Train2Game

OriginalJonty · 30 Jun 2010 at 12:41

So I'm currently unemployed and I thought I would look into taking a new course. Train2Game caught my eye as I'm a massive gamer, been playing computer games since I was 5, and I love the industry. Looking through the site it looks interesting and the Games Designer course has caught my eye.

Before I commit though, I was wondering if any of you had experience with Train2Game. Is it a good course? How much would did it cost you? Did it help you get into the industry or a job with the skills you picked up?

I have requested information but they're taking their time getting back to me. Go on GD, help me out.

J.B · 30 Jun 2010 at 12:47

I think there are a couple of threads on here about that company. I dont have any experiance first hand of them.

The industry is not exactly void of talent, it's ultra competetive to get in to. Not to wee on your fire but Im not sure if these courses that advertise on the tele are all they make out to be.

Qdos · 30 Jun 2010 at 12:50

Hopefully it's ok to link to another forum (not a competitor as such)

http://forums.multiplay.co.uk/general-chat/70917-train-2-game

There's some feedback from students, the usual flaming etc, but it might help you decide whether or not its for you. From what I can tell, it's only just started, so there's no feedback from graduates. Personally, I'd look at doing that whilst working (hopefully in a related field) rather than counting on that to get you into the industry. As with any qualification, it's not guaranteed to get you a job.

Ahleckz · 30 Jun 2010 at 12:56

The University of Abertay has the countries leading gaming courses iirc so may be worth checking them out if you really want to get into it? Though, it would mean having to live in Dundee but they may do distance learning certificates.

Rroff · 30 Jun 2010 at 12:59

Train2Game = Avoid (The people running it don't really know much more than you and just "reading from the text book", you won't end up with any meaningful qualification and you could pickup the same amount of information for free/cheap using google).

As mentioned above if you seriously want to get into video game development the leading universities in this field are in Scotland.

Very few people have the skills required to be a game designer/developer - not many games these days are made by 1-2 people in their spare time/starting their own company. You need to find a field you have talent for and develop that to get into the industry whether it be programming, UI design, graphic design, 3D modelling, level design, audio design, etc.

marc512 · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:01

Ahleckz said:
The University of Abertay has the countries leading gaming courses iirc so may be worth checking them out if you really want to get into it? Though, it would mean having to live in Dundee but they may do distance learning certificates.

OMGOMGOMG im so going on that course because i live next to university of abertay basicly <3

http://www.abertay.ac.uk/studying/find/ug/gdpm/

fail. to high skilled for me

yer_averagejoe · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:03

Ahleckz said:
it would mean having to live in Dundee but they may do distance learning certificates.

Lol.

I graduated from Abertay's flagship Computer Games Technology course last year and have held a job for a year (though my contract is soon to come to an end!). I was one of the lucky ones as I got a 1st. Plenty of people I know who got 2:1s are still looking for jobs - this is how competitive the industry is. If people with decent degrees are struggling to find jobs, I'm not sure how an internet based diploma would look on a CV.. You'd probably end up working in QA (games tester) which is a starting point but it tends to pay terribly

If you're serious about this, look for degree level qualifications

spicypixel · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:05

Wouldn't be so bad if their website showed current gen graphics, would give you some hope they were able to teach you useful things. Sadly they do not.

OriginalJonty · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:07

Well thanks for the info. I think I'll avoid Train2Game and, for the moment, any degree courses having just completed my degree. I'll have a look about for the time being and think hard about if I can see myself in the industry.

Burnsy2023 · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:08

To get into the games industry, you need to be a programmer, an artist or a tester. It's very unlikly that you'll get hired as a 'designer', it takes a lot of time before you get the responsilbity to design games.

Rroff · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:09

yer_averagejoe said:
Lol.

I graduated from Abertay's flagship Computer Games Technology course last year and have held a job for a year (though my contract is soon to come to an end!). I was one of the lucky ones as I got a 1st. Plenty of people I know who got 2:1s are still looking for jobs - this is how competitive the industry is. If people with decent degrees are struggling to find jobs, I'm not sure how an internet based diploma would look on a CV.. You'd probably end up working in QA (games tester) which is a starting point but it tends to pay terribly

If you're serious about this, look for degree level qualifications

Problem (for you/them) is its still a field where experience counts - if you started out say modding, worked on a well known game/mod, maybe did some work for an established studio, etc., you can pretty much walk in any door without any qualifications a long way ahead of someone with a degree.

Skillmister · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:19

Burnsy2023 said:
To get into the games industry, you need to be a programmer, an artist or a tester. It's very unlikly that you'll get hired as a 'designer', it takes a lot of time before you get the responsilbity to design games.

This. I do games design at university and from speaking to past students and current lecturers getting a job in the industry at all is very very competitive even for the 'smaller' jobs.

Bloodshot · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:19

Burnsy2023 said:
To get into the games industry, you need to be a programmer, an artist or a tester. It's very unlikly that you'll get hired as a 'designer', it takes a lot of time before you get the responsilbity to design games.

Incorrect. Totally possible to go straight in as a Level Designer, you just have to have a portfolio that shows you're actually capable of creating compelling gameplay.

To the OP; I'd avoid Train2Game - even though they are "backed" by TIGA, there is a lot of resentment towards the people running the course within the industry itself as the general feeling is that the content they "teach" is of no use.

If you want some more info about Games Design or the industry in general, hit me up =).

Rroff · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:37

I think burnsy was referring to a project design level/project or field leader rather than specific design aspects such as level design, audio design, etc.

For me the joys of working in video game development have definitely gone, very few developers pushing the boundaries any more. 9/10 you'll be using established implementation methods to knock stuff up in a slightly modified unreal engine or something based off the bigworld engine.

Bloodshot · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:42

Rroff said:
I think burnsy was referring to a project design level/project or field leader rather than specific design aspects such as level design, audio design, etc.

Doesn't sound like it:

To get into the games industry, you need to be a programmer, an artist or a tester.

Burnsy2023 · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:42

Rroff said:
I think burnsy was referring to a project design level/project or field leader rather than specific design aspects such as level design, audio design, etc.

A lot of people seem to think that they can go in a design a game from end to end. That, from what people in the industry have told me if far from reality. Like has been said, everything in this indurstry goes on reputation and experience.

Bloodshot · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:46

Rroff said:
I think burnsy was referring to a project design level/project or field leader rather than specific design aspects such as level design, audio design, etc.

For me the joys of working in video game development have definitely gone, very few developers pushing the boundaries any more. 9/10 you'll be using established implementation methods to knock stuff up in a slightly modified unreal engine or something based off the bigworld engine.

Working on small indie games, social games, iPhone games etc. still have that same sense of "something new". For the time being anyway. Working on AAA blockbuster games can get a bit soul destroying; working on the same game for 4 or 5 years isn't ideal. But then, you're making games... so I really don't think there is TOO much to moan about.

Bloodshot · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:48

Burnsy2023 said:
A lot of people seem to think that they can go in a design a game from end to end. That, from what people in the industry have told me if far from reality. Like has been said, everything in this indurstry goes on reputation and experience.

Kind of true, large games have a large number of designers working on lots of different elements of the game. System Design, UI Design, Level Design etc. Level Design is pretty much the only entry level design role; some companies do offer Junior Designer positions that include System Design but they are pretty rare.

Lead Designers, Game Directors etc. are obviously for very experienced staff.

Rroff · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:54

These days to be in a lead design position you need to have experience in all the major areas programming/scripting, level design, art, etc. so you know the pitfalls, what is and isn't feasible and how to keep an eye on the bigger picture without becoming bogged down in the detail which has killed many a promising project.

As burnsy says many people seem to think they can get a qualification in "game design" and jump straight into this role - I see it quite a lot.

Bloodshot · 30 Jun 2010 at 13:57

Rroff said:
These days to be in a lead design position you need to have experience in all the major areas programming/scripting, level design, art, etc. so you know the pitfalls, what is and isn't feasible and how to keep an eye on the bigger picture without becoming bogged down in the detail which has killed many a promising project.

That's totally not true. I don't know one Lead Designer who was also a programmer and artist at some point - they are different disciplines entirely. Yes, it's good to have some knowledge so you're not aiming for the unrealistic in the games design, but full on experience? Nuh uh.