What kind of degree would be good for an aspiring game designer?

I wanna design games, at least someday down the road, but I was wondering if there was a certain degree you could go for to help out. For example, I know a Computer Science degree would be good for someone who wants to be a programmer in the game industry, but I can't think of a degree suited for a game designer. Come on Gamespot and Gamespot fans! Help me out!

Masters Degree for Game Design or Game Art

Masters Degree for Game Design or Game Art

E3Abe09

Yeah these are good if you are only looking for that, Programming is also a great thing to major or minor in if you want to get into the guts of game design, and has more uses then just game development too giving you some backup.

Computer science is your safest bet really. I mean yeah you can go for something game specific but the game industry isn't exactly the easiest thing to break into and if you ever need to do something not game releated a CS degree looks better i would think. A CS degree give you much bigger playing field imo + its good for a game designer. When developers are looking for new people im sure they are usually looking for people with CS degrees. well at least for the programming side. If you want to do the art side of thing the yeah game art.

With exception for programming, a degree will more or less be worthless. Building a portfolio of your work is by far the most useful material for getting employed.

Computer science. Then you can get a degree in game design.

If you like computers, then go into software engineering and start to learn programming languages on your own asap. If you like the more story elements of gaming, then go into writing.

I think you need to do more research. You want to "design games" but game programmers don't design games. Hell, even "Game Designers" don't design games - they design game mechanics systems.

Find more information on the different types of game development and consider focusing on the one that interests you the most. If you really like art, you'll enjoy being an artist far more than a programmer.

Most widely known game "designers" are programmers or artists.

If you have the artistic talent, then a degree in art or even a technical certificate for 3D modeling/animation might get you to where you wan to go.

Programming is probably your best bet, since you can fall back to some other job in the software industry until you find an opening in the game industry.

There are a lot of people in the industry who have engineering and math degrees as well, though programming courses/self study will also help.

Computer Science definitely is great. I'm going for CS degree and the great thing about it is that learning several programming languages can get you a job anywhere whether it be working in developing games or developing other type of software. A bachelor in CS would make you a software engineer which is definitely something that is needed more and more in society with the increasing use of software in EVERYTHING that is becoming digital.

Russian literature or women studiesimaps3fanboy

Major in game design...

Shigeru Miyamoto - Dropped out of college

Sid Meier - Never went to college

Cliffy B - Went to college, but he's an ass face anyway.

Tojiro Fugimoto - Dropped out after one year

BE BOLD

I'm sure computer science would be good for game design as well.

Wow thanks guys! A lot to think about. I know that experience is better then anything in this industry but a degree couldn't hurt. So I'm thinking Computer Science? Getting into the industry as a programmer and working my way up as I go. From what you guys are telling me, that's the best way to go, and maybe a few creative writing classes, to help with the stroy telling aspect of game design. Feel free to keep this thread going! Very interesting opinions being said.

Computer Science

Wow thanks guys! A lot to think about. I know that experience is better then anything in this industry but a degree couldn't hurt. So I'm thinking Computer Science? Getting into the industry as a programmer and working my way up as I go. From what you guys are telling me, that's the best way to go, and maybe a few creative writing classes, to help with the stroy telling aspect of game design. Feel free to keep this thread going! Very interesting opinions being said.

Cronicx-

History or philosophy.

EDIT: Literature.

Com Sci or Software Engineering major with a digital media minor.

English. Tell me a good story TC.

There is no job you can just jump in to and start making your dream game.markop2003

[QUOTE="markop2003"]There is no job you can just jump in to and start making your dream game.Zeviander

That doesn't guarantee I can make my dream game. Maybe my dream game needs to license the latest Unreal engine and get Morgan Freeman, Patrick Stewart, and Orson Welles to do voicework.

If you really want to be a game designer/developer, you need to start learning how to use programs like 3D Studio Max, UDK or Unreal Ed, Maya, Photoshop or other game engines and their editors and such. Start by creating mods for games (that still allow it) and build a portfolio of your work. You are more likely to get a job with a developer as an artist/modler if you can showcase the fact that you are knowledgeable in the programs used to build assets for games.

There are many instances of modders being hired by game studios to work on newer games. Once your foot is in the door, you can eventually move up the ladder to become the lead artist or the like.

Now, a degree in CS will not hurt if you would rather become a programmer (they work on the engine itself), but if you want to build a game, the above listed programs are a must know requisite.

Don't do any language degree. It's the worst thing that you can do.

Shigeru Miyamoto - Dropped out of college

Sid Meier - Never went to college

Cliffy B - Went to college, but he's an ass face anyway.

Tojiro Fugimoto - Dropped out after one year

BE BOLD

SaintWalrus

You can't go wrong with a Computer Science degree.Shottayouth13-

[QUOTE="Shottayouth13-"]You can't go wrong with a Computer Science degree.wis3boi

If you get a major in game design ur screwing urself over. That degree isn't part of a proper standard yet, and is kinda worthless in the grand scale of things.get compsci that way u'll have ur options open just incase plus ur education in computers will be more involved.

am on that path now, university of liverpool studying software development (computer science), have game development and AI for modules after the summer, bought the module book now get a head start cant wait

am on that path now, university of liverpool studying software development (computer science), have game development and AI for modules after the summer, bought the module book now get a head start cant wait

Gagzzy

Congratz dude! keep it up and best of luck on your path to success in the industry. Hopefully I'll be right behind you :)

software engineering, if you don't get your dream job atleast you will make more cash than most people on this site ever would wii60_3

[QUOTE="Gagzzy"]

am on that path now, university of liverpool studying software development (computer science), have game development and AI for modules after the summer, bought the module book now get a head start cant wait

Cronicx-

Congratz dude! keep it up and best of luck on your path to success in the industry. Hopefully I'll be right behind you :)

thanks mate same goes for you!

Masters Degree for Game Design or Game Art

E3Abe09

I wanna design games, at least someday down the road, but I was wondering if there was a certain degree you could go for to help out. For example, I know a Computer Science degree would be good for someone who wants to be a programmer in the game industry, but I can't think of a degree suited for a game designer. Come on Gamespot and Gamespot fans! Help me out!

Cronicx-

CS, the game industry is not easy to get in. Get a degree that you aren't SOL if you don't get a job in that field.

Plus the game indusutry isn't this sunshine and rainbow place.