Guildhall at SMU Game School -- How is it? 24
Needanewnick asks: "I heard and read about the Guildhall, and I was wondering if anyone could relate their experiences from it? I've heard that many so called Game Development Schools don't really do much for preparing the student for life in the industry. Does the Guildhall address this very well? What are post graduation job possibilities? Basically, is this worth the tuition?"
I was at the Guildhall for a while (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:I was at the Guildhall for a while (Score:1, Funny)
Re:I was at the Guildhall for a while (Score:1, Redundant)
Re:I was at the Guildhall for a while (Score:2)
If were talking tech support then he would have better job security as a DJ.
*sigh* (Score:1, Offtopic)
too much [caedmon.net].
S
(note: the distortion is unintentional, konq just doesn't like that banner, I guess)
Re:*sigh* (Score:1, Offtopic)
game development groups (Score:5, Interesting)
At Michigan State [msu.edu], we have a game development organization (Spartasoft [msu.edu]) that helps those that want to get into the game industry. People can find others that share interests to work on projects, we have tutorials (3D Studio Max, DirectX) and even get guest speakers (from Microsoft, Image Space (who did Nascar Thunder and F1 for EA), etc). We've had several people graduate and go on to work in the industry as well as get internships. Last year, we had two projects nominated in the Independent Games Festival Student showcase.
The important thing though is that the people that succeed from here are passionate and work extremely hard on their projects. So I don't think guild halls are necessary. But effort and dedication is and that'll carry you regardless of where you go to study.
Note: That's just my personal opinion. I'm just a graduate student and not in the game industry.
I had heard..... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:I had heard..... (Score:2)
Re:I had heard..... (Score:2, Funny)
trust me, i've known enough of them..
Re:I had heard..... (Score:1, Interesting)
There has not yet been a graduating class. It's only in the 9th month of the 18 month program at this point.
Look at game developers payscales (Score:3, Insightful)
That said - I have had a few friends drop out of corprate programming jobs to take jobs for various gaming companies. Lets just say the paycuts were extreme (of course their happiness increase was extreme as well).
If you are after high paying jobs - this isn't the field for you. If you think all you will do is play games all day - don't even think that... If you want to work hard (very hard) and play harder - the job might just be right for you
Re:Look at game developers payscales (Score:2, Funny)
Yea, because damn, my life goal is to to make 1/2 what I do now, work twice as many hours, and still have some PHB tell me to ship 3 months before it's ready so he'll make a bonus that's worth 5x my annual salary.
If it weren't for the naivete of youth, the game industry woulkdn't find much of anyone that wanted to work for them.
Check for sand (Score:3, Insightful)
I heard and read about the Guildhall, and I was wondering if anyone could relate their experiences from it? I've heard that many so called Game Development Schools don't really do much for preparing the student for life in the industry. Does the Guildhall address this very well? What are post graduation job possibilities? Basically, is this worth the tuition?
I don't know anything about the Guildhall per se, but I've worked professionally in the computer game industry on and off for the last twenty five years or so (starting with text based games for a TSS), and I can tell you this much:
If you're really concerned about being prepared for life "in the industry" I'd recommend going to Las Vegas. Take lots of cash. Trust everyone you meet. That's the quickest way I know for getting up to speed on "life in the industry".-- MarkusQ
P.S. It is my firm belief that some things should only be done for love, and that game development is one of them. The nice thing about game development is that once you have absorbed the lesson of Las Vegas, you won't be tempted into thinking that there are any other realistic options, and you can focus on the fact that on a typical day you're having way more fun at work than most people have in a month.
P.P.S. Do not share this joyous insight with your landlord when explaining why the rent has been...rescheduled. Just tell him/her that you want the rent check to be perfect when you mail it, and there's no reason why it shouldn't be ready by early next quarter, so no worries.
Digipen (Score:1)
I've heard Digipen is a source for Nintendo to draw upon, but I don't believe it.
Personally, I believe that you don't need a special degree in computer game design to make it. Anyone with a CS degree and their own time to read books and make their own game will learn the same thing. Plus, the CS degree is more marketable. Focusing on just the game industry during school seems like a b
Re:Digipen (Score:1)
Do I go to DigiPen? No. Am I considering it? Yes. The now offer a M
Guildhall info (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Guildhall info (Score:1)
Guildhall Info (Score:5, Insightful)
Now to answer your questions:
The Guildhall has only been in extistence for 9 months now. So to ask is it worth the tuition? is a tough question to answer. I'll try and give the best info I can.
I am in the software track and I can tell you that what I have learned here so far is invaluable. I have learned more and coded more in the last 9 months than in my entire 4 years of college in a CS program. The curriculum we are being taught is created by and affirmed by people IN the industry. In fact, they just had a meeting last week to improve it and finalize it for the next quarter. So I'll let you be the judge if that is worth anything to you. Personally I think it is.
Second, our direct contact with the industry on a weekly basis is huge. We have a class once a week where an industry professional makes a presnetation on a topic related to the industry. They have all been very valuable for every discipline. There are also several internships in progress and several more in the works so those are great "footholds" in trying to get a job as well.
In January, it will probably be easier to answer your question because hopefully most of us will have jobs but The Guildhall does not guarantee us a job. It is up to us to get the job, they are just doing their best to prepare us. Hope this helps answer some of your questions.
P.S. sorry for the anonymous post but i didn't feel like taking the time to register right now.
Current Guildhall Student... (Score:2, Informative)
As with any new program, there is both good and bad. I'm at GDC right now, and don't really have time to expand on each, but to sum it up, it's my opinion that the positives outweigh the negatives, and it's worth it.
The most recent press release in the news section mentions one internship that's currently underway as a resul