Train2Game

[Tunney]

As mentioned by a previous poster, the best place to start these days is on smartphones. Games for smartphones can be written entirely by one person and can be self-published to a large audience.

There's not a great deal of money in it for the average dev but it's a good way to gain experience and get yourself noticed.

 

[Rroff]

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.

In any respectable studio you will need to be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of overlapping areas for any lead role.


EDIT: This has been behind the break down of a number of higher profile UK studios recently - people in lead roles without the experience required going forward into a new era of game development - who got there for legacy reasons.

 

[Bloodshot]

In any respectable studio you will need to be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of overlapping areas for any lead role.

Well obviously the three largest studios in Cambridge are not very respectable!

 

[Rroff]

Frontier, MS and Sony? I'd be suprised if you got a lead role in any of those these days without a solid working understanding of overlapping areas.

 

[Bloodshot]

Frontier, MS and Sony? I'd be suprised if you got a lead role in any of those these days without a solid working understanding of overlapping areas.

Frontier, Ninja Theory and Jagex. Put it this way, our Game Director and Lead Designer don't have any working experience making 3D models . They have some knowledge in those areas with pertain to technical limitations and the like, but they are not artists!

 

[Rroff]

Can I assume you work for Ninja Theory then? I can't imagine (no offense meant) anyone listing them in the big 3 of cambridge otherwise.

 

[Bloodshot]

Can I assume you work for Ninja Theory then? I can't imagine (no offense meant) anyone listing them in the big 3 of cambridge otherwise.

No, Frontier. Sony Cambridge do PSP games and I didn't even know we had a Microsoft here. Ninja Theory created Heavenly Sword; was quite a big title for the PS3 (so they are probably more well known than the Sony Studio).

 

[Rroff]

Ah nice - elite is one of the coolest games ever so kudos for getting in there

Admittedly I'm out of touch with the game development industry these days but last time I looked Sony had a big presence in Cambridge and MS was setting up something there too so I assumed it would be a big player being MS and all. NT is something of a one hit wonder.

 

[spicypixel]

As a recent graduate of the "games production education industry" (Games Computing Lincoln) I can echo the above advice.

Programming is key seemingly right now, good start is c# + XNA or mobile iphone/android.

As a 3d artist you'll find that unless you dedicate 6months+ to keeping up with the latest trends you will be unemployable. (Sadly the position I found myself in)

Degrees only help so far, for the most part being competent in your chosen discipline speaks more than a degree, and for 3d specially most studios will skip the CV and check the demo reel (or so I hear) and then consult the CV second.

If you're actually interested in getting anywhere take some time out to consider what you want to specialise in; learn from books/internet/tutorial DVDs and produce a portfolio piece, ???? and profit?

 

[Burnsy2023]

As a 3d artist you'll find that unless you dedicate 6months+ to keeping up with the latest trends you will be unemployable. (Sadly the position I found myself in)

The impression I got from friends was that it's not what you know, but who you know. But that's applicable to any job really.

 

[Rroff]

Degrees only help so far, for the most part being competent in your chosen discipline speaks more than a degree, and for 3d specially most studios will skip the CV and check the demo reel (or so I hear) and then consult the CV second.

Depends where your coming from... big name like idsoftware on the cover sheet will get you a long way to the top of the pile before they even look at the CV or portfolio.

 

[Burnsy2023]

Depends where your coming from... big name like idsoftware on the cover sheet will get you a long way to the top of the pile before they even look at the CV or portfolio.

My friend who is a 3D artist, only graduated last year but is lucky enough to have both Criterion Games (EA) and UbiSoft on his CV. That was mostly down to a very impressive portfoliio though.

 

[spicypixel]

I wanted to avoid bringing up the its not what you know its who you know side of things as I've witnessed it first hand, and it makes me sad

Though portfolios go far is a general rule of thumb, also keep in contact with uni friends for those who went to uni. They might end up getting a job at a games company and you can get in

 

[edscdk]

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.

DONT DO IT

im sure everyone as said the same thing...

there are only 20 - 30k people working on games design in the uk for about 250 companies.

unless you are a talented coder, designer, artist, sound engineer (or have some other creative tallent) its (im my opinion) a waste of time.

Its way too specalised

maybe do something more general a course that includes 3d modeling or AI...

 

[Demoniser]

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.

Studying at Stafford myself, graduated from the Games Design BSc, i'm on the 3D Modelling MSc atm.

If you want to go on a course there are Unis like Stafford, that have the proper facilities and staff to teach you what you need.

It's really not an 'i like game, give job' routine. Its competitive, hard work but very rewarding when you do a decent piece of work.

I only know of a few people who've manged to get jobs since graduation, and mostly those have been from knowing the right people. One graduate got a job as an animator, who helped another to land a job and then that person helped another to land a job. But on the other hand a friend of mine who's been trying for jobs since he graduated hasn't managed to land a single thing so far, even with industry connections.

I'd only go into it if you are prepared to work your arse off, and as has been said you need to dedicate yourself to a chosen field tbh.

 

[GravyMonster]

Programming is key seemingly right now, good start is c# + XNA

Very good advice right there. Grab yourself a copy of Visual Studio 2008 Express, XNA Studio 3.0 (both free) and Google some tutorials.

If you enjoy doing that and want to get more involved have a look into C/C++.

 

[Bloodshot]

Studying at Stafford myself, graduated from the Games Design BSc, i'm on the 3D Modelling MSc atm.

If you want to go on a course there are Unis like Stafford, that have the proper facilities and staff to teach you what you need.

It's really not an 'i like game, give job' routine. Its competitive, hard work but very rewarding when you do a decent piece of work.

I only know of a few people who've manged to get jobs since graduation, and mostly those have been from knowing the right people. One graduate got a job as an animator, who helped another to land a job and then that person helped another to land a job. But on the other hand a friend of mine who's been trying for jobs since he graduated hasn't managed to land a single thing so far, even with industry connections.

I'd only go into it if you are prepared to work your arse off, and as has been said you need to dedicate yourself to a chosen field tbh.

Heh, I went there and found the course a load of tosh (I firmly object to calling the course "Games Design" and it being a BSc, when it's pretty much an art course!) Gusto Games seem to be recruiting from a pool of grads there though!

 

[Missing.String]

Mod.

I cannot stress this enough.

CryENGINE, UDK, whatever. Mod, mod, mod. Experience and connections will beat any degree in this industry.

Take a project like Mechwarrior: Living Legends. The two lead devs now work at our Frankfurt studio thanks to their experience with our engine.

 

[Demoniser]

Heh, I went there and found the course a load of tosh (I firmly object to calling the course "Games Design" and it being a BSc, when it's pretty much an art course!) Gusto Games seem to be recruiting from a pool of grads there though!

A load of tosh is a bit harsh tbh, I've got to disagree.

While I've been here there's been a fair amount of focus on 3D Modeling, Animation. and game engine work which I've found has been excellent for teaching techniques.

I'd agree that 'Games Design' isn't the best description and imo the course doesn't suit would be designers due to the focus on modeling and animation. There could be more focus for the specific disciplines (i got sick of the animation modules for instance).

And yup, Gusto Games is what i was talking about with those who've got jobs.

I'd point out that I'm under no illusions that degree = job in this industry and that portfolio work whatever your expertise is a major factor (as it should be).

 

[GabeM]

Hey everyone, my name is Gabriel and I’m a writer for Train2Game. I’m also known as GabeM on the Train2Game forums

The way Train2Game teaches has been misunderstood. While students do go through course books and answer questions, this isn’t by any means the full extent of Train2Game teaching. Students also build a portfolio in their respective course under the guidance of their tutor that shows they do fully understand what they have been taught. For Games Designers the portfolio work includes pitches and design documents, for Games programmers it includes demos and short games and for Art & Animation it includes concept art, models, textures and renders.

A lot of the content Train2Game produces is original bespoke material created specifically for the course. So I’m afraid it’s not fair to say you can just Google it.

I do agree that there is no shortage of people wanting to work in the industry. I would however say that there is a shortage of talented people. With that in mind we manage our acceptance process very carefully, (our acceptance rate from application to approval is less than 7%).

Train2Game is a structured learning experience with constant assessment and feedback loops made up of exclusive written content, lectures, assets, technology and tools.

It’s very not reasonable to assume that with just a good degree, you can expect to land a job in the industry. Having a high quality and well rounded portfolio will boost your chance of success massively. In fact I’d say that without a good portfolio you’re highly unlikely to even get to an interview. As Rroff said earlier on, if you have a solid portfolio that shows you have talent and experience, it’s going to take you further than someone with a higher degree and nothing but a certificate to show for it.

It is also worth noting that Train2Game do have courses that also cover 3D modelling and AI.

I’m in no way saying that Train2Game is either a better or worse option than university (I myself attended university, studying journalism at Lincoln University). It’s simply another alternative for people who want to learn the skills and knowledge relevant to the industry. If you want to go to University for whatever reason, that’s a life choice that you can make.

The importance of a portfolio and the need work harder than most is paramount if yo are to succeed in the games industry.

I should also say that the people who created these courses took 3 years to build the content and have been in games development for over 30 years so it’s a little unfair of Rroff to suggest otherwise.

Whatever you decide OriginalJonty, I wish you all the best