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Bachelor of CS & Bachelor of CS(Games Tech.) - Bathurst (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Chief2666
- Start date
phizz
aka: Philly Cheese
Hey Cheif, Im in my First year of CompSci (games tech).
I got in under early entry (look for something called PREP, ask your careers advisor about it).
If you need any info about my course jst ask. The course here seems to cover the same topics as any other CompSci course, accept it goes further into maths topics and covers some games subjects. Like, why we play games, what different type of games there are, how they work, how you go about building one, and group work.
The CompSci course (not games tech one), is new, and will start next year. I beleave this course will be the same, less some of the maths ad the games related subjects. It will also go for 3 years instead of 4 like mine does.
The CompSci (games tech), in my opinion, would be a better choice. At the end of the day, you'll have more developed maths skill and better know-now in a specific field. Pluss the UAI for it now went down to 75, which is better then when it was 89 something.
Anyways, hoped any of that helped.
-phizz
I got in under early entry (look for something called PREP, ask your careers advisor about it).
If you need any info about my course jst ask. The course here seems to cover the same topics as any other CompSci course, accept it goes further into maths topics and covers some games subjects. Like, why we play games, what different type of games there are, how they work, how you go about building one, and group work.
The CompSci course (not games tech one), is new, and will start next year. I beleave this course will be the same, less some of the maths ad the games related subjects. It will also go for 3 years instead of 4 like mine does.
The CompSci (games tech), in my opinion, would be a better choice. At the end of the day, you'll have more developed maths skill and better know-now in a specific field. Pluss the UAI for it now went down to 75, which is better then when it was 89 something.
Anyways, hoped any of that helped.
-phizz
phizz
aka: Philly Cheese
I forgot to mention, theres about 16 people in my course with something like 50 something in the entire course for games tech.
Its good that way, your questions get answered easily and more personally.
IT has 100 something in the first year and like 600-1000 something people total. The new CompSci will probably depend on how popular it will be.
later -phizz
Its good that way, your questions get answered easily and more personally.
IT has 100 something in the first year and like 600-1000 something people total. The new CompSci will probably depend on how popular it will be.
later -phizz
Popo Nana
Member
Hah! If that's the case, do you happen to be familiar with a Nathan Hughes?phizz said:
Just curious.
phizz
aka: Philly Cheese
Yep, spose you know him?Popo Nana said:
Popo Nana
Member
Ehe, good guess. Who knows - perhaps one day, I may even know you O_Ophizz said:
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Im very interested in this course, one reason is because right now im completely undecided, and most of my interests lead me to unproductive courses such as arts, which although enjoyable dont hold a great deal of opportunities.
Now im doing my HSC and in the middle of my Trials, and one day i saw this, and yes i do enjoy computer/console games alot, that been said i dont live off them or play 5 hours a day, i simply find them as a good outlet and inlet for creativity.
So i saw this and it rang a bell, it appeals to my interest judging by my research and title aswell as having what i can only guess career opportunites.
So my question is, what do you learn from this, is it actually focussed on the creation of games, or is it the addition of games into the normal computer science course?
What careers does it lead to, can it actually get you a job developing and/or publishing computer/console games?
What other opportunities are there?
Does this course have great appeal to employers, is it regarded well, is it attractive?
Now im doing my HSC and in the middle of my Trials, and one day i saw this, and yes i do enjoy computer/console games alot, that been said i dont live off them or play 5 hours a day, i simply find them as a good outlet and inlet for creativity.
So i saw this and it rang a bell, it appeals to my interest judging by my research and title aswell as having what i can only guess career opportunites.
So my question is, what do you learn from this, is it actually focussed on the creation of games, or is it the addition of games into the normal computer science course?
What careers does it lead to, can it actually get you a job developing and/or publishing computer/console games?
What other opportunities are there?
Does this course have great appeal to employers, is it regarded well, is it attractive?
phizz
aka: Philly Cheese
The games tech corse started in 2000, and so this is the first year of graduates going for jobs.
Theres been a couple taken in by Sony, and some to other games companies. The rest have gone into making games for mobile phones companies.
I spose that isn't too bad considering its been less then one year from the courses first graduates, and it doesn't have a reputation in the industry yet.
The co-ordinators and staff of the course aren't happy that most have been rejected and hired as mobile phone game makers. But its good in a way that the course is now going under heavy review to make it better.
Academically, the course is sound. But the major problem is that there is no portfolio/team work thats required. Those graduates that got a job in the games companies had something to show, those that didn't weren't accepted. So next year there'll be changes for group work assignments (like building a game engine, or industry research).
We've had some speacial quest speakers basicaly sugesting what they're looking for, and its helping with the review of the subject. It will probably get a closer look at tool programming. I think this course has sparked intrest from some of the industry as it seems to be the only one that learns about game programing from the ground up. Wheres other courses teach programming directly with a specific game engine.
I think this course is suited for those whom have intrest in maths, physics, programing, and people/games/psychology. The games specific subjects cover the reasons why people play games, basically little on games but more on people in how they interact.
So in the end you have paths to the game industry, but also maths, physics, (you'll already have advanced programming up your sleve so you should have instant jobs in programming), and even scientific research (you'll know what i mean when you do introduction to senses).
As you can see, I've got alot of hopes riding into this course, and I've looked into it enough to end up doing it. I feel that so far it has been worthwhile, but it greatly depeneds on your intrest in those four topics above.
later - phizz
Theres been a couple taken in by Sony, and some to other games companies. The rest have gone into making games for mobile phones companies.
I spose that isn't too bad considering its been less then one year from the courses first graduates, and it doesn't have a reputation in the industry yet.
The co-ordinators and staff of the course aren't happy that most have been rejected and hired as mobile phone game makers. But its good in a way that the course is now going under heavy review to make it better.
Academically, the course is sound. But the major problem is that there is no portfolio/team work thats required. Those graduates that got a job in the games companies had something to show, those that didn't weren't accepted. So next year there'll be changes for group work assignments (like building a game engine, or industry research).
We've had some speacial quest speakers basicaly sugesting what they're looking for, and its helping with the review of the subject. It will probably get a closer look at tool programming. I think this course has sparked intrest from some of the industry as it seems to be the only one that learns about game programing from the ground up. Wheres other courses teach programming directly with a specific game engine.
I think this course is suited for those whom have intrest in maths, physics, programing, and people/games/psychology. The games specific subjects cover the reasons why people play games, basically little on games but more on people in how they interact.
So in the end you have paths to the game industry, but also maths, physics, (you'll already have advanced programming up your sleve so you should have instant jobs in programming), and even scientific research (you'll know what i mean when you do introduction to senses).
As you can see, I've got alot of hopes riding into this course, and I've looked into it enough to end up doing it. I feel that so far it has been worthwhile, but it greatly depeneds on your intrest in those four topics above.
later - phizz
Thanks youve been alot of help.
Well since im very undecided the games tech course just seemed to stand out clearly, since i believe i would really love to develop a game, allows me to be creative in a way that i enjoy and can be well payed.
So is this the only games based course in Australia, because from what ive seen it has been.
Hmm well from what you have told me, it seems good, but the course seems to be vague and unspecialised from what you have said, which i guess is good for begginers such as myself, but wont employers take specialists over general knowledge?
I want to be able to focus on games, reallly because like i said i can see myself doing it and enjoying it, but it seems to vauge, so is there any additional information you can give me?
And when you said the course is been reviewed to fit employer wants and needs, does that mean it will be reconstructed before 2006 semester 1?
Do you know any other courses at any other UNI/Tafe that are similarly based around games?
Well since im very undecided the games tech course just seemed to stand out clearly, since i believe i would really love to develop a game, allows me to be creative in a way that i enjoy and can be well payed.
So is this the only games based course in Australia, because from what ive seen it has been.
Hmm well from what you have told me, it seems good, but the course seems to be vague and unspecialised from what you have said, which i guess is good for begginers such as myself, but wont employers take specialists over general knowledge?
I want to be able to focus on games, reallly because like i said i can see myself doing it and enjoying it, but it seems to vauge, so is there any additional information you can give me?
And when you said the course is been reviewed to fit employer wants and needs, does that mean it will be reconstructed before 2006 semester 1?
Do you know any other courses at any other UNI/Tafe that are similarly based around games?
phizz
aka: Philly Cheese
This course tends to be directly for game programming. Towards the end (and during), you should have learnt enough to be able to create your own game/physics engine. The course review just seems to be an obvious rumor for now, but it will probably included compulsury group work for some sort of project, and maybe removal or changes to some subjects.
As for game design the course has two subjects specifically for it. Its alot different then just writing a story/narrative, but getting a job as a game designer is only possible if you've worked at least five years in the business anyways. Unless you've got the money to start up your own designing and publishing company.
If you look in the jobs section of most game companies, they seem to always demand for artists (3D aniamation mainly, sound as well), then toolset programmers, occasionaly programmers, but rarely game designers (and even then it requires five+ years in the bis). For anything related to programming they request a Computer Science degree, but the main thing their concerned about is what you have done. They don't care about what you should know from your degree, but what you do know by proving it.
I think that this is the only university course in NSW thats specifically games tech related (spose you gathered that from the title), however there are many private companies that provide similar course. Theres one in Canberra (AIE,Australian Institute of Entertainment.....I think), and Brisbane (Quantum), and Sydney has one too (Micro Forte, maybe?). The CSU course is basically a standard Computer Science course, with 8 additional games-specific subjects on top.
Its a very long road ahead for any wannabe games designer, with years of ass kissing to get the right promotions. So don't think of it as something you can achieve straight after finishing any degree, it requires alot of patitions and hard-work. So think about it before chosing.
As for game design the course has two subjects specifically for it. Its alot different then just writing a story/narrative, but getting a job as a game designer is only possible if you've worked at least five years in the business anyways. Unless you've got the money to start up your own designing and publishing company.
If you look in the jobs section of most game companies, they seem to always demand for artists (3D aniamation mainly, sound as well), then toolset programmers, occasionaly programmers, but rarely game designers (and even then it requires five+ years in the bis). For anything related to programming they request a Computer Science degree, but the main thing their concerned about is what you have done. They don't care about what you should know from your degree, but what you do know by proving it.
I think that this is the only university course in NSW thats specifically games tech related (spose you gathered that from the title), however there are many private companies that provide similar course. Theres one in Canberra (AIE,Australian Institute of Entertainment.....I think), and Brisbane (Quantum), and Sydney has one too (Micro Forte, maybe?). The CSU course is basically a standard Computer Science course, with 8 additional games-specific subjects on top.
Its a very long road ahead for any wannabe games designer, with years of ass kissing to get the right promotions. So don't think of it as something you can achieve straight after finishing any degree, it requires alot of patitions and hard-work. So think about it before chosing.
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Your the man with all the answers arnt you!
"getting a job as a game designer is only possible if you've worked at least five years in the business anyways" - So then how do you get into the first five years of work if it involves 5 years before that
"For anything related to programming they request a Computer Science degree" - Does this include Computer Science (Games Tech), or only the Computer Science dgree?
"Its a very long road ahead for any wannabe games designer, with years of ass kissing to get the right promotions. So don't think of it as something you can achieve straight after finishing any degree, it requires alot of patitions and hard-work. So think about it before chosing." - Well so far it seems the most intrigueing and interesting, so after completing this course or any other course that can lead to games, how long do you think it takes to get there after completion of the UNI course?
Finally does anyone know the average employment percentage for graduates from this course?
"getting a job as a game designer is only possible if you've worked at least five years in the business anyways" - So then how do you get into the first five years of work if it involves 5 years before that
"For anything related to programming they request a Computer Science degree" - Does this include Computer Science (Games Tech), or only the Computer Science dgree?
"Its a very long road ahead for any wannabe games designer, with years of ass kissing to get the right promotions. So don't think of it as something you can achieve straight after finishing any degree, it requires alot of patitions and hard-work. So think about it before chosing." - Well so far it seems the most intrigueing and interesting, so after completing this course or any other course that can lead to games, how long do you think it takes to get there after completion of the UNI course?
Finally does anyone know the average employment percentage for graduates from this course?
phizz
aka: Philly Cheese
Game designer is a job title, most startng out in the business start out at the lowest programer, quality assurance, basically the lowest title. Becoming a game designer is something you earn as a promotion or from years of experience in the business.Viroxide said:"getting a job as a game designer is only possible if you've worked at least five years in the business anyways" - So then how do you get into the first five years of work if it involves 5 years before that
There is no specific degree in games, only those that are related. Such as Computer Science, and others (depending on the field). The Computer Science (games tech), is a Computer science course. So on the certificate you recieve on graduation will state you have completed a Computer Science coure. It will be no different to any other uni. However, computer science is very generic, so there are fields within it. CompSci (games tech) goes over the technology of games, the syd uni has one that goes over computational lingustics for the field of computers relating to languages. Theres alot of different fields under Computer Science, but if your looking at getting into the games field, your better off doing the games related one then something more generic or off topic (like comp lingustics).
It depends on the job. Programming, as soon as a company accepts you. Game designer/CEO - years of experience, or alot of hardwork related to it. Its basically like any other job, you start at the bottom, and work towards the top.
Its probably too early to say yet, its the first year of the first lot of graduates. Theres really not many oppurtunities in Australia, but alot of demand overseas at place like japan, uk, etc...
I have another question, if i already know a lot about programming and game programming (Ive been programming games for over a year now and id say that i pretty much know C++) and i am good at a lot of aspects of programming like OOP and i know a few API's (SDL, Windows, Just starting DirectX) would this favour me if i included it in my early entry form?? Unfortunately i went quite poorly in my Trials, and I fear that early entry may be my best chance of gettin in.
phizz
aka: Philly Cheese
I think your practically garenteed entry with experience in those topics and programming.
And with a years worth of games programming shows your keen intrest for the course.
I think PREP gives students a chance to get entry into the course they've basically been dreaming about, marks aside. One of my friends needed UAI of 90+ for the VET course, and she basically would never get those marks (failing maths, average english, good in bio but not great, etc...), yet she got accepted even though her trials would not indicate she'd get the marks.
However, she'd grown up on a farm and dealt with animals all her life. So it seems that: If you have the intrest, and you have acquired knowledge outside of school thats related to the course, then your chances of gaining entry from PREP seems to be alot higher.
And with a years worth of games programming shows your keen intrest for the course.
I think PREP gives students a chance to get entry into the course they've basically been dreaming about, marks aside. One of my friends needed UAI of 90+ for the VET course, and she basically would never get those marks (failing maths, average english, good in bio but not great, etc...), yet she got accepted even though her trials would not indicate she'd get the marks.
However, she'd grown up on a farm and dealt with animals all her life. So it seems that: If you have the intrest, and you have acquired knowledge outside of school thats related to the course, then your chances of gaining entry from PREP seems to be alot higher.