The Game Dev School Checklist

What to Watch Out For

We all know of these scam school horror stories. 

They can generally be some sort of how to obtain a useless diploma in five days or less.

But, if you ask yourself these questions, you can find that there are some genuinely fantastic programs offered for game development out there!

Not necessarily the ones online though.

Linda.com and YouTube are great complementary resources, but it will take A LOT of personal commitment and accountability to break into the game industry in that way.

Don't get me wrong, there are some great indie success stories--but success is just that and I'm going to use that cliche "when preparation meets opportunity."

You need to know how you work. If you do well teaching yourself code you autodidact you, then by all means go for it!

But if you feel that for a job like in game art and design, it's better to collaborate with other artists, then I suggest going to art school.

If you're in the middle--you like to do a lot of research and enjoy learning from others--a college program could be the route for you.

But there are a few questions that first need to be asked; if you can find this information on the school's website, all the better.

Is it regionally accredited? 

This is the foremost determining factor of a high-level program. 

Regional accreditation is more common for universities, but if your college has any sort of recognition of that level--it can be said to have more credibility.

You need to be cautious of international accreditation as it is "certified" by often shady private organizations, not by government qualification.

Has the faculty worked in the game industry?

Industry experience is invaluable; especially if the program is taught by developers who have gotten their foot in and can go over that same process with their students. 

Many can learn to prepare a meal and some can learn a great deal from a fry cook--but who wouldn't prefer to learn outright from a master chef? Or a karate master? Or master Yoda?

There are no "bad programs" or "bad teachers" if you have that drive to make a job in game development or design happen. There are however teachers that can shed some light on the areas they see your potential being most in. 

Are there alumni success stories?

Are the alumni working where you want to be when you've graduated? Indie? Rockstar? 2K? EA? If you school trains students for actual industry positions, rather than a craigslist programmer--it's probably a good enough school.

Is the program a reasonable tuition cost?

As a rule of thumb, if the tuition costs more than $25,000/year, I'd be wary. 

I'd research a breakdown of the cost per term/semester and evaluate if the material covered is valued at that amount. 

Like I said earlier, with those for-profit schools, it may be something you should steer clear of; the diploma you end up with may not be of use when applying for a job. Which brings us to the next question:

Is the diploma of any use in applying for the job you want?

If the diploma you graduate with is a diploma in "game design" rather than game art or "game development" rather than programming--studio employers may not find it significant or unrelated and could not hire you. 

I'm not saying you need to have a specific diploma, but oftentimes a general degree may not make your resume stand out. 

It's best to visit the studio's website; under the job listing qualifications, look at the required degree and determine if your program of choice will offer it.

Will you be making games?

Yeah it's true you can learn all the technical knowhow at school and mess around with Unity when you come home. 

But you really should be making games in a game design program. 

It's not only good for experience and feedback from others, but it's a plus to have a few titles under your belt when you graduate.

What engines will be used?

Unity is a great indie engine, but AAA studios use anything from Unreal to Frostbite--or newer studio-specify ones like Fox (Konami's Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain) or Snowdrop (Ubisoft's Tom Clancy's The Division.)

It's best if the engine used in the program, is the very one or very similar to the one you will be using in your development position.

Is it a college or university? 

You know what they say--university is theoretical and college has a more heuristic, hands-on approach. 

In game development I'm sure you can see the value in getting straight to it in college; unless you want to learn computer science theory, rather than practical game programming--or art history rather than concept art and zbrush sculpting-- then I would go for a university program instead.

But if you want to actually make some games before you get your hands dirty going indie or doing studio work, college is generally the place to go. 

Are the games you make your own IP?

This is more of a fairness factor. No one should own your work, just because you made it within their building; and f your projects are your own intellectual property (IP) you can release and sell the titles after completion. 

Will you produce a portfolio to present to potential employers?

Are the students offered internship/post-grad employment opportunities?

Can you showcase your projects? Having a few games--or game code/art--to show the prospective studio is always an advantage.

You should look for programs where the students are guaranteed to come out of school with ready experience and great work to show for it. 

How is the student support? 

Does the faculty and staff want you to succeed? Do they answer your questions fully and point you in the right direction?

Now this isn't kindergarten, so I'm not suggesting they do your work for you. But I am suggesting they work with you. 

Does the school offer study rooms and computer labs for after-school or lunchtime game jams?

Well, that's more of an amenity.

Is the technology and equipment up-to-speed or cutting edge?

This is crucial for building an amazing game! You need a Titan X and Intel Xeon all the way. 

In the least, the technology needs to be 2016.

You simply can't work with Windows XP anymore, ok? 

Windows 7 is acceptable--but I suggest Direct X 12 these days!! Windows 10 is a free upgrade, even if you hate it.

Does it closely model the game-development process of the game industry?

Do you have the chance to collaborate with other students on a project?

This is how the industry works! Writers speak to artists, who talk with modellers, who ask programmers to make the world into something playable; the producer then makes sure the composer compliments the casting director, who works actors breathe life into the characters; the QA testers ensure the game is smooth and bug free and the marketers ship it out!

At least that's what I think happens.

Point being, if a better system is used for students within the program to collaborate with writers, programmers, artists, actors and graphic designers/marketers, the game not only turns out to be a more complete project, but the method is perfect practice for real work applications.

Do you need any prior experience?

As spoken earlier YouTube tutorials are really great! There's so much information out there, I wonder why brick-and-mortar schools still exist, what with Skype and everything. 

With professors able to walk through it all with a student that's a clean slate in the whole video game development process and able to push the tutorial-heads further, the better the school is.

Is the program challenging, yet comprehensive?

The program should be a great introduction for the uninitiated, yet drive the ones who dream in code to their very best--in such an interesting and fun way, that it hardly feels like any work. 

Just like a dream job in game development.

Are the chairs comfortable?

You'll be sitting in them for five hours ... and since you're paying for them, why not slip into something comfortable?

Does it qualify for an Apple student discount?

Then you know you've found a real school.