›

Need some advice for studying next year

KiNg_KiNg_
in General
I want tk get into the game industry with a focus on programming and I'm currently in (In joburg). Should I go for a degree or is a diploma better? in the case of a degree which would be better between a BscIT, a Beng in digital art or a bachelor's in computer science? Any advice would be appreciated.

Comments

  • ElyaradineElyaradine
    edited
    Someone asked something similar a little while ago. I don't know if your situation's the same, but it may be worth seeing the responses they got: http://www.makegamessa.com/discussion/2575/degree-or-certificate
  • KiNg_KiNg_
    Thanks for the link :) similar situation but not exactly :)
  • ElyaradineElyaradine
    edited
    Okay, well if you have any questions that aren't answered there, I'm sure we'd be happy to offer some advice. In particular, it may help to know what you actually want to do in the game industry, whether there's a particular specialization of programming you're interested in (gameplay, graphics, AI, etc.).
  • KiNg_KiNg_
    Ok well one thing I would like to know is which of the courses/degrees I've mentioned above would be the best for getting into game dev
  • vintarvintar
    Not sure which degree/ course is best but making a few prototypes and creating a portfolio to show is also a very handy thing to have.
  • ElyaradineElyaradine
    Yeah, that's why I asked what you want to do in game dev. Because I think all of the degrees you listed are viable, depending on what your goal is.
  • KiNg_KiNg_
    Yeah I've started experimenting and i know that's an important step, but thanks anyway
  • KiNg_KiNg_
    Well I guess my main goal would be to run my own studio but in terms of actually making games I'd like to program. I was just wondering if those courses would have any advantages over each other.
  • dislekciadislekcia
    edited
    KiNg_ said:
    Well I guess my main goal would be to run my own studio but in terms of actually making games I'd like to program. I was just wondering if those courses would have any advantages over each other.
    Then I would suggest that the most important thing isn't what course you study, but how and where you study it.

    If you want to run your own studio, you should practice being able to talk to people from all the disciplines you'll need to work with in the future. Going to courses in their fields of study is a great way to not only meet a bunch of writers, sound engineers, artists, animators, marketers, psychologists and bankers, but a great way to ground yourself in understanding those disciplines well enough to be able to spot talent when you see it. And to survive as a part of the larger world outside of the boundaries of your compiler.

    You want to go to a university that allows you to mingle and interact with all these people and that means it has to offer broad courses. A college won't cut it, because it's much harder to just walk into a course at a college and not be singled out. Make sure your degree plan has scope for you to take elective modules and that you'll get credit for weird things that might fall outside the scope of some degrees: I took a lot of art, business and english courses at university, an engineering course wouldn't have recognised the credits from those.

    Wherever you go, try to figure out the system ASAP so that you can start pushing it for the maximum benefit it'll give you in the future. You don't want to just do what people tell you to do and listen to them because they have funny hats. You want to take control of your degree and try to use as much of your time as possible to produce games and learn stuff that'll help you be a better developer. Surprisingly enough, that's not ALL about learning to code well ;)
    Thanked by 3Tuism Bensonance damousey
  • KiNg_KiNg_
    Thanks man, any advice is useful :)
  • SkinnyBoySkinnyBoy
    You said programming, so computer science will be a good choice.
  • KiNg_KiNg_
    What's the difference between computer science and IT? Does anyone know?
  • KiNg_KiNg_
    Also does anyone know which would be better to study at between UJ and WITS in terms of IT?
  • CodeCthulhuCodeCthulhu
    As far as I know having spoken to a few people, Bsc.Comp.Sci is all about programming and mathematics with core programming concepts, paradigms and approaches. Including some stuff on compilers and graphics and AI. But a LOT of math, so make sure you enjoy math.
    The B.IT is more general IT stuff. Networks, GIS, Design and mostly information processing type stuff.
    This is all in context of the University of Pretoria, so I guess it will vary between institutions.

    I would say that if you want to program, go for the BSc.Comp.Sci.
    But make a plan to get to the open days for the institutions and ask the folks there what each course entails.

    Good luck!
  • petrcpetrc
    WITS has a game design program focussed on either engineering or arts.

    wsoa.wits.ac.za/digital-arts/postgraduate/game-design-ba-pva/
  • KiNg_KiNg_
    I have seen the course at WITS but do you think it would be worth doing?
  • Kobusvdwalt9Kobusvdwalt9
    @KiNg_

    I am in GR 12 this year and from what people have been telling me I have decided to do a general Bsc Comp Sci degree.

    As far as I am concerned you can learn everything needed to make games on your own. For me personally the degree is a safety net as well as a mechanism for learning "solid" coding skills. As @dislekcia said its also cool for meeting people.
    Another bonus is that you get 3 years of time do make lots of prototypes and generally get better at making games.

    So yeah just some random thoughts.
    Thanked by 4dammit dislekcia garethf creative630
  • KiNg_KiNg_
    Yeah I also wanted a more generalised degree as a safety net, never know what job you'll get in this economy
Sign In or Register to comment.