Game Schools and Reorganizing
by Nate "Nateholio" Watson · 01/21/2006 (3:18 pm) · 3 comments
Again, I am reorganizing how my game engine handles things. Its been an interesting learning experience so far. My biggest mistake was not following the organization plans I had drawn up several years ago and just jumping right into engine coding out of excitement. So now I am stuck tearing what little I have completed in my engine apart and putting my original plans into code. Lots of wated time, but a good learning experience. ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR PLANS WHEN BEGINNING A PROJECT, then tweak/add/delete as needed LATER.
Now for the school subject - asked to those of you who have real-world experience in making games. I am looking to attend a school whose main focus is game design. I WILL be living in Ventura County CA, no ifs, ands, or buts. Are there any such schools that you would recommend within a reasonable (50-75 maybe even 100) mile radius of Ventura County? It seems that most gaming-specific schools are in WA, FL, or AZ. For those of you who aren't familiar with the location of Ventura County, its between LA and Santa Barbara. LA is about an hour drive south and Santa Barbara is about an hour north. Maybe some local colleges/universities have programs that you would recommend? This isn't me asking IF there are programs around the area, its me asking if there anre any that are worth my time in the view of those that have REAL development experience.
Anyway, thanks for the read and recommendations! :)
Now for the school subject - asked to those of you who have real-world experience in making games. I am looking to attend a school whose main focus is game design. I WILL be living in Ventura County CA, no ifs, ands, or buts. Are there any such schools that you would recommend within a reasonable (50-75 maybe even 100) mile radius of Ventura County? It seems that most gaming-specific schools are in WA, FL, or AZ. For those of you who aren't familiar with the location of Ventura County, its between LA and Santa Barbara. LA is about an hour drive south and Santa Barbara is about an hour north. Maybe some local colleges/universities have programs that you would recommend? This isn't me asking IF there are programs around the area, its me asking if there anre any that are worth my time in the view of those that have REAL development experience.
Anyway, thanks for the read and recommendations! :)
#2
Santa Cruz offered an intro game design class this quarter - I'm taking it and it has been excellent. My opinion is that what you get from the degrees offered by the two UCs, based on all the related classes I've been in(and that's been a lot of them), will be at least as good as what's offered from the well-known game schools.
01/24/2006 (12:11 am)
If you want to take a chance on a new program, UC Santa Barbara (and where I'm going, UC Santa Cruz) will both be offering technical game degrees in a year or so; I understand their plans are very similar and the one I looked at has a mix of some math, some EE, some programming, a smattering of arts courses(but not as the focus) and some new game-specific courses including a senior project that takes the whole year. They will also be creating a game lab with high-powered computers, consoles, and their respective dev kits(any ones they can get, at least).Santa Cruz offered an intro game design class this quarter - I'm taking it and it has been excellent. My opinion is that what you get from the degrees offered by the two UCs, based on all the related classes I've been in(and that's been a lot of them), will be at least as good as what's offered from the well-known game schools.
#3
11/24/2006 (8:42 pm)
I attended the University of Advancing Technology in Tempe AZ, and the Bachelors I received there helped me get a good job in the industry. This isn't close enough to your location but, I would have to say that UAT is among the most (if not the most) comprehensive and well respected programs in the industry.
Employee Scott Burns
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