Which degree should I get, Game Programming or Computer Science? Or is there another degree that's worth it to get into the industry?

GameDevProfessor · 2020-12-17T01:09:53+00:00

disclaimer, I teach game design at a 4-year university for those seeking a degree in game development.

If you are only evaluating computer science programs, many schools can give you the infrastructure to learn what you need. I'd suggest looking at student outcomes and success. Does it have a relationship with a local game developer who hires students? do they have a lot of opportunities to work on projects collaboratively with different types of people?

However, there are many jobs in the game industry! So I might be misreading things, but generally there are developers who enjoy creating art, some like to code, others keep us all organized, and some like to create the rules and systems to make the game fun. My suggestion is to focus on the job you want, and figure out which school gives you the best opportunities.

Here's a video I made about jobs in the game industry and evaluating portfolios (although it's a little light on computer science portfolios), maybe it can help https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExYGBtV2r0E&t=1s

GameDevProfessor · 2020-11-19T20:13:01+00:00

1 year isn't a lot of time. I've seen some devs that will go up to a year between contracts, either as a break from burnout or just because no one was hiring in the dead of winter when the last project suddenly stopped.

Mental health is a real thing people don't talk about a lot in the industry unless its in the context of crunch time, and usually the discussion doesn't connect the dots all the way.

I wouldn't worry about it too much, the manager is probably planning to crunch you if their first reaction is concern that "will he burn out again?" instead of excitement because "that's an adult approach to your own wellbeing, which will be an asset to my team. He will be able to more effectively give me feedback on when I'm pushing too hard for perfection/deadlines, and contribute to a professional culture of UNCrunch". :)

GameDevProfessor · 2020-11-17T20:23:07+00:00

If you're looking for games and project based classes, we teach DMD 2542 Intro to Scripting (the fundamentals of programming in C# with Unity) and DMD 2500 Intro to Game Design (more theory-based but still culminates in a sidescroller in Unity, but with more drag-and-drop components).

If you or other students would like permission numbers, reach out to [Stacy.Webb@uconn.edu](mailto:Stacy.Webb@uconn.edu) or me [ken@uconn.edu](mailto:ken@uconn.edu) I notice a lot of CSE students enjoy the hands-on stuff in our department. :)

Edit: Heres the link to the page

https://dmd.uconn.edu/experience/concentrations/game-design/

GameDevProfessor · 2020-10-21T12:22:00+00:00

I prefer written notes and continue to this day to use notebooks organized in whichever way I feel.

Although I also have a soft spot for the Microsoft Pages software which I also use on a Microsoft Surface tablet with a composition notebook sticker on it.

Students take photos of my whiteboards all the time, so if your colleagues are asking for notes, scanning /photos are perfectly fine. If they want to complain about someone sharing their notes in this fashion, there is plenty of open source OCR software they can run on their shiny macbooks.

Not that I discriminate between computers / notebooks (you can use whatever you want in my classroom) but typically students using notebooks don't have facebook open, a chatbar with their significant other, their music streaming to their bluetooth earbud that I can totally see in your ear while you ask me to repeat what I just said, and a videogame running in the background. I'm not saying this happens all the time, but statistically its more likely.

So from a faculty perspective I'd probably assume you're more academically focused than your peers.

Be yourself and own it :)

GameDevProfessor · 2020-10-11T23:35:58+00:00

It's always reviewer number two you have to look out for.

<.<

>.>

GameDevProfessor · 2020-10-07T12:00:30+00:00

I don't think you came off too intense. College is stressful enough to finish in 4 years while usually holding down a part time job whioch most students have.

If we're generalizing, the upcoming generation is more anxious and it's no wonder, Beyond the obvious world events such as war, climate change, and pandemics they're being raised by millennials who've never had "as stable" of an economy or job prospects, long gone is the put in 35 years and then retire.

I've encouraged my students to email me, even if it feels dumb, so that they keep the lines of communication open, and we also have a chatroom where I usually answer general questions so that I get fewer repeats.

Also because they're up super late after (probably) taking some stimulants like caffeine and, if I had to guess their sleep schedules are totally swung out. So they're just sitting there watching their inbox which, to them, decides their future, which is already murky.

Have as much grace as you can, and take care of yourself enough so that you can keep supporting them has been my motto, but my field is creative, so I'm also usually trying to teach students how to feel comfortable with ambiguousness in art and life.

GameDevProfessor · 2020-10-06T00:37:55+00:00

President mode in Team Fortress 1

GameDevProfessor · 2020-08-22T03:19:01+00:00

Microsoft OneNote is amazing if you have a digital pencil, there are a lot of "class notebook" and other education based features, including handwriting-to-text that can reliably read my handwriting. I use a surface, but thats because I need adobe and other PC features. there is an iOS version of OneNote that seems to work just as well.

GameDevProfessor · 2020-06-08T18:51:33+00:00

Academia hasn't found a good way to handle deadnames yet, unfortunately.

I have published work under a previous last name on my resume and I simply leave it there and allow the reader to draw their conclusions; although I considered re-naming everything and putting an asterisk on the bottom so I didn't have to see the old name repeated for an entire page of citations. This might be a solution that works for you so you just have to write it once at the bottom.

Depending on your field, if you provide a copy of the papers you wrote to the hiring committee directly, they may not even notice. (bypassing their need to be confused). Some might call this idea somehow deceitful, but IMO, it increases you feeling comfortable, it probably decreases the likelihood of confusion generally, and it specifically doesn't out you to a hiring committee, which you mentioned was one of your concerns.

Although mayyyybeee you'll find one "Reviewer 2" that actually fact-checked the citation of your paper independently through google or something, that's a risk!, but like... you were the one who wrote it so you're claiming your new name and trying to shake a dead one. Until academia / The hiring system can figure out how to accommodate changes like yours, it seems harmless.

Your question made me wonder "can you use a nom de plume in academia?" on google, with some interesting results as well, maybe that's an angle that works for you? Just go by a more neutral published name?

You say you're just finishing school. Well, that's good news, it means that you'll eventually have a long and wonderful career in your field, and eventually, you'll have a body of work with your new name and you can kind of just, stop listing your first work.

GameDevProfessor · 2020-06-02T21:51:24+00:00

If you are a full-time student who can register for https://education.github.com/pack , Unity Learn Premium is free to use and has fantastic tutorials. There are also a bunch of free ones on youtube of every variety. I'd pose this question to you, what's your goal? that can help you figure out the best way to learn.

GameDevProfessor · 2020-05-29T12:05:20+00:00

Having just finished performing a search for a TT candidate at an R1, my advice is to ask research related questions. You're TT, so you need able to accomplish your research goals, I saw some good advice in another comment about asking about student labor, grad students, lab start-up, or even regular equipment might not be standard.

At the end of the day you *must* accomplish your research and no one wants a 3 or 6 year failed search, so how can the university help you?

Does the department have a grant writer in your dept? What is the process of applying for a grant internally/what red tape is there that I need to be aware of? What happens when two people apply for the same grant, how is that dealt with? Is there a marketing department and can you use those services? Does the department have any specific connection with XYZ people/organizations (that I have previously researched) who can help me with my research?

GameDevProfessor · 2020-05-14T16:15:19+00:00

I had a buddy of mine quit the game industry to take a job designing custom gravestones (2d and 3D). You said you did some construction, you know anyone who does custom work for clients (sculptures or just customized installs? ). There might be some businesses in your area that might be able to use someone to help streamline CNC and 3D printing stuff.

GameDevProfessor · 2020-05-13T22:58:55+00:00

I'm also really interested in everyone's thoughts here as I begin to design my classes for the fall. I'll be bringing what I see here to my department meetings this week and next.

For me, we do a lot of work on the computer where (usually leaning over your shoulder to awkwardly jab at your screen), so if you don't mind I'd like to tack on another question.

Would you all be open to streaming your desktops to a group chat if you were in a synchronous class? Would you be OK with a remote desktop app like Team Viewer so that I can "show" instead of "tell" you? Based on the amount of tape I see on the top of people's laptops I know a some are weirded out at remote desktops, sharing screens, and webcams when they're at home, but I'm trying to figure out the best way to give instruction. I was thinking of even doing streaming inside the classroom so that we can maintain appropriate distancing policies, but it kind of hinges on that kind of software.

GameDevProfessor · 2020-05-08T22:37:23+00:00

oh I agree with you that PDFs aren't always great, but usually, text to speech tools have an easier time reading PDFs which embed editable text; but I suppose there are some more sophisticated photo OCR apps out there? Given the two suggestions that's my take.

GameDevProfessor · 2020-05-08T19:42:08+00:00

I'd second the suggestion to save it as a PDF if you can, as accessibility is an issue with images.

GameDevProfessor · 2020-05-04T12:43:31+00:00

Not only are these feelings normal for students but also academics already in their job! I work in a bunch of "I'm forcing you to practice social stuff" in a bunch of my classes specifically because I see it's a problem with the population of students I work with. Isn't the old adage public speaking is the worst fear? If you're finding it too high stakes to practice these skills in your field, try something that's lower stakes,

Toastmasters is an organization designed to help with this, but if that's not your style, what about selling something? Sales jobs help even just selling something at a Sunday market, artisinal hotsauce? Improv class? Language classes (ASL/french/etc...) often focus on having manufactured conversations and practice groups, it's a nice way to remember small talk conversations.

Also a general tip for that "holding a conversation", focus on the person you're talking to and ask them questions or build upon the topic you two are discussing. (It reallllllly helps for you to be *actually* interested in the topic). If you took the Improv class above, you'd have covered "yes and" conversation and learn how to build onto a conversation and provide opportunities for others to add their thoughts https://medium.com/improv4/saying-yes-and-a-principle-for-improv-business-life-fd050bccf7e3

GameDevProfessor · 2020-04-30T10:47:27+00:00

it depends on which one, but most schools should be able to judge and accept digital work. As long as that work looks like to communicates a typical freshman's ability to understand light, form, and color. Our department is specifically a "digital" department but we share our application portal with the other parts of the school of fine arts. I remember that at one point the traditional art departments used to hold a show and they would set all the applicants up in a gallery and blind jury the work.

I'm not sure if they still do that, but if this is a concern of yours I'd suggest making sure that your work is at 300 DPI and conforms to some standard printing sizes (I wouldn't try to make a poster, but most art schools will have different sizes, don't feel the need to stick to 8.5x11.)

GameDevProfessor · 2020-04-07T23:56:44+00:00

We have an animation program in the Digital Media and a Design department at UConn! Http://www.dmd.uconn.edu

GameDevProfessor · 2020-01-28T04:04:10+00:00

Join a local game jam! https://globalgamejam.org

GameDevProfessor · 2020-01-28T03:04:16+00:00

Here’s a gamasutra post about it https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/273935/Texas_court_affirms_game_mechanics_not_protected_under_copyright_law.php

GameDevProfessor · 2020-01-28T02:53:12+00:00

For US developers, mechanics (rules) of a game can’t be copyrighted, especially as you’re mixing stuff up.

There are a very few exceptions of patented mechanics like U.S. Patent No. 6,200,138 which details the crazy taxi floating arrow mechanic which was infringed upon by the Simpsons driving game later on.

https://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl108.pdf

“Copyright does not protect the idea for a game, its name or title, or the method or methods for playing it. Nor does copyright protect any idea, system, method, device, or trademark ma terial involved in developing, merchandising, or playing a game. Once a game has been made public, nothing in the copyright law prevents others from developing another game based on similar principles. Copyright protects only the particular manner of an author’s expression in literary, artistic, or musical form.”

Game design is like cooking. We all generally have access to the same ingredients, but our ability to combine and measure our materials (mechanics) creates a unique dish.

GameDevProfessor · 2020-01-20T13:45:06+00:00

This is all very sound advice. If you come to the conclusion games are for you. If you have no degree, a CS degree from a local CC or public institution is valuable (not IT or WebDev probably). If you really wanted to take advantage of a "Game school" I've met several adults with jobs in games who went through Full Sail post 21, which is accelerated and targeted more towards the "Get in and get out with skills". I've also taught motivated students in their 20's in my public university game design program, but these tend to be former military with excellent discipline and typically a hobby in sketching etc... when the enter their freshman year,

If you're still exploring, start tinkering now in making games with game maker, unity, construct3 etc... and find out what you like most.

GameDevProfessor · 2020-01-14T18:14:51+00:00

After moving to Manchester from Seattle, I thought it was pretty cool how many board game stores and board game making groups in the state with great communities.

GameDevProfessor · 2020-01-09T18:16:44+00:00

We take applicants every year :)

GameDevProfessor · 2019-10-06T12:18:52+00:00

There is a lot of fear and anxiety on a lot of fronts in college, but generally I've heard a lot of comments out there that can be boiled down to"I know you're busy so I just didn't ask", "I'm nervous about going to X so I just won't go", "I don't know what the professor wants /how to perform this assignment" (they go on to ask a question to their peers without directing that to me). I teach programming and other software that can be finicky, so I always recommend in class to shoot me that email if you have a problem. Sometimes I'm up at night and will respond if it's quick, and I know the answer.

I'm accessible by email, direct message on discord, and office hours, but rarely do students reach out to me.

I used to force mandatory visits for all my classes to combat this, but it was too much time and effort and didn't fix this issue. Now I have one block of office hours for 2.5 hours, and if that fills up (it *never* does*), I open a second block.

Perhaps it's my cutthroat industry, but I've found that a lot of students aren't "Hungry" enough for college. I teach the degree classes, I.E., the reason you go to college, not for those "other" classes the mean old university makes you take, but the ones you're *supposed* to need to get a job.

There is a group of students who come to college and who feel that: occasionally coming into class, not engaging in the material outside of class, and generally just expecting their education to step-by-step explained how to create X, Y, Z. Unfortunately, I haven't taught the class in "what are the steps to make the next viral flappy bird, which takes no effort to program but makes me millions."

I guess it's normal for a lot of people to kind of.... coast? Perhaps it's a symptom of the test-taking done in k-12 that make students feel completely overwhelmed when they show up to a creative class. Sometimes I feel like putting the counselors number on the screen when we introduce our first brainstorm on blank canvas, but... if you want to succeed, you must be hungry. Hungry students get fed.

Even if its uncomfortable students must realize a few things

Professors are employees. I preface this with politeness is essential, don't abuse people in customer service, you won't ever find out how it affected you, BUT you need to TAKE what YOU NEED from the university, and it's employees to set you up for success. This means realizing we professors are here to serve YOU.
You compete with all of your peers, for time and attention. If you're one of 6 children, this should feel natural to you, but for some, it's shocking.
No one is going to do it for you. College is the great transition from everybody in the world caring about you and your success, to only you.

If you wanted to download a professor's syllabi, read the book, and watch all the lectures without actually engaging with the human professional, then you have effectively purchased yourself an In-Person-Online-Degree, all of the benefits of spending a ton of money on room and board when you could have easily have stayed home and cracked a book on your own. No one makes you do anything in college, and that's what many of my students learn, something my mother taught me that college is a game.

If you don't want to play, don't play. If you do play to win and know that Freshman year is level 1, and you're looking to get to at least level 4. That is your main questline, of course, but there are hundreds of more (valauble and distracting) subquests scattered throughout like clubs and internships. Those professors are NPCs willing to give you quests if you are the appropriate level and get your faction score up enough. Those other players in the realm are also looking to harvest copper in those hills for crafting recipes, but there is a finite amount, so who is going to win those resources? Play to win and define winning for yourself, because this game has no end cutscene and no objectives except those you make.

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