B Science in Games Development (1 Viewer)

[MrBrightside]

Hi all,

This degree seems interesting, I would like to learn the ins and outs of games design, but I'm afraid that the industry in Australia is still small. I mean it is growing (I checked just now, and there were plenty of jobs to do with games design) But I'm just thinking will the name games design put employers off? Like even if I wanted to do another I.T related job. The course covers all core I.T subjects so i don't see why not.

Usyd has design computing, which is similar but doesn't specialise in games, it provides an overview of user interface and design principles. The "Design computing" would probably sound more professional, when I'm 30 or so years old rather than a "Games Development degree"

Also an optional yr work exp for games dev, where design computing does not.

 

[hungwell1337]

goto their open day, ask them what the difference is between that degree and computer science/IT

 

[MrBrightside]

goto their open day, ask them what the difference is between that degree and computer science/IT

They will just give biased views. The only thing why it gives an edge over design computing, is that it includes 1 year work exp diploma.

Then again Design computing sounds more professional.

ehh honestly I don't know :/ maybe engineering is the way to go to be recognised professionally by industry.

 

[UNSW COMPUTING]

Several universities also offer Game Design as a major in a more general degree, like Computer Science. That way you can get the "serious" degree name that you're after, along with the knowledge that you seek.

 

[friend177]

I'd say choose a Software Engineering or Computer Science degree instead of that, and unless you really want to make/design games then yeah, you probs won't really get a job in game designing in australia, even though you just checked I'd say working with internet related companies such as Google (best place to work) would require a CS degree I think but most game companies such as valve, rockstar, Bethesda etc hires software engineers

 

[1005HA]

B Science in Games Development sounds fun. I considered this course before but didn't do it. I reckon in learning to write a good game, you'll become very good at soft and hardware, because some of the fastest algorithms are done at low level. Development of gaming peripheries also involves great knowledge in hard/software interfaces. You'll learn heaps from this degree.

But back to cold and hard reality. Once you graduate, one of the worst case scenario is you will become a code slave where people pay you petty salary to code day and night, day and night with crazy dead lines for projects which may not even be games related. Then you'll be stuffed. On the other hand who knows, a good case scenario might be you becoming one of the elite chief developers of one of the best games ever made, sold to and played by thousands of people. Chances are it's going to be something in between the two extremes. Safer bet may be to go with Computer Engineering and in this course choose as many gaming related electives and minors as you can eg. computer graphics, OS design, marketing etc. That way you'll have the skills to meet wide range of industrial and business demands, while also be equipped to write games if you want to.

Also consider what Uni is offering it. You want to make sure to get good teaching and not just wasting your time and money. I've studied as a student at various points in time at Sydney Uni, UNSW, UTS, University of Melbourne, Curtin University, University of Queensland, and at one stage almost enrolled for TAFE. The quality of teaching can vary quite a bit. Generally speaking if you go with a well respected uni (eg. Sydney & UNSW), can't go too wrong. Then again there are always exceptions...

Talk to your school's career advisor as well.
Do let us know what you chose and get in the end!

 

[MrBrightside]

B Science in Games Development sounds fun. I considered this course before but didn't do it. I reckon in learning to write a good game, you'll become very good at soft and hardware, because some of the fastest algorithms are done at low level. Development of gaming peripheries also involves great knowledge in hard/software interfaces. You'll learn heaps from this degree.

But back to cold and hard reality. Once you graduate, one of the worst case scenario is you will become a code slave where people pay you petty salary to code day and night, day and night with crazy dead lines for projects which may not even be games related. Then you'll be stuffed. On the other hand who knows, a good case scenario might be you becoming one of the elite chief developers of one of the best games ever made, sold to and played by thousands of people. Chances are it's going to be something in between the two extremes. Safer bet may be to go with Computer Engineering and in this course choose as many gaming related electives and minors as you can eg. computer graphics, OS design, marketing etc. That way you'll have the skills to meet wide range of industrial and business demands, while also be equipped to write games if you want to.

Also consider what Uni is offering it. You want to make sure to get good teaching and not just wasting your time and money. I've studied as a student at various points in time at Sydney Uni, UNSW, UTS, University of Melbourne, Curtin University, University of Queensland, and at one stage almost enrolled for TAFE. The quality of teaching can vary quite a bit. Generally speaking if you go with a well respected uni (eg. Sydney & UNSW), can't go too wrong. Then again there are always exceptions...

Talk to your school's career advisor as well.
Do let us know what you chose and get in the end!

Computer engineering is entirely a different field. That's more to do the mechanics of the hardware (designing silicon chips and dealing with hardware logic such as using gates and IO tools) - Comp engineering is not that bright in Australia and is a very intense course which focuses on physics and mathematical conventions, unlike the games dev or comp sci degrees which just require some form of mathematical ability but no physics (unless you take an option/elective which requires physics)

 

[Freemo]

I am also tossing up which course would be best. I am leaning down the b science in games dev path, but have also been doing some research into some of the private colleges (AIE and AIT). They seem to have a pretty good employment rate once you have finished the degree (or so they tell me), and the campus is pretty cool. But do you think games companies prefer someone with a uni degree or someone with more specialist training from a private college?

Cheers,

 

[MrBrightside]

I am also tossing up which course would be best. I am leaning down the b science in games dev path, but have also been doing some research into some of the private colleges (AIE and AIT). They seem to have a pretty good employment rate once you have finished the degree (or so they tell me), and the campus is pretty cool. But do you think games companies prefer someone with a uni degree or someone with more specialist training from a private college?

Cheers,

Hmm doesn't really matter, if you're good, you'll get hired. (i.e you have a a range of portfolios to show them of impressive work).

Uni = Cheaper ~7 grand a year, holidays, longer duration (1 - 3 years longer), depending if you combine your degree etc), ATAR required.
Private college = Significantly more money ~40 grand a year (I think), ~2 years duration, No holidays, No ATAR required.

 

[ohYea]

Hi all,

This degree seems interesting, I would like to learn the ins and outs of games design, but I'm afraid that the industry in Australia is still small. I mean it is growing (I checked just now, and there were plenty of jobs to do with games design) But I'm just thinking will the name games design put employers off? Like even if I wanted to do another I.T related job. The course covers all core I.T subjects so i don't see why not.

Usyd has design computing, which is similar but doesn't specialise in games, it provides an overview of user interface and design principles. The "Design computing" would probably sound more professional, when I'm 30 or so years old rather than a "Games Development degree"

Also an optional yr work exp for games dev, where design computing does not.

Which course did you apply(first preference) in your UAC thing.

 

[nutting]

It is rather niche area....and if you want to get out of Games and work in normal suftware development ( say a bank etc ) it might be hard to switch later on...but not impossible...may need some MS certification etc