Game industry questionmarks

[Mazy]

Heh, funny timing. Last week I did an interview for a danish radio station about being self taught with success, its being aired today actually.

I don't really have anything special to add either. When I started mapping there weren't really any game related educations here in Denmark, so from the very beginning I kinda had the attitude that if I wanted a job in the industry I'd have to do it by myself, and while going to school I considered it a mere distraction and that the mapping I did in my spare time the real education. After I finished high school, I started working very focused on creating the best maps I had ever done, with the plan being sending them to Io Interactive, and basically aiming to get the job in the first go. Now Io were also kind enough to offer me a trainee position at first, because I had very limited 3ds max experience at the time, and if I had been aware of that being as large a driving force as it is then I'd definitely have started learning that earlier on, knowing as many engines and modelling packages as possible is never a bad thing, even if just on a basic level.

Sadly, I think the current climate is pretty rough for people that don't have pinpoint accurate skills for the place they're applying to. I've definitely heard of, and seen fewer and fewer trainees being taking in, so that's also starting to become a less viable way of getting a job. But then again, it also varies from place to place.

I do think that learning it on your own can still work, but you have to be very good and dedicated in this day and age. And if you aren't just naturally good, you really have to put in the time and just hone your skills. And although others in this thread have mentioned trying to learn various skills and be more of a jack of all trades, then I'd definitely start by focusing on level design/game design, and figure out exactly if that's what you're passionate about.

Hope you figure it out

[Minos]

What Mazy said =)

[kleinluka]

When you're 35-40 (or whatever) and you become tired of designing levels, that degree will help. Again if you're a designer, no program out there can help you more than modding experience would.

Yes but also don't forget that most people who stay in the industry for that long don't stay level designers for 20 years, they climb up the ladder and become managers, producers, etc.

[Furyo]

When you're 35-40 (or whatever) and you become tired of designing levels, that degree will help. Again if you're a designer, no program out there can help you more than modding experience would.

Yes but also don't forget that most people who stay in the industry for that long don't stay level designers for 20 years, they climb up the ladder and become managers, producers, etc.

They need degrees to do that, which reinforces my point that people should get an education

[Minos]

When you're 35-40 (or whatever) and you become tired of designing levels, that degree will help. Again if you're a designer, no program out there can help you more than modding experience would.

Yes but also don't forget that most people who stay in the industry for that long don't stay level designers for 20 years, they climb up the ladder and become managers, producers, etc.

They need degrees to do that, which reinforces my point that people should get an education

Not necessarily, our producer is damn good and he ain't got a degree.

[Hourences]

When you're 35-40 (or whatever) and you become tired of designing levels, that degree will help. Again if you're a designer, no program out there can help you more than modding experience would.

Yes but also don't forget that most people who stay in the industry for that long don't stay level designers for 20 years, they climb up the ladder and become managers, producers, etc.

They need degrees to do that, which reinforces my point that people should get an education

At Ubisoft yes, but there are plenty of places and ways to become a manager in this industry without a degree. It largely depends on the type of company, their leadership, and the age of the industry in that particular area.

Where do you live Sentura?

[sarge mat]

http://www.escapestudios.com/en_GB/trai ... games.html

Things like this are becoming a lot more popular, intense and short programs I know there is a college called Quantom (can’t for the life of me remember how to spell it) that offers a degree in two years but I have no idea what the quality is like. I hear good things about escape studios. Its all 3D though.

[Sentura]

i currently live in denmark. if you want i can pm you with further info about the university.

[Hourences]

Thats a cool course. It is exactly what I would want to do. Three months is just about perfect, and he asks a boatload of money for it. I wonder if anyone bites? Anyone happen to know anyone who attends it?

You mean qantm? They are private, at least in Holland and charge 12000 euro or so a year.

Sentura sure, some info is never bad. Tak!

[Furyo]

On a related note, I've been offered to do a presentation down in Florida at Full Sail, and I can't figure out whether I even have something of any interest to say and therefore whether I should accept. The presentation can be on whatever I want, and the crowd is going to be mostly artists and animators, both fields in which I wouldn't know where to start. Have you guys had similar experiences?

[Hourences]

I do that stuff but I stick to Unreal and Level Design lectures. I think it is weird that they contact you to speak for people that are outside your field of expertise. Perhaps they just want to have you talk about the industry? It doesn't has to be about your work, you could just talk about how to get a job in this industry, how most post graduates feel when they start their first job and their common issues. That kind of stuff.

Or you could explain level design to the artists so the artists understand the position of the LD better and why they can't just move a crate when they want, for example.

[sarge mat]

Thats a cool course. It is exactly what I would want to do. Three months is just about perfect, and he asks a boatload of money for it. I wonder if anyone bites? Anyone happen to know anyone who attends it?

You mean qantm? They are private, at least in Holland and charge 12000 euro or so a year.

Sentura sure, some info is never bad. Tak!

I think a few from game-artist.net have been or know more about it.

[-HP-]

Well, since the presentation is for whatever you want, then talk about what you do best and what you're good at!

[kleinluka]

On a related note, I've been offered to do a presentation down in Florida at Full Sail, and I can't figure out whether I even have something of any interest to say and therefore whether I should accept. The presentation can be on whatever I want, and the crowd is going to be mostly artists and animators, both fields in which I wouldn't know where to start. Have you guys had similar experiences?

I did a presentation at SCAD about how to get into the industry, false expectations, interview/portfolio tips, and networking.... i can send you the presentation when im home.

They need degrees to do that, which reinforces my point that people should get an education

Not necessarily.

I'm not saying getting a degree is stupid. Just saying it might not be necessary if you have enough street cred and hands on game dev experience already and want to stay in the industry. That's just my personal opinion.

[Grinwhrl]

Get an Education, no matter what you do, it will come in handy some way or form in the future.