I am very confused as to what classes I should take to become a game designer.

College Search & Selection
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<p>I've been wanting to get into the video game industry for a long time now. I've been researching the various jobs you could have making games. I was considering programming for a while, and that was only because I made the most money. I knew it probably wouldn't be my favorite thing to do as a designer. Actually, I changed my mind about that around a year ago, and decided that I'd try to go into whatever I thought would be the most enjoyable for me. </p>

<p>So anyway, I decided that I really want to become a designer.</p>

<p>Any of those jobs under "Game Designer" I'd love to have.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.creativeuncut.com/video-g...eer-paths.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.creativeuncut.com/video-g...eer-paths.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>A while ago, I was planning on going to a school that specialized more toward video game design. Lately though, I've been hearing a lot about how going for a more general degree would be the smarter choice. A lot of those schools are trippy anyway. After looking at reviews for a lot of the more specialized schools, I saw lot of bad things about them. Stuff about how their degrees don't help or are worthless, or how they just want your money and you'll end up $100000 in debt after you graduate. Then I did more research on those types of schools in general and (of course) know to avoid them.</p>

<p>With those video game design school, from my experience reading reviews, it's either all bad, or it's half and half with one side saying "This school is amazing, got my degree, have a job in this, really helped me, 10/10" and the other half saying "Garbage school, learned nothing, didn't help, in debt, wasted my life." I really don't want to fall into that trap. </p>

<p>Well anyway, you saw the specifics of what I wanted to do in the industry in the link above. Now what classes would I have to major in for that? What would be some good minors/other classes to take on the side? Another thing I also want to do is to take classes on making music on a program. I've always loved to make music on the cheap programs I've had. Would I have room to take classes on that as well? Do they even have classes for that? I know there are music/audio engineering classes, but i'm not sure if that's what I want. I just need to do more research on that. I'm also trying to stay in the Southern California area.</p>

2

<p>DO NOT go to a “video game deign school” rule of thumb if it is “Nationally accredited” and/or a “For-Profit” university (these are the universities that are publicly traded on the stock market and generally spend more on marketing than education- That includes all those colleges that call themselves the “Art Institute of X”) it is best to avoid it like the plague you will lose a lot of money and the degree will be next to useless. The video game industry is already a very tough market to get into and in general there are no shortcuts to a 4 yea degree. That is another thing you want to be aware of, generally schools that are offering a 2 or 3 year “associates” degree or certificate in something should be avoided, as the standard is a full 4 year bachelors degree (the 3 year degree offered by the Vancouver Film School is an exception, because it is a very well known school in the field and its certificates are mainly meant as something you get on top of bachelors degree).</p>

<p>Find a programming or graphic arts programming degree (doesn’t have to say “video game in it”- in fact if it does that is a bit of a warning sign). There are some good state flagships that you might want to consider.</p>

<p>I repeat for effect, do NOT get a “video game degree” from a for-profit college, they are worth next to nothing in the industry. Look for the warning signs I mentioned above and when in doubt just choose a known state university because you can be sure they are not scams.</p>

<p>As to schools in California I have heard good things about the graphic arts and film departments in the University of Southern California so that might be a good place to start.</p>

3

<p>What comes through very strongly in your post is that you view college as a “trade” school. The detailed knowledge required to be proficient as a game designer is constantly changing. What does not change is the higher level engineering. To prepare for a long term career you’ll need to master engineering fundamentals and processes. Consider a dual degree program – as for example computer science and art (or music or graphic design or …). Along the way find somewhere (within the university or outside) to evolve your skills in game design, as by working (ideally in a team) on actual game design projects.</p>

4

<p>DigiPen is a for-profit school which is an exception to the rule. As far as I can tell, it is well-regarded and gives a good education.</p>

<p>Whether that results in job placement I cannot say.</p>

<p>It is not in Southern California, however.</p>

5

<p>Better to get a normal CS degree and take electives in computer graphics, artificial intelligence, physics (mechanics), and art, rather than an overly specialized game design degree.</p>