Computer Games Courses

[Rainbow08]

I am being redundant soon and thinking about my next move.My backround is financial services but want to get out of it.
I am thinking about going back to college and studying for Computer Games Design. Does anyone have any opinion on what the future Job prospects are like in this area or am i wasting my time. Thank You.

 

[WaterSprite]

Do you intend to stay in Ireland? There is little in Ireland for game designers or game developers. In fact, one would never start as an actual designer from the outset - that's a fairly rarefied position. You'd start as a junior programmer, regardless of the degree. There are more positions abroad (check out Edge magazine for UK opportunities). It's not particularly well paid (Gamasutra does an annual survey of salaries I think).

Lots of people find it very rewarding but I'd be extremely slow to move into this area purely on the basis of job prospects, particularly in Ireland where the industry is practically non-existent. Elsewhere, the industry is consolidating and lots of studios are being shut down, unfortunately. It may recover, but it's not in great shape at the moment.

 

[picene]

There is little in Ireland for game designers or game developer

sort of true. Havok who are an Irish company and based in Ireland create a sdk which is used on a lot of ps3, xbox game development.

I would be temepted to a course with a high maths/physics content like physics, maths or may computer science.

Games design especially first person shoots, flight sims and real time stategy games invove a lot of maths in particular in working out how to move objects efficently in 3d.

you could also look at the like of flash games

 

[WaterSprite]

Havok isn't a game developer. Yes, you would need to do mathematics, computer science or physics to be considered for a job there. Doing a games design course would not get you a job in Havok.

I agree that, to get a job in the games industry, one would be better served doing maths, physics or computer science/engineering.

You can try to develop and market your own independent games, but that rarely gives a return. OP asked about job prospects and I still say that there is little in Ireland for games designers or game developers.

 

[gearoid]

Hi,
I'm in IT for 17 years. I feel you're being far too specialised in your approach. If you want to work in software development I would suggest doing a much broader course. Also, and I know you won't want to hear this, leveraging your previous financial skills with your newly found IT knowledge would be much more advantageous in my humble opinion. I know finance is in a poor state at the moment but insurance is not and the US multinationals are hiring again.

Regds,
Gearoid

 

[WaterSprite]

+1

 

[gearoid]

Hi,
I know finance is in a poor state at the moment but insurance is not and the US multinationals are hiring again.

Regds,
Gearoid

I've just missed the irony of this statement given the Quinn issues, but I think it still stands up.

 

[AlbacoreA]

Most people who work in computer games design end up working outside of Ireland. They work long hours, especially near deadlines, and you don't usually get paid for those extra hours, its just expected. That said maybe financial services do that aswell.

 

[tenchi-fan]

I think financial services is a better industry to be in than computer games. Ireland is one of the leading countries for financial services.

I know a lot of people who went to college to do computer-related courses (design, games, programming, etc.) After 4 years some ended up with decent jobs - still, I personally don't know a single person who works in computer games! More ended up working in service desk jobs e.g. "did you restart your pc"

 

[UFC]

I agree with the other posters. Computer game development requires really good maths skills.

You would be better off doing a software development course.

Please bare in mind however that most people are not good at software development and actually hate it. So reseach it fully before making a commitment.