Hey guys, I'm thinking about studying a graduate program in the line of videogame design, nothing specific yet as I'm gathering information.
I've got no real studies on programming stuff, but I've got some on graphic design aswell as 3d and animation. More like a level designer, creative development, 3d and animation or something like project management. I have some family in Canada and I was wondering if anyone here knows anything about universities or programs there, I'm from Mexico btw.
I'm more interested on the british side of Canada as I don't speak french and that would be an issue. My family lives in Toronto and they suggested Waterloo, I got no idea of how far that is but I can investigate.
So basically I'm just asking for opinions, names, places, suggestions or anything that might help me make my mind. Like: How's Canada placed in the videogame industry? Anyone knows wich are universities are good? How about jobs? Requirements? Recomendations?
I'm only considering to go to study right now, probably moving somewhere else to work in the future but everything you can tell me is fine.
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As someone who has been an active mapper/modder for multiple games straight from WarCraft 2 up to StarCraft 2 and who has now landed a job as a designer for a relatively big indie game (20 devs), here's what I'd say:
Don't put money into a gaming orientated study unless it's really easy/convenient for you to do anyway. From what me and mine have experienced, getting into the games industry is hard. Platforms like Steam have been making it easier, but the thing is still that the majority of people in the industry don't seem to put much stock by Games educations: they are still moreso looking for portfolio's and personal work. My current 'boss' would confirm this - he's said literally that there aren't really any good 'game design' educations and that he picked his team members mostly based on their experiences. Both being able to have something to show off, and having someone to show this off to who can work as an entry point are the two most important factors for getting a foot in the door. An education is a plus, but especially when it comes to game or level design it's far from crucial.
Things would be slightly different if you were looking to outright become a programmer or artist, but seeing as how you specifically mentioned already having graphic design experiences and looking for level design, creative development or project management I'm going to assume this isn't the direction you want to go in.
In a nutshell, here's what I'd recommend to you:
Don't put this much energy into finding an education if you want to be a games designer. Don't move from Mexico all the way to Canada just to find some sort of game development study - it's not worth it. If you really want to do this or want to get out of Mexico for some other reason, then position yourself somewhere in California and as close to Silicon Valley as possible. Finding a study or internship there can then serve as a basis for establishing connections that will help in landing you a paid position lateron. Aside from that, work on a 'portfolio'. This doesn't even need to be a digital directory filled with screenshots, but just make sure you've got something to show to anyone who would be looking for help on his game. Make sure you can do something like I did in the opening line of this post and tell people that you've got a lot of mapping/modding experience, and maybe have a couple of rigged and animated models ready to show off. Alternatively, use your modeling and animating experience to land a job as a modeler or animator and make a transition towards game design from there within a company.
A lot of it comes down to meeting the right people and being in the right place at the right time and an education does help, but if you really want to head into the design direction then I wouldn't recommend putting this much effort into it.
Thank you so much for your reply. It really clears out lots of questions an of course creates more.
I want to go to study into Canada, I'm finishing my architecture studies and I've taken many graphic design and 3d diplomates, certificates etc. Also I've been working on many building visualizations, animations and of course playing around with a couple of games by making some custom units and (mostly) designing levels. My experience is bigger in the RTS genre though I've done a couple of FPS levels and skins.
I decided to go to Canada anyway just to try what it's like, but I don't know really how much an architect can get into that industry, so I though studying something on the line would be nice. I simply do not consider programming as I don't have the minimum requirements in the studies to apply.
Anyway, I'm already working on the portfolio 'cause in one university they didn't even ask for studies just the portfolio. Again, thank you for your answer it's been most helpful and I'll adjust my studies to something else, unless you still recommend it.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I like the lore. Check my latest projects at:
My Profile and My Team
That's good to hear, I'm glad my input helped! Feel free to keep posting if you have any more questions or want to discuss anything else.
In regards to your points: if you've got an architecture study in the pocket, an arsenal of graphic design and 3d certificates and some examples of your work, you're already a very good step in the right direction. I'm sure there are indie companies who would hire you already - I know you would have had a fair chance in the one I work, had we been looking for people. Adding a study on top of that will increase your chances even more - architect studies, graphic design certificates, a portfolio of work and a study in game design seems like a golden combination that could get you picked up even by bigger companies such as Ubisoft, EA or Blizzard. You just need to be sure you're prepared to do moving for that, since the chances are you'll end up in Silicon Valley.
Still though, even with your CV behind you, I'd have to see a lot of getting into the industry is knowing the right people. Maybe your uni can serve as a place for getting you contacts - otherwise you'll have some time as an indie developer ahead of you before landing a more stable and secure position. If anything, prioritize this over anything else. Having a study is a nice plus, but knowing the people is what eventually gets you where you want to be - it's what did for me and I don't have any game design related certificates or studies.
Either way, good luck with your study and enjoy Canada. At least it's a great country, so there's that :)
Well I must say thanks for the dedicated answers, you've been by far the most helpful about this issue.I think you're right, knowing the right people is very important -I think- in every career to get the better opportunities.
I'm just fightened about the Indie Games 'cause in Mexico there's nothing about videogames design, the studies are in some states but no real companies or indies. So I'm an ignorant about how this works.
I think I'm gonna study in Canada and like you said, get the connections there, then I might move to Silicon Valley.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I like the lore. Check my latest projects at:
My Profile and My Team
Well I must say thanks for the dedicated answers, you've been by far the most helpful about this issue.I think you're right, knowing the right people is very important -I think- in every career to get the better opportunities.
This is true, but I think it's the primary thing that lands you a job in this particular industry. The thing is, if you do any sort of law/economical/whathaveyou education, you'll be able to find yourself a job with relative ease (even if it sucks and you have to work your way up). If you live in the neighbourhood of any relatively large city, there's going to be multiple law firms/economical advisors around. Game designers are concentrated in specific pockets around the world - the job is still highly specialized.
I'm just fightened about the Indie Games 'cause in Mexico there's nothing about videogames design, the studies are in some states but no real companies or indies. So I'm an ignorant about how this works.
From what I've found, developers are usually (ex-)gamers and such themselves. While location can help, you need to keep in mind that a lot of companies (and especially indie companies) work digitally. My company, for example, has people living in the UK, Russia, Hong Kong, Australia and the United States. Because of this, location is relatively unimportant for a game designer when looking in specific directions. Hence what I initially said: focus on connections and a portfolio - if you end up moving, get close to Silicon Valley; aside from that, you'll be fine.
I'm a college student in silicon valley, which i guess is known for creating big tech companies. The colleges offer Computer Science B.S. with specializations in game design.
you can also get certifications and associates but the B.S. is the big one. It supposedly will place you in any game development field. looking at blizzard's careers requirements, this seems very true, for programming and engineering
They also have Computer Design, but i don't know much about that.
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Hey guys, I'm thinking about studying a graduate program in the line of videogame design, nothing specific yet as I'm gathering information.
I've got no real studies on programming stuff, but I've got some on graphic design aswell as 3d and animation. More like a level designer, creative development, 3d and animation or something like project management. I have some family in Canada and I was wondering if anyone here knows anything about universities or programs there, I'm from Mexico btw.
I'm more interested on the british side of Canada as I don't speak french and that would be an issue. My family lives in Toronto and they suggested Waterloo, I got no idea of how far that is but I can investigate.
So basically I'm just asking for opinions, names, places, suggestions or anything that might help me make my mind. Like: How's Canada placed in the videogame industry? Anyone knows wich are universities are good? How about jobs? Requirements? Recomendations?
I'm only considering to go to study right now, probably moving somewhere else to work in the future but everything you can tell me is fine.
Hey Urzaiz,
As someone who has been an active mapper/modder for multiple games straight from WarCraft 2 up to StarCraft 2 and who has now landed a job as a designer for a relatively big indie game (20 devs), here's what I'd say:
Don't put money into a gaming orientated study unless it's really easy/convenient for you to do anyway. From what me and mine have experienced, getting into the games industry is hard. Platforms like Steam have been making it easier, but the thing is still that the majority of people in the industry don't seem to put much stock by Games educations: they are still moreso looking for portfolio's and personal work. My current 'boss' would confirm this - he's said literally that there aren't really any good 'game design' educations and that he picked his team members mostly based on their experiences. Both being able to have something to show off, and having someone to show this off to who can work as an entry point are the two most important factors for getting a foot in the door. An education is a plus, but especially when it comes to game or level design it's far from crucial.
Things would be slightly different if you were looking to outright become a programmer or artist, but seeing as how you specifically mentioned already having graphic design experiences and looking for level design, creative development or project management I'm going to assume this isn't the direction you want to go in.
In a nutshell, here's what I'd recommend to you:
Don't put this much energy into finding an education if you want to be a games designer. Don't move from Mexico all the way to Canada just to find some sort of game development study - it's not worth it. If you really want to do this or want to get out of Mexico for some other reason, then position yourself somewhere in California and as close to Silicon Valley as possible. Finding a study or internship there can then serve as a basis for establishing connections that will help in landing you a paid position lateron. Aside from that, work on a 'portfolio'. This doesn't even need to be a digital directory filled with screenshots, but just make sure you've got something to show to anyone who would be looking for help on his game. Make sure you can do something like I did in the opening line of this post and tell people that you've got a lot of mapping/modding experience, and maybe have a couple of rigged and animated models ready to show off. Alternatively, use your modeling and animating experience to land a job as a modeler or animator and make a transition towards game design from there within a company.
A lot of it comes down to meeting the right people and being in the right place at the right time and an education does help, but if you really want to head into the design direction then I wouldn't recommend putting this much effort into it.
@Mozared: Go
Thank you so much for your reply. It really clears out lots of questions an of course creates more.
I want to go to study into Canada, I'm finishing my architecture studies and I've taken many graphic design and 3d diplomates, certificates etc. Also I've been working on many building visualizations, animations and of course playing around with a couple of games by making some custom units and (mostly) designing levels. My experience is bigger in the RTS genre though I've done a couple of FPS levels and skins.
I decided to go to Canada anyway just to try what it's like, but I don't know really how much an architect can get into that industry, so I though studying something on the line would be nice. I simply do not consider programming as I don't have the minimum requirements in the studies to apply.
Anyway, I'm already working on the portfolio 'cause in one university they didn't even ask for studies just the portfolio. Again, thank you for your answer it's been most helpful and I'll adjust my studies to something else, unless you still recommend it.
@urzaiz87: Go
That's good to hear, I'm glad my input helped! Feel free to keep posting if you have any more questions or want to discuss anything else.
In regards to your points: if you've got an architecture study in the pocket, an arsenal of graphic design and 3d certificates and some examples of your work, you're already a very good step in the right direction. I'm sure there are indie companies who would hire you already - I know you would have had a fair chance in the one I work, had we been looking for people. Adding a study on top of that will increase your chances even more - architect studies, graphic design certificates, a portfolio of work and a study in game design seems like a golden combination that could get you picked up even by bigger companies such as Ubisoft, EA or Blizzard. You just need to be sure you're prepared to do moving for that, since the chances are you'll end up in Silicon Valley.
Still though, even with your CV behind you, I'd have to see a lot of getting into the industry is knowing the right people. Maybe your uni can serve as a place for getting you contacts - otherwise you'll have some time as an indie developer ahead of you before landing a more stable and secure position. If anything, prioritize this over anything else. Having a study is a nice plus, but knowing the people is what eventually gets you where you want to be - it's what did for me and I don't have any game design related certificates or studies.
Either way, good luck with your study and enjoy Canada. At least it's a great country, so there's that :)
Well I must say thanks for the dedicated answers, you've been by far the most helpful about this issue.I think you're right, knowing the right people is very important -I think- in every career to get the better opportunities.
I'm just fightened about the Indie Games 'cause in Mexico there's nothing about videogames design, the studies are in some states but no real companies or indies. So I'm an ignorant about how this works.
I think I'm gonna study in Canada and like you said, get the connections there, then I might move to Silicon Valley.
This is true, but I think it's the primary thing that lands you a job in this particular industry. The thing is, if you do any sort of law/economical/whathaveyou education, you'll be able to find yourself a job with relative ease (even if it sucks and you have to work your way up). If you live in the neighbourhood of any relatively large city, there's going to be multiple law firms/economical advisors around. Game designers are concentrated in specific pockets around the world - the job is still highly specialized.
From what I've found, developers are usually (ex-)gamers and such themselves. While location can help, you need to keep in mind that a lot of companies (and especially indie companies) work digitally. My company, for example, has people living in the UK, Russia, Hong Kong, Australia and the United States. Because of this, location is relatively unimportant for a game designer when looking in specific directions. Hence what I initially said: focus on connections and a portfolio - if you end up moving, get close to Silicon Valley; aside from that, you'll be fine.
Ypu ought to ask in game development communities too, TIGSource seems to be a good resource for that.
Go play Antioch Chronicles Remastered!
Also, coming soon, Antioch Episode 3: Thoughts in Chaos!
Dont like mapster's ugly white? Try Mapster's Classic Skin!
@Alevice: Go
Thank you, I'll do that too starting with TIGSource. Noticed you're from Mexico too! ;)
Just noticed you are, haha!
Go play Antioch Chronicles Remastered!
Also, coming soon, Antioch Episode 3: Thoughts in Chaos!
Dont like mapster's ugly white? Try Mapster's Classic Skin!
@Alevice: Go
Yeah, I didn't know anyone from Mexico here, nice
I'm a college student in silicon valley, which i guess is known for creating big tech companies. The colleges offer Computer Science B.S. with specializations in game design.
you can also get certifications and associates but the B.S. is the big one. It supposedly will place you in any game development field. looking at blizzard's careers requirements, this seems very true, for programming and engineering
They also have Computer Design, but i don't know much about that.