<p>Can anyone share some light about this major? I was accepted for Computer Science, but after visiting USC for the admitted student reception, the Computer Science (Games) major looked absolutely amazing! Who wouldn't want to take classes from the School of Cinematic Arts?</p>
<p>Anyways...what I'm worried about is that the major will ONLY lead to jobs in the gaming industry. Is that the case? What if it doesn't work out --- can I still find a job a Microsoft, Cisco, etc...?</p>
<p>And, finally, I've heard it's one of the hardest majors on campus. To what extent is that true?</p>
<p>Hey again! </p>
<p>I showed your post to my CS friends Rob and Zach (who have responded to a couple other questions of yours before!) Here’s what Zach had to say (I’ll post Rob’s next!)</p>
<p>Zach -
"One of the great things about the Computer Science Games major at USC is that you are not only getting the video games experience, you are getting a Computer Science degree from USC. While the program is definitely focused on getting you a job in the game industry, if you decide you don’t want to, you can definitely work anywhere another Computer Science major could work. </p>
<p>It’s a tough major but what engineering major isn’t? My friends in Computer Science Games all really enjoy it and it’s not so difficult that you won’t be able to do anything else. Don’t let worries about the workload hold you back from trying out the major. </p>
<p>If you are interested in Computer Science Games, I personally recommend that you start out in that major because it has some unique early classes, but you should work with your academic adviser starting at orientation to figure out a four year plan that’s flexible if you’re not sure yet.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision."</p>
<p>Here’s what Rob had to say - </p>
<p>"Hey, I’m a Computer Engineering/Computer Science major at USC, and I think I can help you out. The Comp Sci. Games major includes all the same core classes that every Computer Science major does, meaning you will be as qualified for every software job that the other “flavors” of the major are. The difference is mainly the Cinematic Arts classes you take for game design, as well as some Computer Science classes that specifically relate to things you need to know for game development.</p>
<p>For example, as a CECS major, I took a Computer Networks class from the Electrical Engineering department (EE 450), which had an in depth look at network architecture and the hardware components that drive it all. As a games major, you may be more interested in Multiplayer Game Programming (ITP 484). Both will give you an understanding of networks, but the second one is just a little more specific to games. Either way, if you go to Google and they ask you how to program with sockets, you’ll know how! </p>
<p>So basically, yes, you will be prepared for everything. You will just have additional preparation specifically for a job in video game development, whereas other students may have chosen a different set of classes that give them a specialty in an area like Artificial Intelligence or hardware.</p>
<p>And yes, Comp Sci Games is challenging, but so are the other flavors of Comp Sci. The nice thing about it is that if games are your passion, you’ll enjoy and get a lot out of the work you’re doing.</p>
<p>Hope this help! Good luck deciding!"</p>
<p>I’m a current CS Games major who is transferring to CSBA because of a pretty simple reason, I don’t want to make games as a profession. What I recommend is to take ITP 280 which is Video Game Production or CSCI 180. I will say that for the two professors I have in the games program, they are both top notch and I would extend it to the entire CS games teachers overall. So basically I’m not switching because the program is terrible, it’s really really good if you want to make games, im switching because I think its something that you either want to do or you don’t. So take an intro class and decide from there.</p>
<p>This is actually completely unrelated to my life, but I just wanted to point out how sweet ViterbiStudent was for asking his friends for help. It’s really great that USC has so many students who are so helpful and really go out of the way for each other.</p>
<p>+1</p>
<p>Oh man, I completely forgot I made this post. Once again, thank you ViterbiStudent for somehow finding the time to help me out AGAIN =) You are probably the most helpful person on this forum!</p>