Do these two courses help me to get into game developing?

News & General Discussion
1

Hi!

I am 3rd in computer science in one of the Canadian universities.
My university stated that majoring in Digital Media can have career path as a game developer. (Not Computer Science)
But I want to be a game developer, so I looked through some courses that computer science department offers.
The courses that related to game industry are following:
1. Introduction to 3D Computer Graphics: This course introduces the fundamental concepts and algorithms of three-dimensional computer graphics, including object modelling, transformations, cameras, visibility and shading.
2. Advanced Topics in 3D Computer Graphics: This course introduces advanced 3D computer graphics algorithms. Topics may include direct programming of graphics hardware via pixel and vertex shaders, real-time rendering, global illumnitation algorithms, advanced texture mapping and anti-aliasing, data visualization.

Do these two courses able to help me to get game developer?
I do not see the courses that teaches C# programming and using unity game engine to make the project…

Hope to hear good answers.

Thanks,

2

Assuming you’re talking about York, those courses used C and OpenGL in the past. Chances are unless they’ve changed something considerably you will be working with low-level aspects of game development.

http://www.eecs.yorku.ca/course_archive/2005-06/F/4431/
http://www.eecs.yorku.ca/course_archive/2010-11/W/4431/

3

So, those courses are required for game development? (Like game developing with unity)

4

Only by the university if they list them as prerequisites. Actually learning game development only requires you be willing to learn. A university is not a strict requirement for game development. The learn section of this site, link at the top, has enough tutorials to get started.

1 Like
5

And interestingly, that is my university course website. lol I was surprised that you found it. haha

6

Google is the most useful tool in my arsenal as a game developer. Mostly because Unity’s own search tool is useless.

1 Like
7

Lol. Okay. Umm. Then, I think I should get advising from you. Since I am very new to game developing, can you tell me what I should learn? Because only those two are only offered from Computer Science department…

8

http://digital-media.ampd.yorku.ca/programs/courses/
And theses are the Digital Media course website. Do you see the courses that I need to take in here too in order to be a game developer?

9

Those courses covering 3d modelling (FA DATT 2500) and 3d animation (FA DATT 2501) may be helpful if you wish to become a game artist. The FA DATT 3700 class sounds like it could be aimed at game development but that’s just based on the use of a programmer. It may be aimed at something else entirely.

10

Oh. Thank you for the good advise. But the problem is that is only open for majoring in Digital Media.
And I am only into game developer, because I am not good at art… lol
Then, is it good idea to take two courses that I asked very beginning?

11

A game developer is someone who makes games. Download unity. Get on the learn section, and start making stuff.

Doing the degree is useful. The absolute papers you choose don’t matter much. Just pick the ones that look interesting and useful.

And make a game. Seriously. Post back here in a week with a prototype.

5 Likes
12

Uni degrees don’t make you a game developer…making a game does.

Unless you’re wanting qualifications and a shiny piece of paper so you can apply at game studios you’re wasting your time at Uni. Can learn for free from the Unity Learn section or YouTube.

If you are looking at game studios I’d advise having a look at what they actually want from new devs…check job ads etc. The courses you’re looking at might not be anything near what they’re after.

13

I disagree. My formal software development education has been invaluable in my career as a game/simulation/real-time software developer. I am also constantly self teaching.

Studios or companies might not care if you have a degree or not, but they do care whether or not you know what you’re doing and your breadth and depth of knowledge, and attending a university is a great way to get started in those areas.

That, and my experience is that purely-self-taught people run the risk of making life more difficult for themselves than it has to be, largely because they don’t know what they don’t know.

3 Likes