games developer??

I'm just about to graduate from BSc Computer Games Technology (yes a real degree). The course itself isn't amazing, there is a lot of self learning, but the resources are there. I want to be a 3d modeler for games but it is VERY competitive and after 3 years my skills are still no where near industry standard. You need an amazing portfolio, which I am going to have to work on after I graduate.

Luckily just before Christmas, I secured a part time job at a local games development studio (made a few big games), and now in talks with securing a permanent position for when I graduate.

You need to decide which path you want to take (programming/modelling/design), and stick to it. I hate programming but it's probably the best choice as there are more options job wise.
 
What does 3D modelling for games actually entail? I assume you have to be a decent programmer and know something about maths and the like, or is it not explicitly required?
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3D modelling can be character modelling, environment, asset (chairs tables barrels), vehicle and more. You don't need any knowledge of programming for just 3D modelling.

Oops double post fail
 
_Gizka_ said:
What does 3D modelling for games actually entail? I assume you have to be a decent programmer and know something about maths and the like, or is it not explicitly required?
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knowledge of programming isn't really necessary to be a good 3D Modeller, nor do you need awesome maths skills.

There are decent degrees out there that aren't a load of rubbish.

Really depends what you want to do OP, theres lots of things that make up a game. Do you want to do the art? Do you want to do the audio? Do you want to work on the technical innards, or programming?
 
It depends what you want to do "Games Developer" is very vague, there are multiple aspects to making a game, design, project management, 3D environment, 3D Character, Audio, UI Design, Programming and etc.

Now you can do a general games design/production course at many universities however these are very generic. You will find you do a little bit of everything but don’t master any one aspect of creating games. This is great if you are not sure what aspect you want to do, as you get to try everything out.

However I would suggest you work out what you want to do beforehand and look for a course in that. You will be much better prepared for the industry if you do this, as your course will focus on one thing and give you chance to get good at it. There are many courses in programming, 3D creation etc.

Do you have any idea what exactly you would like to do?

Jcb33.
 
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chaosdestro0 said:
Just do maths or physics [...] you probably could get into the games industry with either one.
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Not with the degree alone, there's the small matter of needing a fair amount of programming knowledge and experience under your belt.

RDM said:
Try to avoid Games Development degrees though, most of them are pretty useless. Though I hear that Abertay do a very good one.
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I know that course and IMO you'd still come out better doing a *good* CS or Software-Engineering degree while pursuing game dev on the side.
 
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I've worked in the games industry in two separate periods, both as a C++ developer, and a 3d developer/designer. (Neither recently though :) )

First off, you need to think very specifically about what area of games development you want to work in. Do you want to be a programmer, developing 3d engines or AI routines? Do you want to be a level designer, working with 3d environments and designing puzzles? Do you want to be a graphic artist, working on concept art, textures, and overall art direction? Do you want to be an overall game designer, designing concepts for games, essentially a producer role? All of these are very different roles with different skills, and will affect your next steps.

The best thing you can do, if you're serious, is get started right now. Make games, and concentrate on showcasing the areas you want to specialise in. You want to be a 3d programmer? Write a rendering engine, with lighting, shading, occlusion and so forth. Want to be an AI programmer? Write an AI that plays a game intelligently, and even learns. If you want to be a game designer, showcase your flair for innovative ideas.

There are many technologies out there that make building and deploying a game very easy (Flash, Java etc) - what you're doing is building a portfolio that will get you your first job or two.

Taking a degree in this sort of stuff can be useful. The programming side will be out of date (bear in mind the amount of time it takes to write a university course before it's even taught - by the time you graduate you will already be at least 5 years out of date), game design concepts and the art/graphic side change less drastically. However, if you're serious about this and spend 40 hours a week working on your portfolio, you will be a MUCH stronger candidate in 3 years time than someone who's taken a degree. It will also show real dedication and interest in your craft, and that's what games houses want to see, people who love games and love making games.

If you're thinking about degree vs work, think about whether you, as a games developer, would hire someone who'd just finished a degree, or someone like Notch (who made minecraft), or the guy behind foddy.net even, or one of the popular flash game developers. You'd go for the guy with the portfolio, every time.
 
I wish I had paid attention to my uncle when he said take maths as an A-level. So I suggest get some good learning in the maths area.

Also If you're thinking about university. University of Teesside is pretty good for courses like these.

http://www.tees.ac.uk/schools/scm/
 
Cant go wrong with Maths, everywhere seems to be crying out for decent software engineers. The difficult bit is getting through the door and hanging on for that first 6 months learning everything you said you could do in the interview but in reality you just read about it on wikipedia :)

So as much qualifications you can do to open that door, if you dont have a degree but think your self good enough just LIE to open the door back it up with all the little projects you have done MOD teams, maps design etc. Impress the engineers not folk from HR who in effect are just there to fill in the holiday forms. If the engineer thinks your good enough and bright enough you will win through. The first step is the hardest so dont give up and education education education.

Or you could just blag your way up the ladder like i did :)
 
RDM said:
Possibly not, a maths or physics degree may be a better bet or an art degree. Try to avoid Games Development degrees though, most of them are pretty useless. Though I hear that Abertay do a very good one.
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Best in Scotland when it comes to gaining qualifications for computer/games industry.I imagine it would be pretty hard to get into with the amount of people who want to get into the industry.
I will apply for abertay or napier when finish my hnd.
 
sp1ke said:
Software engineering.

Imagine its competitive as hell too? every kid wants to become games dev.
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Every area is competitive, getting yourself a head of everyone else pre uni is what you need to do to be honest. Decide on an area you want to get into it and work on that, if that be coding, deisgn what ever.
 
do you want to program games or design games ?

as for it being so competitive to get a place on uni courses ... well yes it is now , but will it be when its 9k a year ?
 
A portfolio of work is the key really. I'm currently at university studying computer science geared towards games technology. The course I am taking is three years with an optional placement year. I decided to take the placement, had a few interviews but was unlucky. I'm putting it down to the fact that I did not have a portfolio, I had nothing to show them. To be honest although I passed the first and second years with a 2:1 I was quite lazy, I put work off a bit, hence why no portfolio was produced!

I therefore decided that if I was to get anywhere after uni I would need some sort of portfolio so I am currently taking a year out (deferring) and working on a portfolio whilst working. I am so glad I did! My programming skills have come on so much and it's really motivated me to keep producing things to show on my portfolio.

So yeah, I feel the key to getting into the industry is a strong portfolio! :)
 
I'm not working in the games industry but if I was aiming to become a games developer* I'd likely go for a maths or physics degree (maybe maths and computer science) and spend a lot of my spare time hacking away at C++.
If for some reason you changed your mind further down the line, didn't like the industry etc.. you'd have a whole bunch of other rather well paid careers where you could put your applied maths & C++ skills to use.


*(assuming by developer you mean the guys who write the code rather than design art work, levels etc..)
 
It's not really a competitive industry in my experience. Despite the fact everyone seems to want to do it, very few are actually capable... Generally the hardcore nerd types that start writing code at a young age. I refer specifically to the technical roles of course. Design just isn't something you'll be able to walk in to unless you're luckier than lucky.

Anyway, you wouldn't want to work in the games industry as it's tantamount to slave labour. Long hours, weekends and difficult, difficult coding. I've worked with\known some ex-high profile games types and they all seem to say the same thing. However they may well be jaded to some extent!

Just to reiterate; computer science\maths\physics degree. It's the best (and arguably only) way. Games design degrees aren't worth poo.
 
train2game :( I hope your trolling... you'd be better off pulling articles/tutorials from places like gamedev.net :S

I have more than 10 years game development experience and now going it on my own in my spare time - not a fan of the direction most of the studios have taken (I like to try things outside the box which was accepted in the late 90s but no longer tolerated in most mainstream studios).

Best place to start right now imo is to pick up unrealed, start making some basic levels, which will introduce you to scripting also and give you the start of an idea of how programming is used in game development as well as a basic idea of the artistic and modelling side, then find what your good at and look to specialise in that area.
 
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Train2Game.... Oh dear. Heard A LOT of bad things about those guys. I've been in the industry (QA, Marketing and most recently Design) for about seven years and no matter what anyone tells you, portfolio will always be more important than any degree.

That being said, not everyone is cut out for game development and if you want to go and do something else, having a degree will be far more beneficial. Seeing as I'm a designer and I've got no degree - I'm pretty much stuck in games forever now :D.

In short:

Want to be a designer? Make levels in unreal and create a kick ass portfolio.
Want to be a programmer? Learn to code and create a kick ass portfolio (make a game, make an engine etc.)
Want to be an artist? Learn to draw and create a kick ass portfolio (2D, 3D, low poly, high poly etc.)
Want to be an animator? Learn to animate.... you get the idea.

If you're good, you'll be fine. If not; well... maybe games isn't for you.
 
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