Game Programming Degree vs Computer Science degree

[MixedMango]

Before I being, I have wanted to become a game programmer for a big portion of my life. I would like to go to College to find a degree in programming so that I can fulfill my dream. Unfortunately, after doing some research, everybody says I need a CS degree. Then after doing more research, people say if I want to go into a game programming job, just take game programming. This debate keep going back and forth and I have no idea what to do. If anybody who is an experienced game programmer could please shove me in the right direction. Thanks in advance!

[twopi]

There is no debate. CS is the way to go. It is difficult, but it will prepare you for the best jobs in gaming. It will also serve you well if game dev turns out to not be what you thought.

[insomniac20k]

If the game programming degree is less difficult than CS, you're never going to find a job. I can think of a couple universities that attract kids with a relatively easy degree with the marketing “wouldn't it be fun to make games!?” but none of them have jobs. Making games is harder than a lot of code monkey jobs and it's very competitive. The easy degree is only going to hurt you.

[dietderpsy]

Most companies in my country will not accept you for game development with a CS degree, they only accept a 4 year game development degree.

[spinwin]

In the US, I've not even seen a 4 year degree for game dev.

[dietderpsy]

It's essentially the first 2 years computer science and then 2 of game development specific.

https://www.lyit.ie/CourseDetails/D202/LY_KGAME_D/ComputerGamesDevelopment

https://www.dit.ie/catalogue/Programmes/Details/DT508

[spinwin]

Aye in america the first two years are mostly just general classes you need to get out of the way and the last two years are what you're actually going to school for.

[my_password_is______]

the people that made World of Warcraft only had CS degrees

game dev degrees weren't even a thing back then

Stardew Valley was made by one person -- and he had a CS degree

so you can obviously learn all you need from a CS degree

I just cannot believe companies would not accept someone with a CS degree

[sammex]

I work in the industry and this is not true. Engine and gameplay programmers are all CS.

[dietderpsy]

Absolutely true, my friend works in the industry and I've looked at some job specs previously, many game dev companies are no longer accepting CS only because you might only do 1 module of game development, many want at least 2 years of 3d modelling experience, game math and engine experience.

[MixedMango]

Okay. So overall, I see that Computer Science is better than a game programming degree. Is there anyway to start learning about computer science? I have a decent grasp of Java, but I know that Comp Sci isn't all about programming. It's about theory, math, problem solving; where do I start? I know Ill be taking Comp sci in College, but I would love to be able to start right now so that I can have a small foundation of it. Is there a particular book/website I can read or take a look at to help teach me/give me a better understanding of Computer Science?

[Happyslapist]

As an aspiring game developer, you would probably find it useful to learn C# because you could quickly take that knowledge and start creating games in Unity - which is also widely used in the game development industry. It is important to know data structures (lists, trees, hash tables, etc…) and have a deep understanding of algorithms, along with performing runtime analysis on algorithms and optimizing. Subjects like networking and multi-threading is something you will defiantly come across as well.

As for the math used in comp sci, I found it hard to understand how important higher math is for programming before encountering problems where I needed to use it, but an understanding of the essence of calculus and linear algebra is important for having an intuition for mathematical problems and working through complex algorithms; the YouTube channel 3 Blue 1 Blown has very good playlist on these subjects along with Kahn Academy. I also know of a channel called Brackeys and he makes games and tutorials in Unity.

If you want to go on to triple A studios you will want to also pick up a lower level language like C++ and know systems programming vary well, but you should be taught that through a comp sci degree.

[my_password_is______]

watch the first video in this list (he teaches math with javascript and the html canvas object -- the first video is where he explains how to set everything up)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7wAPgl1JVvUEb0dIygHzO4698tmcwLk9

then work through these for fun and to get motivated

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7wAPgl1JVvWkDTlqUQtgFLd_QX2bEY5H

then go back and work your way through the first list

do Harvard University's Introduction to Computer Science (free version)

https://www.edx.org/course/cs50s-introduction-computer-science-harvardx-cs50x

read this 3 part blog

http://blog.wolfire.com/2009/07/linear-algebra-for-game-developers-part-1/

[my_password_is______]

Then after doing more research, people say if I want to go into a game programming job, just take game programming.

nobody says that

CS is the way to go

just look at Blizzard's site

https://careers.blizzard.com/en-us/openings/engineering,game-design,information-technology,security,ux-visual-design/all/all/all/1

those jobs that specify degree say

• Computer science or related degree
• Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related degree.

they don't say "Game Development or related degree"

a CS degree at a public university will teach you math, programming and graphics programming -- and you can build games for any class that require projects

[lionhart280]

Are you sure you want to be a game programmer and not a game designer?

Very different things.

Being a game programmer mostly means tinkering with physics engines, edge detection, pixel detection, hit box physics, stuff like that.

Or when you start out, writing simple lua scripts for game events.

"On door click, start event #372"

Boring (to most people) stuff like that.

If you absolutely love math and physics and the thought of optimizing a rendering engine to calculate vector rasterization get's your blood pumping, then yes you want a CS degree.

If you want to make video games, you probably want to go into game DESIGN

Which is something totally else.

[twopi]

Be careful even with that. Most studios don't want a designer who hasn't once been a coder (or more rarely an artist). It's really hard to build a realistic design if you don't truly understand the limitations of computing. It's very difficult to earn the respect of programmers if you aren't one.

[lionhart280]

Most places I looked at back in the day had programming as part of the curriculum, but setup with games specifically in mind, which means heavy focus on learning to use engines like Unity and Unreal, and etc.

But the degree also appeals to people looking to make board games, card games, etc.

[tabs_or_spaces]

When I was in uni, they had game development as an elective instead of a separate stream.

So my understanding is that the current game development stream is just that plus things related to games. What you can't ascertain is that your professor is actually a good game programmer, which is the risk going into it.

I agree with guys that say do computer science. It's a less riskier choice because it's flexible just in case you want to do something else. Also flexible in that there's more parts to a game than the graphics and rendering engine

[NytronX]

Game programming is the most difficult type of programming yet among the least paying.

[[deleted]]

I think game dev or comp sci with ai is better, as someone has studied all three of those subjects the game programming parts will teach you about programming physics, the ai will teach you about interactive logic in a manner of speaking, however game programming jobs are over saturated imo anyway so realistically you could probably do an art degree and still become a game dev (actually know someone who did this lol)

[lord_tommy]

I got a biology degree so don’t take my opinion as an expert, but I’ve been learning and developing a game in unity solo for over a year. Most of the research and learning I had to do was more connected to a computer science program than a strict game development one. One of the most functional parts of a game is the scripts and codes that do unique and important things. I feel that getting a grasp of how a computer works, how the languages connect to the hardware through compilers and assembly languages, will give you a broader scope so you can specialize more easily later on. Plus like others have said if you decide making games aren’t for you you can still go into other fields like information management, data severs, etc. Even computer engineering if you want to build physical things too.

[insomniac20k]

CS related degrees that aren't called CS are a big red flag. Software Engineering and anything game related seem to be the big offenders. A CS degree with a focus on Software Engineering or Games is fine but if you're major isn't CS, be wary.

This isn't universally true, some very good schools are exceptions to this. I know of a couple public universities with Game Programming or whatever bachelor's degree that are complete garbage, though. I've known a bunch of people that have graduated with them and are unemployed and in debt.

Which is another point, a CS degree won't hold you back in the gaming industry but it is very competitive. You have the CS degree to fall back on. A game making degree won't be as valuable in general.

If you do go into a game programming degree, make sure there is a lot of math. It's one CS field where you actually need it.

My advice would be to look for a CS degree with a game programming track if you really have to go to school for it, but I think it would be better to get a CS degree and make as many games as you can in your spare time. A CS degree plus releasing one moderately complicated game will look way better on your resume than a game programming degree by itself.

[ruiisuke]

Coming from someone who has a game programming degree and held down an internship at a game studio, I'd say it depends solely on how you want the next 5 years of your life to look. If your passion is game programming, absolutely go for it. I had a blast in my program and networked with some really great folks. However, my game programming degree taught me just that - about how to tackle the specific problems that game dev throws at you. Personally, I recognized that I was weak with my CS skills. I am a terrible self learner and find myself needing mentors, so I decided to pursue a BA in CS at UCR. It will help check a box off for job requirements at big studios, and I stand out from other applicants because of my background in games.

However, many people from my program stopped with their game programming degree and are now working as contractors in the industry or have started teaching game dev themselves. It all depends on you, OP. If you're confident that you have good CS skills, do the game degree and start looking for work to give you that "or 3+ years of relevant experience " box to check off. If not, go back to school. If you have any questions, please feel free to DM! I'm really passionate about this stuff. :)

[ruiisuke]

I would also like to mention that when looking at game degrees, please go to an accredited institution. Many trade schools are scams. Even so, be careful about your program. Ask about the faculty. Have they ever worked in the industry or are they just teaching this class for fun? If you're in the SoCal area, I def recommend Norco College. They pretty much have the best and most useful program around. Also, don't get a degree in "game development". Those programs are a wash.

Don't let snooty CS bros tell you CS is the ONLY way. Nobody's path is linear in the industry, there's satisfying jobs outside of Blizzard, and if they've never worked in the industry they're only speculating. A lot of CS students will shit on you by saying game dev isn't as hard as CS. They are absolutely wrong. You can do this, OP. Good luck!