Getting a degree in 'Mortal Kombat'

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rather than experienced at all three--while some try to teach students the entire range of skills.

The schools are hampered by the ever-increasing cost of producing games. Most institutions, for example, can't afford the high software-development kit fees charged by Microsoft and Sony--which typically are in the $20,000 range--in order to have their students work directly on Xbox or PlayStation systems.

Students will typically work on PCs, instead. Todd Robinson, lead faculty member for the San Francisco Academy of Art University's game program, said his students have tools that simulate the output of the commercial game systems in order to gain experience developing for the consoles.

Leutenegger said he has words of warning for students, too. The business of game making, after all, is a far cry from an afternoon in front of a PlayStation.

"I caution incoming students on a couple of things," he said. "This is an industry with high burnout rates, long hours and incredibly tight deadlines. I tell them that in a couple of years, many of likely to change their mind about what they want to do."

For the most part, companies are eagerly encouraging this type of hands-on academic program. Last year, Nintendo sponsored a five-year professorship at Seattle's DigiPen University, which was the first school in the country to offer a four-year degree in game development, and has placed a number of students to the Japanese company.

Smaller companies, while still optimistic about the programs, have less experience with games graduates. NC Austin, a division of Korea's largest game maker, NCsoft, says it has consulted with local colleges about developing game curriculum, but has yet to hire anyone directly out of the programs.

"The challenge we find is creating openings that don't require firsthand experience," said NC Austin Director of Human Resources Linda Powers. "Our pace is so fast that we haven't found ourselves with that luxury. But my impression is that they're doing the right things."

[sanenazok]

Don't do it!

Kids, say no to an undergrad in game design. If you want to, take a class or two, but stay the heck away. Remember you're in college not in a trade school!

[Bob_Barker]

You're Right

Most of these schools simply use "Game Design" to lure in new recruits. Truth is, most of them are crap. They're just looking for money. Better off with a traditional Comp Sci or Visual Communications degree.

[sanenazok]

Don't do it!

Kids, say no to an undergrad in game design. If you want to, take a class or two, but stay the heck away. Remember you're in college not in a trade school!

[Bob_Barker]

You're Right

Most of these schools simply use "Game Design" to lure in new recruits. Truth is, most of them are crap. They're just looking for money. Better off with a traditional Comp Sci or Visual Communications degree.

[unknown unknown]

Waste of money

The game industry is very competitive when it comes to hiring. Assumming one does get a job it's long hours infront of computer trying to crank out the code or models to meet deadlines...very stressful. A lot of people get burned out and have to go work in another field for a while and a degree in game development probably won't be too helpful when looking for a job outside of game development. Get a more general degree like computer science, which is still the degree field the majority of game developers list under education requirments for their programmers.

[unknown unknown]

Waste of money

The game industry is very competitive when it comes to hiring. Assumming one does get a job it's long hours infront of computer trying to crank out the code or models to meet deadlines...very stressful. A lot of people get burned out and have to go work in another field for a while and a degree in game development probably won't be too helpful when looking for a job outside of game development. Get a more general degree like computer science, which is still the degree field the majority of game developers list under education requirments for their programmers.

Not a waste: view some student game levels

If you think that students just play games on these courses, check out these online Shockwave games...

http://www.candointeractive.com/gamedesign/car/levels/jordanstown.html

Not a waste: view some student game levels

If you think that students just play games on these courses, check out these online Shockwave games...

http://www.candointeractive.com/gamedesign/car/levels/jordanstown.html