Computer Games Technology Course

[gingerj]

Yeah it would be probably better doing computer science rather than games technology. But on a similar note, If i still don't like the math i should probably give it some thought first.. What about computer animation or web design? Hwo do they compare to programming?

u really sound like u aint got a clue what u wanna do

[JamesS]

Yeah it would be probably better doing computer science rather than games technology. But on a similar note, If i still don't like the math i should probably give it some thought first.. What about computer animation or web design? Hwo do they compare to programming?

There's very little crossover between the art sides of game development and the programming, so it's hard to compare. FWIW, you'd earn slightly more as a programmer. But you'll probably also do more late nights.

I wouldn't worry too much about the maths stuff. Certainly, if you were set on doing graphics or (especially) physics coding, you'll need very good maths skills, but there're other areas like gameplay coding or AI where you'll use maths a lot less. Depends what you want to do, really.

[Zanza]

Web design is alot lot easier than anything you will be doing with C++ and a graphics API, but it can still include some fairly complicated programming, it really depends on what languages your using and what your designing.

Computer animation, would include using programs like 3D Studio Max and Maya, I presume, but it could still include alot of maths for 3D graphics, although the maths isn't really that tricky, as long as you make the effort to understand it.

Make an appointment to see the lecturers involved with the courses, they can probably give you a much better impression of what the courses will involve.

[oblivion_6]

programming isnt difficult and the maths involved is nothing I would rank as complex, the most complicated thing ive ever done in programming was some modular stuff to do with check sums and that was it.

Piece of piss

[kyo_244]

u really sound like u aint got a clue what u wanna do

yeah im starting to wonder myself now.... not too good at making importand decisions im afraid.. and im supposed to apply before january!
I've even considered cinema, media and digital art.

[kyo_244]

programming isnt difficult and the maths involved is nothing I would rank as complex, the most complicated thing ive ever done in programming was some modular stuff to do with check sums and that was it.

Piece of piss

Im sure ur much better at maths than i am oblivion!

[M.M.S.]

yeah im starting to wonder myself now.... not too good at making importand decisions im afraid.. and im supposed to apply before january!
I've even considered cinema, media and digital art.

Just remember, playing games, and making them are very different things. One is enjoyable and the other isn't. Also the latter will take away all your free time to actaully play them.

If you're dead set though (which it doesn't sound liek you are) then i'd say go for a 'games' course despite what people say, because it'll keep you sane compared to the utter dullness of Comp science...

[Flabio]

Just remember, playing games, and making them are very different things. One is enjoyable and the other isn't.

I wouldn't go quite that far.

[bangaio]

Sounds like you are heading down the route of courses in things you enjoy. Time to go into patronising mode:

You are only what 17-18 at the moment and who knows how your views wiull change along with what you want to do in the future. My advice to anyone these days unles they have a true desire to be say a doctor, mechani cal engineer or architect etc (ie tru vocational courses) is to get a good degree from a good uni. WHat are your grades in (A/AS i assume). What if you change your mind? Just because you enjoy the cinema, web and games doesn't make you cut out for careers in them. What counts to graduate employers these days is (as it always has been) redbrick uni / good uni, good degree, **** hot a levels and a well rounded indivivual.
I just think it's a shame people are expected to narrow their choices in life so much so early on but getting say an English degree puts you in line for so many jobs whereas a games tech thing is really only open to one such career. If you are set on computery type things then go for computer science, if not then maybe talk to connexions at your school or LEA.

[kyo_244]

Sounds like you are heading down the route of courses in things you enjoy. Time to go into patronising mode:

You are only what 17-18 at the moment and who knows how your views wiull change along with what you want to do in the future. My advice to anyone these days unles they have a true desire to be say a doctor, mechani cal engineer or architect etc (ie tru vocational courses) is to get a good degree from a good uni. WHat are your grades in (A/AS i assume). What if you change your mind? Just because you enjoy the cinema, web and games doesn't make you cut out for careers in them. What counts to graduate employers these days is (as it always has been) redbrick uni / good uni, good degree, **** hot a levels and a well rounded indivivual.
I just think it's a shame people are expected to narrow their choices in life so much so early on but getting say an English degree puts you in line for so many jobs whereas a games tech thing is really only open to one such career. If you are set on computery type things then go for computer science, if not then maybe talk to connexions at your school or LEA.

What about IT in general rather than computer science since im not too into maths..

[ekucz123]

Just remember, playing games, and making them are very different things. One is enjoyable and the other isn't. Also the latter will take away all your free time to actaully play them.

If you're dead set though (which it doesn't sound liek you are) then i'd say go for a 'games' course despite what people say, because it'll keep you sane compared to the utter dullness of Comp science...

I would agree with the point that making games isn't enjoyable. I'm a level designer and i find that now all I do is pick away at bad design, annoying AI in games- being in the games industry can have the effect of killing your love for games.

[kyo_244]

I would agree with the point that making games isn't enjoyable. I'm a level designer and i find that now all I do is pick away at bad design, annoying AI in games- being in the games industry can have the effect of killing your love for games.

Heh i suppose its a bit like food! Love eatin, Hate cookin

I'm really gonna have to figure this one out for myself me thinks

[bangaio]

What about IT in general rather than computer science since im not too into maths..

Yes, can work. CS graduates will traditionally go down the route of programming, developing the software, not necessarily designing or planning, ofetn in some places just given a design spec and told to build it. IT ... i'd say the other end is BIT which shunts people down the route of business analyst. They'd be the interface if you like between a business user and the developers as programmers can often be a bit difficvult for business lines to work with.

Best to point out that this is based on 5 years in banking but on the money side of things and I'm now a teacher so hey - maybe not the best person to advise on computer science but I did start out on a CS degree and dropped it very quickly for a quirky sort of pseudo IT / sociollogy degree that was a BSc, I did ok from it but I know plenty of people in the industry from CS and BIT backgrounds - both are equally valid.

As an aside the reason I dropped CS was.....yep you guessed it, the maths. It was horrid and I realised I didn't want to be a programmer but for some it's great.

In my new hat I really believe passionatly that careers advice and the A level and Uni system in this country sucks massivly and would dearly love to work more with people to help them realise how many options are out there and what would be best for them. The advice you get seems so poor and based on a 40+ year old system that just doesn't work any more. Rant over!

[kyo_244]

So whats the verdict then? Should i go for it?

[Zanza]

If your dead set on it just go for it, if you don't like it after the first year just change to a different course, plenty of people do.