<p>So, im majoring in comp sci (games), but a lot of people are saying that the gaming industry is not quite rewarding(I'm talking about money-wise) compared to typical CS jobs ( I assume they're referring to Google, Microsoft, Apple, etc..). To what extent is this true? Anyone have any personal experience or stories about getting a job in the gaming industry?</p>
<p>Also, I dont even know what kind of job I can land at a gaming company with a CS degree. I guess I never really thought that far ahead. Typically, what kind of position do most undergrad's seek or get hired for after a CS degree?</p>
<p>It doesn’t seem like gaming is as hot as it used to be. Zynga just laid off 18% of its workforce, and I know companies like Electronic Arts aren’t doing well. It’s so easy for people to get into gaming these days that I would have to think that all the competition would be driving profit margins down.</p>
<p>The upside of a CS Games degree is that if you can’t find a good job at a games company, those computer skills will transfer well to other software jobs. A couple of years ago I was working at a company where a guy with a CS Games degree from Sacramento State was doing user interfaces for a cloud business application.</p>
<p>As for first jobs, around Silicon Valley and SF I see lots of new college grads going to start-ups, but there’s no reason you can’t send resumes to places like Google or Facebook. My first job was at an aerospace company.</p>
<p>@simba, would it be better to major in CS as opposed to CS(Games) if I plan on acquiring a non-gaming job? The reason I wanted to do CS(Games) is because the major looked awesome, but would it be a setback if I don’t ultimately want to go into the gaming industry?</p>
<p>That’s a good point about Zynga and other big companies. Some others, such as Wargaming.net, are still hiring. The social mobile sector is seeing more practices of traditional dev companies, such as month long crunches and downsizing after title launch. The “We’re a startup” angle is over once you have hundreds of employees. As far as rewarding, what’s more rewarding than making a living doing a job you love? That being said, you had better love making games (making, NOT just playing them) to be happy. </p>
<p>I used to use Zynga as the example for compensation, but I’ll have to change that now. At least the laid off employees were given “generous severance” and the remaining employees there I know still have high salaries. In AAA studios, things are different and I’m not as knowledgable. Compensation matters a lot on where you go. An entry level programmer working on a big franchise could start at 60K and make some more due to overtime/bonuses, but they’re working really hard. At a different studio they could start at 80K and work easier. I presume this is similar for software companies. Lots of different ones, from Microsoft to Apple to Fogcreek, and a ton of small ones too. Some you’d be happy at and some not. Some pay high and some not. It’s like a Punnett square. You can find a good place, whether in applications or games, if you have options.</p>
<p>A degree in CS or CS (Games) will allow you to have options. In addition to applying to companies, in my experience recruiters will contact you if you have 1. A CS degree 2. Experience with what’s hot (currently web/mobile) & 3. A portfolio. You’ll get those 3 things in either CS or CS (Games) depending on what projects you do and electives you take. That opens up a whole bunch of opportunities that people bring to you. It can get a little annoying however because many are not for games, and some game companies don’t like using recruiters. My point is either degree opens up opportunities.</p>
<p>To be blunt, majoring in CS (Games) because it looks awesome is not a good idea. It’s like wanting to be a paleontologist after seeing Jurassic Park. If you plan on acquiring a non-gaming job then CS is better. Majoring in CS (Games) will not be a setback, but why would you invest all that time and effort in doing something you don’t want to do? With that said, there’s nothing wrong with trying the major out, and you might like it. It takes dedication. There will be a few students similar to you in the major, which is ok, but many students are there to make games and will be very passionate about it. If it doesn’t rub off on you, then you might find it annoying.</p>
<p>There is another major in SCA called Interactive Media and Games (that last Games was just added to the major name) but requires a different skill set and a creative portfolio/application to the film school.</p>
<p>We know many CS (Games) majors and grads. It is a challenging major. The grads had multiple job offers. Really amazing success.</p>
<p>Thanks Madbean. It’s confusing. Your link seems to directly contradict the 2013-14 catalog (link in my post), which states: </p>
<p>"Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (Games)</p>
<p>The goal of the B.S. in Computer Science (Games) program is to graduate students with a solid grounding in computer science and a cross-disciplinary background in game development. …This degree will be offered by the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences."</p>
<p>I can’t recall on the app if the student applies by school or by major (I think it was by major?) in which case it won’t matter from my son’s standpoint.</p>
<p>Snowdog: CS and CS (Games) are for all intents and purposes in Viterbi but the degrees are awarded by Dornsife. They are in the process of having the degrees officially granted by Viterbi this upcoming year. This will match the fact that you have Viterbi advisors from the beginning, are a Viterbi student, and walk in the Viterbi grad ceremony at the end. </p>
<p>This might be outdated: If I remember, the app is by major so your son will be fine. If you put CS (Games) on the optional Part I app then you should get a Viterbi postcard or brochure sometime before the required Part II app is due.</p>
<p>madbean is right on the money. Side note: A new joint USC Games website should be coming out in July (or August if delayed).</p>
<p>The CS (Games) degree was started by taking the CS curriculum and taking out X units of less important classes (such as Compilers years ago) and putting in X units of games-focused classes (such as Intro to 3D Animation). You can compare/contrast the required classes to see this. CS (Games) is a CS degree with a Games emphasis, therefore you’re just as qualified as someone with a CS degree and no emphasis.</p>
<p>Positions after graduation:
An entry level position at a multitude of companies: Accenture, Boeing, Cisco, Disney, GE, Intel, Nvidia, Samsung, Sony, Storm8, etc.</p>
<p>Just some things to add, USC is often regarded as one of the best, if not THE BEST school for its interactive media game design program. Now this is not the same thing as the CS Games major, but there is considerable overlap and so expect great things from classes that fit into both majors. (The main difference is the interactive media is more artsy and design-oriented while the CS degree is much more about the programming and developing). </p>
<p>As far as the CS vs. CSGM degrees, I’ve heard many different sides to the argument. Because of the changes that psydent started to hint at, the straight CS degree will have more free units than in previous years due to no language requirement and other considerations. The hope is that the CS student will be able to “customize” the degree, so if you are not sold on the CSGM degree but would like to take [several] games classes while at SC, then that is totally possible. On the other hand, if you graduate with a CSGM degree, don’t be too concerned about getting jobs afterwards. When I visited the Google LA offices, I was talking to an employee who was a CSGM grad who could not advocate more for taking games classes because it is more hands-on then many of the straight CS classes. He said that the troubleshooting and debugging experience he got in his games classes were invaluable at getting a job, and also that projects from class were instant additions to his portfolio. (Incidentally, he also started a company while in school that would make games for clients in an outrageously short amount of time that probably earned a ton more experience and a place on the Google team). </p>
<p>So in summary, do what feels right. There will be a little bit of wiggle room in the first couple of semesters because all the CS majors (CS, CECS, CSBA, and CSGM) are going to be taking the same core classes. Of course, talking to an advisor about this subject at orientation or at the start of the year might be a good choice for you as well.</p>
<p>^ You certainly know a lot for a hs kid hsKid101. And you’re spot on about most except the ranking. It is NOT “THE BEST school for its interactive media game design program.” (I could go on about this.) It IS the best school for its joint program. The distinction of #1 was awarded to both CS (Games) and Interactive Media as the unified USC Games program. </p>
<p>Ironically, for a bunch of engineers and designers, the USC Games website is neither programmed well nor looks good: [url=<a href=“http://games.usc.edu/]USC”>http://games.usc.edu/]USC</a> Games - Home<a href=“but%20the%20new%20one%20is%20coming”>/url</a></p>