Home › Posts tagged schools

Tag: schools

By Posted in Applying, Schools 6 Comments

If you want a career in the video game industry, finding the right educational program can jump-start your career and help you find a better game job, faster.

But unfortunately, college isn’t cheap — many programs can cost a small fortune that could take you years to pay back after graduation.

That’s where scholarships, and other forms of financial aid, can really make a difference. Scholarships can reduce the amount you pay for college, which means you’ll have a lot less to pay back after you graduate. Keep reading to learn where you can find the best video game scholarships, and find out how to make sure your application has the best shot at getting accepted.

Read more »
Tagged with: ,

By Posted in Schools No Comments

A website for Destinations Career Academy loaded on an Apple laptop
Is an online high school right for you?

If you’re a high school student interested in becoming a game designer, it can be hard to know where to start. Sure, there are lots of options for learning game design if you’re in college… but for high schoolers, there haven’t been many options to “formally” learn game design, until recently.

One of your options for learning game design in high school, is an online program called Destinations Career Academy (DCA). It’s an online high school that’s tuition-free and fully-accredited, available in 19 states (US only). DCA also has some private schooling options, and runs free online game design summer camps.

Today, I spoke with an outreach manager from DCA to learn more about what it is, who it’s for, and what their education programs can do for high schoolers interested in game design. Read more »

Tagged with: ,

By Posted in Careers, Schools No Comments

Portrait of Branden Brushett, 3D video game artist
“Do not give up. Working in the game industry is worth the struggle.”

Branden Brushett is a professional 3D artist in the video game industry, with credits on hit games like Minecraft, MetalStorm, and Paradise Bay. But it took more than an art education to break into the game industry. After art school, Branden’s journey had only just begun. Success as a game artist demanded serious effort, countless hours, and literally chasing his dream across the country.

We’re speaking with Branden today to learn why you should (or shouldn’t!) get an art degree, how to choose and apply to art schools, and how you might be able to score a free education and follow a non-standard path into the game industry. Read more »

Tagged with: , , ,

By Posted in Applying, Interviewing No Comments

A few weeks ago, I spoke with a group of students at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment, a game and film school here in Seattle. They were kind enough to make a video and share it with the world, I thought you might like it.

It was super fun, because I did an open Q&A with the students. They’re graduating soon, so they asked about everything: interviewing, resumes, portfolios, and whether good digital hygiene means you should “scrub” your social media before employers find those pics of that thing you kinda wish you hadn’t done last summer. Here’s the video. Read more »

Tagged with: , , , ,

By Posted in Careers, Schools No Comments

Profile photo of John Dennis, video game designer writer
John Dennis wants to know: Could writing for video games be your cup of tea?

What does it take to become a Video Game Writer, and how is writing for games different from linear media like books and film? How can a game writer create a story with endless possibilities, adapting to any choice a player might make — whether expected or unexpected?

Those question (and more) are answered today by John Dennis, who has worked in the game industry over 20 years on diverse titles from the beloved Worms franchise to the mega-hit Call of Duty series. He’s currently a tutor at Arvon academy for their course, Writing for Games: The Art and Business of Creating Interactive Narratives.

Read more »

Tagged with: , , , ,

By Posted in Podcast 4 Comments

In this episode of Game Industry Career Guide Podcast, I answer a question from Ramo, who asks, “I am currently an airman in the navy, but when I get out I would like to fulfill my dream of becoming a sound producer for a video game company. I would like to know what schools could I attend, and what people I should I connect with?”

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Various educational options for audio engineering and production
  • Why career networking is critical to your future audio career
  • The best way to grow your career network rapidly, so it will be there when you need it

Read more »

Tagged with: , , ,

By Posted in Applying, Networking 53 Comments
How can you get your foot in the door, if the door won't open?

Does the video game industry seem like a black box, with no way to break inside? All you need is a foot in the door, but how do you get it to open in the first place?

You can get into game development. All you need is a solid strategy.

But it’s time to stop searching for “the right way,” because there’s no one “right way.” Instead, there are many ways to get your first job at a game studio. To discover the best strategies, it takes an understanding of how the current batch of professional game developers started out.

Here are 10 strategies you can use to break into your first job at a video game studio, along with examples of pro developers that have done it. It worked for them, and it can work for you. Read more »

Tagged with: , , , ,

By Posted in Schools 1 Comment

Which "traditional" universities actually offer video game degrees?
Which video game school is right for you?

Choosing a college or university can be a lot of work, and it can feel like a big commitment. That’s because it is!

The top video game design schools in the country are ranked and listed below. But just because they’re ranked best by Princeton Review, that’s not a guarantee they’re the best for you. Before you decide on a video game school, use the information on this page to research your options.Read more »

Tagged with: ,

By Posted in Careers 14 Comments

Which degree is required to become a Game Designer?
Which degree is required to become a Game Designer?

Is your quest to become a video game designer? If so, you might feel that you’re facing a difficult journey with many decisions to make. Should you go to a video game college, state college or private university? Should you focus on programming, design, or art? Is a 4-year degree enough or is more required of you?

There are many roads to take, and many educational paths to choose. Which one leads to your dream job making games?Read more »

Tagged with: , , , ,

By Posted in Careers, Tools 14 Comments

The Internet is full of info about the game industry. But only a handful of resources cut through the noise to offer current, practical information to help you get a job and grow your career in games. And they’ll save you a lot of time and effort along the way.

The resources below are the cream of the crop, and come recommended by top game schools and industry professionals. And – bonus! – most of them are absolutely free. Enjoy!

Read more »

Tagged with: , , , , , ,