Hello Everyone,
I just started college and will be transferring to UC Santa Cruz in 2 years. My goal is the Computer Science: Computer Game Design B.S. Unfortunately, at my community college, we only have general Computer Science major so I am confused as to what other things I should study up on before I go there. Luckily I have 2 years so I think that is something.
Now to move on to specifics. The courses offered at my Community College are general Computer Science courses and the ones in the Computer Science: Computer Game Design major are specialized towards making games. There are some inconsistencies where I won’t get some knowledge at my Community college that those who studied at UCSC from the start will have. Currently, I just started (6 weeks) and have only little knowledge on C++. I am studying C# and python little by little at home. I recently started using Unity3D and Blender. My main focus is going to be programming but from the description of the courses offered at UCSC, I found that they dip your feet in all aspects of game development so we can have a better understanding of how it works.
These questions are specifically for those in the Computer Science: Computer Game Design Department. If you transferred their like I will, Awesome! And if you have been there right after High School, Great! I will appreciate answers from both sides. Faculty/Teachers are also very helpful.
What languages would you recommend I be proficient at?
What languages would you recommend I have some knowledge on?
What software(s) should I be proficient at?
What other things do you recommend I do before I transfer?
Remember, I have 2 years so I can still learn a lot before I get there!
Thank You
I forgot to add but I would also like to know what the major is like? Stressful?
What kind of stuff do you do there?
Hello coolweather,
I have read all of the articles that you have linked. And I thank you for your response. I have done research on many aspects of this major and did come across positives as well as negatives of this major. The main argument in many of these is that a Game Design degree limits your future options. I will have to agree with that statement. But I have chosen this degree after considering all that. If there are positives then there must be negatives and vice-versa. But these article offer little about the positives about this degree. On big factor I have found after my research is that you get lots of experience in programming games under these programs. In a general CS major, they teach you how to code. But if I know that I specifically want to program games, than I find that making games is the best way to learn. These degree require you to make games while in school. These games later go on to serve as a very valid portfolio where it can show the employers what can a candidate with this degree do. If someone fresh out of a CS program with little experience in games were to apply, I believe they will have a harder time getting that job since they have nothing to show that they can properly program games.
Another factor for me personally is that I want to create games. I already know I want to create games so I see little value in a general CS program that will only allow me to do so much. I want to create games, its my passion and something I plan to follow through. I saw some very accurate points in the articles about what the roles mean and I am perfectly aware of them. I know that my ideas won’t always be the priority and I might not have any say in it. But I can do it since it is something I love doing. This is something I have wished for a long time. I see many people who do not realize that game design is not what it seems to be. They do not see the hardships that a game designing job is. But I still want to continue. This degree will allow me to do exactly what I wish to do.
My son is currently a sophomore at USC with a CS-Games major. He loves it but he’s currently getting only four hours of sleep every night, he’s so busy. C++ is his main programming language. He’s also using Maya for animation. If I can get a moment of his time I’ll ask him for more info.
GamerGal27,
Thank You very much for the response. Any information is useful so please do ask your son. I apologize if it is an inconvenience for him.
Thank You