Ad Lib Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 f**k off, if that's what he's interested in, that's what he should do.Education snobs really irk me. It's like we should all be lawyers or doctors because we got good grades Settle petal... I'm convinced his talents could be better applied elsewhere. That doesn't mean he has to be a doctor or a lawyer; there are many other potentially lucrative career paths available to him which demand a higher pre-requisite intellectual ability than computer gaming. If he only really wants to do computer gaming, fair enough, but there are clearly other options open to him, which would be foolish to dismiss just because of an innate interest in gaming. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Master Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 I'm convinced his talents could be better applied elsewhere. That doesn't mean he has to be a doctor or a lawyer; there are many other potentially lucrative career paths available to him which demand a higher pre-requisite intellectual ability than computer gaming. Two points: 1) Computer games programming commands high calibre individuals. You don't only need to know how to program in low-level languages, but there's shit-loads of maths involved as well. 2) Computer games is one of the most lucrative paths you can get on; not only does the industry itself have a skills shortage, but the degree also shows high levels of ability in maths and computer programming as two separate disciplines 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad Lib Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Two points:1) Computer games programming commands high calibre individuals. You don't only need to know how to program in low-level languages, but there's shit-loads of maths involved as well. 2) Computer games is one of the most lucrative paths you can get on; not only does the industry itself have a skills shortage, but the degree also shows high levels of ability in maths and computer programming as two separate disciplines Fair points, though wouldn't it perhaps be better to do a computing science based degree? I don't profess to know a lot about it, but I'd have thought that would have covered a broader base while still leaving the computer gaming option open. Whilst it is a potentially lucrative path, I wouldn't think that a vast number of people make it onto really serious money (it seems a pretty cut-throat market from what I've seen and read). I suppose if he's competing with people who have taken it out of lack of choices rather than specific preference he'll be at an advantage, though. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renton Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Fair points, though wouldn't it perhaps be better to do a computing science based degree? I don't profess to know a lot about it, but I'd have thought that would have covered a broader base while still leaving the computer gaming option open.Whilst it is a potentially lucrative path, I wouldn't think that a vast number of people make it onto really serious money (it seems a pretty cut-throat market from what I've seen and read). I suppose if he's competing with people who have taken it out of lack of choices rather than specific preference he'll be at an advantage, though. Gaming is far too specialised with respect to a generalised computing degree, both in terms of the tools required to write gaming code and in their application. Gaming requires far more involvement at the GUI than most and (in many cases) requires a lot of physics modelling within it's domain as well. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad Lib Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Gaming is far too specialised with respect to a generalised computing degree, both in terms of the tools required to write gaming code and in their application. Gaming requires far more involvement at the GUI than most and (in many cases) requires a lot of physics modelling within it's domain as well. Fair enough, I stand utterly corrected. Off you go to Abertay twisteH! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Master Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Fair points, though wouldn't it perhaps be better to do a computing science based degree? I don't profess to know a lot about it, but I'd have thought that would have covered a broader base while still leaving the computer gaming option open. Computing Science probably wouldn't give enough knowledge in the design aspect. It would be possible to follow up a general computing degree with Abertay's MSc in Computer Games, however. But I think it's best to play to your strengths at UG then go for something else PG (I considered the games MSc before being offered a PhD). Whilst it is a potentially lucrative path, I wouldn't think that a vast number of people make it onto really serious money (it seems a pretty cut-throat market from what I've seen and read). I suppose if he's competing with people who have taken it out of lack of choices rather than specific preference he'll be at an advantage, though. The starting salary for games programmers is around £15-18k, rising to around £23k after only 2 years. After 10 years you could be looking at £40k+ 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supras Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 The starting salary for games programmers is around £15-18k, rising to around £23k after only 2 years. After 10 years you could be looking at £40k+ I thought it would be more than that. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad Lib Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 The starting salary for games programmers is around £15-18k, rising to around £23k after only 2 years. After 10 years you could be looking at £40k+ Fair enough. I was comparing it with, for instance going into (for example) an engineering/computer based career in energy industries. I hadn't appreciated just how specialised gaming programming was. In that situation, I personally would be reluctant to go down such a specialised career path so early. Even with the LLB you're not exactly tied to becoming a solicitor/advocate. If he's dead set on gaming programming, fair play to him. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GypsyTillIDie Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 My uncle got a computer gaming degree and he's off living the life in America - he was one of the producers on the Family Guy app. on the iPhone/Touch and loves it. Thought you should know that, twisteH. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaltyTON Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Computing Science probably wouldn't give enough knowledge in the design aspect. It would be possible to follow up a general computing degree with Abertay's MSc in Computer Games, however. But I think it's best to play to your strengths at UG then go for something else PG (I considered the games MSc before being offered a PhD). The starting salary for games programmers is around £15-18k, rising to around £23k after only 2 years. After 10 years you could be looking at £40k+ E. Napier are starting something along the same lines as my tutor last year was a junior lecturer and was working on getting that programme initiated. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renton Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 My uncle got a computer gaming degree and he's off living the life in America - he was one of the producers on the Family Guy app. on the iPhone/Touch and loves it.Thought you should know that, twisteH. Yeh, I knew a guy who got his gaming degree and was working on a title in the carmageddon franchise. It got cancelled, he lost his job and went and worked in M&S. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Master Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 I thought it would be more than that. It could be. I just looked at once site, which was American (and converted from $ to £). 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swampy Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 Settle petal...I'm convinced his talents could be better applied elsewhere. We can't all lie to children for a living. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Master Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 (edited) Fair enough. I was comparing it with, for instance going into (for example) an engineering/computer based career in energy industries.I hadn't appreciated just how specialised gaming programming was. In that situation, I personally would be reluctant to go down such a specialised career path so early. Even with the LLB you're not exactly tied to becoming a solicitor/advocate. If he's dead set on gaming programming, fair play to him. I wouldn't say it was so specialised as to preclude you from jobs in other software disciplines. In most cases, it's not about learning the languages, but the techniques. While others would no doubt disagree, I'd say that if you learn C++ (which is what the Abertay course teaches in year 1), it'll take very little effort to adapt to other OO languages. I'd say that Dundee is actually a great place to come if you want a broad computing degree, then go off an specialise: Dundee uni for the BSc in Applied Computing, then Abertay for the MSc in Computer Games, or Internet Computing. Edited November 22, 2009 by The Master 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad Lib Posted November 22, 2009 Share Posted November 22, 2009 We can't all lie to children for a living. Okay are you actually vikingTON? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Thanks for all the advice lads! I think it has helped actually; I agree "specialising" so early in a specific subject as gaming could be risky so it probably would be better to do a broader computing degree followed by the games one so I have something to fall back on. Does that sound like a plan? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HibeeJibee Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Thanks for all the advice lads! I think it has helped actually; I agree "specialising" so early in a specific subject as gaming could be risky so it probably would be better to do a broader computing degree followed by the games one so I have something to fall back on. Does that sound like a plan? I'd suggest you'd be best getting some professional advice, from an appropriate agency... not an online forum ? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Shut up and just agree with me I just want peace of mind. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
. V . Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Got an unconditional to the University of New South Wales in Sydney last monday. Great city, great uni, great weather...CANT FUCKING WAIT!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Master Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 With reference to whether or not computing is classed as a science for admissions purposes - it maybe is, because I've just re-read the prospectus entry for my degree and it asks for two sciences+maths. My Highers were Computing, Maths, Physics, English and History... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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