IF you had to choose
polygon
If you had to choose what school you would go to for any part of the game design what would be your choice?
im just looking for a little advice cuz im really in to games but i have no exp in actually designing.
im just looking for a little advice cuz im really in to games but i have no exp in actually designing.
Replies
It worked for me, and many others. Save yourself some cash and just learn at home.
For money.
So you don't have to pay out of it...
Other than that there's free alternatives like Blender, xNormal, and cheaper programs like Nevercenter Silo which are superb.
otherwise...you can do a lot on your own.
Polycount is mostly artists, and you are getting artist feedback.
Design is different than art, and you'd probably want to do something different.
So yea, figure out what you want to do before figuring out what school to go to to learn it.
However, truly the only thing I learned there were basics. Past the basic working knowledge of Maya, I have learned almost everything else to these boards and others like it. So, if you know nothing of 3D design, maybe a school isn't a bad choice to have someone standing by and teaching you this stuff. If you already have a good working knowledge, I think that practicing and research would take you most the way.
Also it will save you something to the tune of at least $40K.
if you think a teacher is going to be able to tell you everything you know you`ed be hard pressed to prove this true. on the other hand teachers are awesome for pushing you in the right dir.
If you want to program, learn to program. Many schools have a course for this. Or teach yourself. Get a book.
If you want to do game design (not art, don't confuse them), create some demos. Start a mod. Write numerous design documents. Read books on the topic.
For software, do what everyone else has done. But don't expect them to admit it.
Welcome to polycount.
Teachers may not teach you just enough to steal their jobs. Learning the foundations are more important if you're an artist, anyone can man a 3d app behind a screen.
What? What does any of that even mean? And why did you quote my post?
I like your style.
Actually, I'm an AiPittsburgh graduate and I found work at a AAA studio within months of graduating.
If you're choosing to pursue a higher education leading to a job in the Game Industry, be sure to really look at their course outline. Like Ely said, you want to find a school that has a solid base in the traditional arts. You can always learn the 3D/Computer stuff on the side....trolling forums, picking up books, etc.
Bottom line, no program out there is going to make you a marketable game artist. Only you can do that. Whatever road you decide to go down to achieve that goal is up to you, but you better be fully dedicated to it, otherwise you'll have a very expensive piece of paper. I work next to and know people who graduated from an Art Institute, FullSail, GuildHall, various other art schools, and people who simply learned at their own pace, in their own time...with no degree. It boils down to the individual's dedication to their career path.
Whatever you feel works best for you, GO GO GO!
So don't feel like you need to go to some prestigious school just because it's prestigious.
With most school/courses you get out of it what you put into it.
Learn the core stuff as best you can because that's really the most time consuming stuff.
Most art schools are pricey as all hell and most of my friends that graduated are still paying off their debts which are upwards to 30-50k.
I did a state school (4yr Univ, i had no plans of the game industry at the time and graduated with a New Media/Graphic Design degree) then took a 1 yr long comm college course on 3DS Max, and another course on Maya after graduating. I paid off the community courses at the time i took them (they were cheap like $1k for the whole thing). College was 12-18k upon graduating. School is almost paid off and I'm rocking it up.
This is probably how I got my initial skillz.
15% school
50% online competitions
30% close friends' critiques
5% other
B
2nd'd
http://www.vfs.com/
I already work in the industry, but am planning on taking some traditional art courses to further improve my skills, though I do teach myself with books, etc. and not to mention learning things from coworkers, fellow Polycounters, et al.
I'm attempting to teach Jonathan how to properly interact with humans. So far...no luck.
Much to learn, this "social interaction" thing.
That isn't always true. I had a '3D modeling for games' teacher who desperately wanted to push everyone in the NURBS direction.
I graduated from the Academy of Art in '02. Back then, the 3D courses were almost all geared towards film, so I ended up taking illustration and industrial design courses because I knew I wanted to work in games at the time. Things may have changed now. But regardless, I really enjoyed my time at the school and learned a ton. I didn't know they offered online courses now but like everyone is saying, don't do that. Part of the appeal of going to a school like the Academy is being surrounded by students from all over the world with the same interests as you and being in a major metropolitan area like SF.
On money and work and stuff: Art school is a full time job that will eat up hours and hours and hours of your time. If you can't commit 100% then don't do it. Period.
If you don't enjoy programming (you'll know by sophomore year), then swap to a major in fine arts with a minor in Computer Science.
Formal training in those subjects will provide an ideal background for game development.
Create games in your spare time, outside of class. Constantly.
Don't study game-industry-specific tools. Our tools change from year to year anyway. Focus on algorithms, artificial intelligence, color theory... you'll be using those skills for decades, on every game you create.
very true though it's not for everybody. Also it's 10 times easier to find a job as technical artist than modelling/texturing artist.
no no no, that's not a reason. Go to university to get drunk and have sex with girls.
win.
If you going to goto a game design program make sure the teachers have industry experience, shipped titles so they aren't teaching from a book and have no clue about industry standards.
Pick whichever engine you like the most.
Join the respective Mod-Making communities. And see which ones you like the most.
(From what I understand Epic and Valve have the most active mod making communities).
Unreal allows for greater ease of use, but Hammer has far greater control (more from what I've heard, not from actually trying them extensively).
If you TRULY enjoy it, then drop the $$$ on a school. If you think of it as a tedious chore to write those kinds of documents, and seek the necessary critiques, then Game Design likely isn't for you.