

Sweeno

RedXIV wrote:

Yup, been there saw my name in Call of Duty: World at War and it was the best feeling ever. trust me its worth it

You have actually worked on this title and got your name in the credits??

fair play if you have, im doing Entertainment Systems in WIT , games design and music technology, it splits into two courses after first year,In First year now and the course has only just been introduced so we kinda feel like guinea pigs, anyway im definitely going for games dev, just wondering how you got your name on the WAW credits? was it work experience? if so what kind of work were you doing, how did you manage to work for treyarch?

RedXIV

It was work Exp, yup. I was working with Activision in Dublin, i wasn't doing any development, i was helping coordinate localisation of the game. But it was really interesting. Building up the contact list was the best thing i did and thats what ultimately gets you jobs. It's not what you know, it's who you know.

Sweeno

deadly, didnt realise activision had dublin hq

doing work experience after 2nd year, maybe i can get my name on modern warfare 2

Edit: sry to OP for takin it offtopic... but im sure its interesting enough if you are seriously thinking of games development courses

RedXIV

yup, and make sure when you can start applying for work exp, you do. it can be tricky to get.

Sweeno

I presume your in your final year now doing final project, do you mind if i ask what you are doing for it? , just trying to get a feel for how in depth we will go in college ( i know its a different course, but like i said we are guinea pigs really so we decide ourselves ) its just that the only games dev we are doing is browser based flash games in 2d, dont really think this will get us anywhere in the industry really, we are doing other subjects like maths , Java , and some economics and stuff, kind of disapointed with the course so far

miece

im doing the computer games development in carlow it , i should be in second year but i failed programming due to leaving things to the last minute (dont do it kids!) overall the maths was grand and all the other subjects are pretty handy. there is a help service for first year students if you are struggling.

another thing sweeno, i was thinking of transfering to WIT to do Entertainment Systems and you are disappointed with the course? it looks good from the description on the website. are you doing a programming language like c++ or c#?

Sweeno

well im not completely disapointed with the course but its taking its time to get going , there was no games development module before christmas but we did have a fairly tough Java module, which we still have. We just started a module called High Level Games Development 2D, which is just going to be Flash with a bit of theory,the real stuff begins in second year i think. The music side of the course is also slow to start, but im in it for the games so i dont mind that too much.

Im not sure how this compares to the games dev course in carlow or elsewhere, but i just get the feeling that the lecturers are making it up as they go along to suit what they think we should learn (maybe not a bad thing), I cant really give a definitive assessment of the course yet,(it only begain last sept)so ask me again in 3 years time:D

miece

oh and how many points did u get in on?? just as a reference for myself

Zesty74

Before you start I'd advise having a good grip with DarkBasic tbh

Sweeno

miece wrote: »

oh and how many points did u get in on?? just as a reference for myself

this is the first year its bein done so it wasnt through the CAO , it was just an application form, i couldnt guess how many points it might be

miece

so u only have done java??

that sucks i thought you would have been doin c# or something