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Forums - Gaming - I want to get into game developing - specifically level design, advice needed.

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fillet said:
Andrespetmonkey said:
SamuelRSmith said:
Do not try to specialize so much, if you find yourself disliking it (what you enjoy as a hobby, you may not enjoy as a career), then you're pretty boned.

As for college, don't waste your time on that BTEC. The best plan when you go to college is to get a wide variety of a-levels, and then go down the path you enjoy most at Uni.

At my college, I could take 4 A-Levels (+ general studies 1/2). After the first year, most people dropped one (and just kept the AS grade), but if you didn't want to, you didn't have to. Going by this, and knowing you want to spend time in the game industry:

1 - Math
2 - Computing (forget IT, pointless).
3 - Humanities/Language Course
4 - Art/Design Course

If you're good at a foreign language, take that up as an A-Level, if not, stick to a humanity. As for which humanity, up to you. I find both History and Politics fascinating, but require good writing skills. Economics is probably the most important humanity out there (in my opinion), and most courses don't require amazing writing skills - if you flunk out on maths, some lesser unis will accept economics as a proof of numeracy. If you're really interested into getting into gaming, you might want to consider looking at AI programming, in which case, philosophy will do you really well, going into uni.

If you find pure maths boring, it would be acceptable to switch it into physics, most unis accept that (physics is NOT an easy course, though, don't be under that impression).

Anyway, these are my recommendations as they give you the skills you need to go to uni and study many courses relating to game development. At the same time, it also gives you a couple of fall back courses in case you find that you don't really want to do it full-time, after all.

As long as you have a good A-Level in maths (or related), you will be able to take 60% of uni courses out there (providing you don't flunk other modules), an A-Level that proves your ability to write will probably open up the remaining 40%.

Alright, I think I'll ditch the BTEC then since this isn't the first time I've been told that. How's this?

 

  • Maths (I'll need to work and revise hard for this though, predicted a C) If I can't get that B, economics?
  • ICT (no option for computing)
  • Geography (I also like History/Gov&Pol but I'm much better at geography)
  • Product Design - 3D design

 

 

Thanks!

If your having trouble with Maths at GCSE...you're in for a world of hurt at A level. I'm trying not to laugh just thinking about it and I don't mean that to offend you but so you can understand the gravity of the issue.

Yeah I know >.< I've seen some of the papers for A-level maths. 

Any altenatives? 



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If you can't do the maths, and you can't find a college which offers computing, you might be in trouble if you want to get into the game industry,

Most colleges let you change courses during the first term, so if you find yourself excessively struggling, you can change.

Remember you can just do an AS in maths, and forget the second year, that will limit your unis somewhat, but some will still accept (especially if you find a college doing computing).

Also, you can hire extra tuition if you need it.

The thing with maths is that it's not about whether you find it hard or easy, it's about whether you enjoy it. Even if you struggle, as long as you enjoy it, and maybe take on extra tuition, you should be fine.

How are you likely to do in Physics? That's a possible alternative to maths.



Well from what i understand about the gaming industry in the UK your best bet is not to rely on the degree program from what i was hearing devs have lost faith in the university courses due to an over generalisation of the courses if you do go to university i would suggest specialising in your own time and really focusing on one specific area of design. i'm coming into my final year as an art/animation student and starting to really build a portfolio up and looking at job openings and the feedback i'm getting is specialise!

(and as you can probably tell learn to spell :P)

good luck to you and i would suggest an AVCE (not sure what that is in btec relevant terms these days) in ICT it will teach you nothing you need to know but it's a good platform to get yourself into uni. and look at after college courses in 3DS max yea it takes time away from doing social things but it's worth it in the long run and should teach you a good logical workflow, the software knowlege will be vital later on.

If you want any advice from someone who's doing all thing them PM me i'd be happy to help



SamuelRSmith said:
If you can't do the maths, and you can't find a college which offers computing, you might be in trouble if you want to get into the game industry,

Most colleges let you change courses during the first term, so if you find yourself excessively struggling, you can change.

Remember you can just do an AS in maths, and forget the second year, that will limit your unis somewhat, but some will still accept (especially if you find a college doing computing).

Also, you can hire extra tuition if you need it.

The thing with maths is that it's not about whether you find it hard or easy, it's about whether you enjoy it. Even if you struggle, as long as you enjoy it, and maybe take on extra tuition, you should be fine.

How are you likely to do in Physics? That's a possible alternative to maths.

Predicted a B in science (Bio, chem, phy). But if I had to choose between Maths and Physics, it's gonna be maths. I just need to revise a lot. thanks



Xxain said:
Mad55 said:
HAHA. Im in school for game programming, but i couldn't really tell you whether or not those are good classes to take because i have only taken one level design class. I will say that getting good should be your main priority if those classes will help you improve then take them and get better.


Yuck! I took one programming class and hated it, one of the reasons why choose a start in Art positions( Character, monster, environment, other concerts ) and writing. Ultimate goal is Lead designer. im disturbed to know someone wants to program


Aww i can kinda agree with you. im doing a few other things as well in the game design field. my goal is lead designer as well. 



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fillet said:
blkfish92 said:
SamuelRSmith said:
blkfish92 said:
Your only 15! You have time until college, so I say study your balls off for the SAT and get into a good school for deigital/graphic design.


He's British, so college and uni are actually separate institutions. You start college at 16/17... looking into at 15 is very much the right thing to do.


You start college at 16, then when do you enter/finish high school?

In the UK we don't have "high school". That only exists on infantile internet forums and crap american teen movies.  :p

High school = "6th form" (if you decide to carry on in school, suitable for the less mature and people who can't motivate themselves).

High school = "college" (specific learning institution for people of 6th form age or older, often have mature students also, for people who can motivate themselves given the extra freedom it allows)

 

US College = UK University.

 

 

Like already said OP. You'd be a fool to take that BTEC course unless it was purely a leisure activity you enjoy doing, it will do nothing whatsoever in terms of getting you a job in that area in the future. Your best be is to stick with MATHS - hate it or not - tough luck. Nothing else matters, your product design won't hurt as you will use CAD and whatnot which a uni will like, by no means essential.

 

If you chose core subjects and ICT you can do whatever you like at uni anyway, if you do the BTEC, come uni you will just look stupid and top end uni institutions won't want to know.


We american univeristies too you know



           

Another option to consider is just not going into the game industry at all, or at least not having it as a primary life plan.

The game industry is incredibly competitive, which means that it doesn't pay as well as you might think (unless you're exceptional and climb the ladder). If it is not your passion (and I mean passion. 9-5. Monday-Friday. 48 weeks a year) the work load and low pay can get depressing fast.

You should really consider looking into other potential paths, and keeping the game design thing to a hobby-level. As you move through the education system, you will meet people with exceptional talent and motivation who may wish to join you in the hobbyist activity.

And then there's also the entrepreneurial route. The biggest risks generate the biggest rewards. Get a degree in a well-paying field, work hard, live frugally, save, continue developing hobbyist skills, and go off in say 10-15 years and go about creating your own studio.

That's the path I've decided to take, though I have no interest in game development, I'm studying computer science and I'm specializing in AI and networking... two of the greatest potential industries for pay. I won't spend my life in the sector, though, I'm doing it purely to save and start my own business.

You need to consider EVERY possible path. Of course, you're only 15, so you have a million attempts to reinvent yourself, but it's nice to have a bit of a game plan before you leave secondary school. I did, many of my friends didn't... they went to college, some dropped out, some finished and then went to work in jobs that didn't require the college in the first place. Some friends went on to uni to do courses that will benefit them in no way in the future, others are doing courses that they hate, or cannot cope with. These people have potentially wasted 5-6 years of their life, and tens of thousands of pounds.



Lot's of good advice in here. All I'll add is if you're serious then build levels, look for good mods, etc. to join, find ways to get your work noticed - look for level building competitions, etc. and don't just play games but dissect them. When you play a level consider what works, what doesn't and why.

You might also want to try and make connections - you're young but it wouldn't hurt and might help you really get a feel for whether this is for you or not. I've exchanged emails with best selling authors, artists as well as a number of game designers - you'd be surprised how often a well written and polite email gets answered. Use the internet to confirm level editors whose work you like and drop then an email if you can and try and get some feedback from the industry itself.

As SamuelRSmith says think through all the options.



Try to be reasonable... its easier than you think...