<p>Is this a good degree for jobs? Do they teach you what you need to know for game design? Is the math killer? Is getting a masters degree worth it (I can get a MS and BS in 5 years at NCSU)?</p>
<p>My son is interested in this major but I was concerned that it would be too narrow and limiting. However, he really does not have much interest in straight out CS. RIT offers a BS in Game Design and Development. The catalog says the major also “provides students with a core computing education that prepares them for graduate study or employment in a number of computing fields”. However, George Mason Univ. offers a BS in Applied Computer Science with a concentration in Computer Game Design. I’m not sure how comfortable I feel having a resume that states BS in Game Design and Development, as compared to a resume that says BS in Applied Computer Science with a concentration in Computer Game Design. I think the latter may be better. I’ve been wondering about the job market, as well. I believe these programs do teach what is needed for game design. I can’t really comment on the usefulness of pursuing a masters degree. </p>
<p>My son attends USC as a CS (Games) major and a Game Design minor. It is more marketable than a straight Game Design major.</p>
<p>Here is a must read for those interested in game design, both the art side and the CS side is addressed here.</p>
<p><a href=“John Ratcliff's Code Suppository: So your teenager tells you they want to 'make video games' for a living...”>http://codesuppository.blogspot.com/2013/04/so-your-teenager-tells-you-they-want-to.html</a></p>
@BrownParent thanks for that link. Certainly food for thought.
Before I say anything, I will say this.
Gaming industry is really impacted.
Don’t be surprised by this because the field of CS is already in the road to over-population again.
But gaming industry is the MOST impacted right now in the computer industry.
Sure it’s fun to do gaming and such but when your pay after long tiresome hours of morning to night (and yes, many times during the “sleeping hours like 2-4am” emergencies) is less than a standard high school teacher, then I really doubt that such a job is a good ‘outlook’.
People might rage that “you don’t go pursue a major for the monetary things”. And yes, that is perfectly true and I absolutely agree with you. But the fact that you study really hard like everyone in CS and then get paid 1/3 of your peers is not the best feeling while you are undergoing an environment that is harsher than your peers.
There is WAY too many people in CS gaming. Don’t bother. Seriously, unless you are super passionate and do not care getting a wage that feels just a bit over the minimum wage (and it kinda becomes like this if you actually compute the hours OUTSIDE your worktime (GASP!)), then do it. Otherwise, I think there are other similarly interesting fields that do just as well.
Don’t follow your passion. This I think is a horrible advice… No. Use your passions and interests flexibly on any career. Most successful people in life did not have such a narrow view. So ya… and also, there is the internet that actually has resources.
For instance, even if you truly love making 1G phones, if no one is buying, then the outlook is not going to be as great no matter what. You can be the best 1G phone maker right now and… it still won’t be anywhere near as possible as today’s 4G LTE smartphones -.-
Just a saying…
And oh ya, the gaming degrees in the top colleges are pretty much CS degrees so unlike most universities in the US, they actually give students a broad opportunity for careers outside gaming once you graduate. So ya, GamerGal’s son though he majored in gaming will also have the opportunity to apply for like Google, etc. (and even big business companies. Gasp!). The power of brand name is… a noticeable advantage in the start of your career…
But seriously, if you aren’t getting into those super prestigious schools or prestigious CS schools, I really recommend not joining the gaming industry right now. It’s just… really horrible
Great article.
CS degree is all you need for gaming. But every other CS major is in it because they want to design video games for a living. Terrible place to be, in all honesty - game developer is a pretty bad job, as covered before.