Full Sail.

[Lucid]

Has anybody here ever been to this media technology college in Orlando, Florida?

I've received a couple brochures from them over the past few weeks...
And it's sparked my interest.

Seeing as I'm in my final year of highschool, I should be looking at colleges.

But, naturally, I'm only interested in those that offer game design.

Thoughts? Recommendations?

Their website is here.
Reading about it, and looking at what they offer's made a bit... giddy.

But if possible, I'd to like hear some first-hand experiences here.
As I'm sure alot of you guys are in college atm.

 

[theotherguy]

Don't go to a technical college. Just don't do it. Your career opportunities will be much higher if you go to a university first, and then technical school as a followup.

You should learn the core principles of computer engineering and programming at a major university first and then go to full sail. You might think you can get into game design right away, but the truth is, there are thousands of people like you, and a very limited number of jobs in the field that will earn you any money. You must have a core degree as a backup or you might find yourself floundering with a degree from a technical school with no place that will take it.

 

[Lucid]

Ah, yeah.
I've been taking night school courses at my school in computer programming for the past 2 years now.

If that counts for anything, I go to a vocational high school.

I don't know any Universities around here, plus there's a cost factor... I don't have the wealthiest family out there... I'll probably be joining the service first.

 

[Glirk Dient]

Keep in mind though that games are getting exponentially more complicated and therefor the amount of designers needed goes up. I am going to try to get into story writing/testing and nudge my foot in the door to become a designer.

 

[nofx]

Ive read bad things about Full Sail, to me you can only teach a person so much, try looking at major university's small programs like SMU's guildhall program. I would ask a guidance counselour at your school about game design colleges that are instate Mass to florida is a long way to go to learn that the college is not so great

 

[Ome_Vince]

What bad things about Fullsail? I've heard mostly good things about their training and facilities and such.
I'd take something more general first, so you have options, -> too specific limits your job opportunities.
ps, Fullsail is freekin expensive from what i've heard :O

 

[Glirk Dient]

What bad things about Fullsail? I've heard mostly good things about their training and facilities and such.
I'd take something more general first, so you have options, -> too specific limits your job opportunities.
ps, Fullsail is freekin expensive from what i've heard :O

Ive looked at full sails program and it seems more oriented towards programming and art vs the creative design of a game. If you wanna get into programming or art then that isnt a bad place to go to.
http://www.adigitaldreamer.com/video-game-design-information.htm

Look at that site, it may help.

 

[Lucid]

I'm going to be moving to Florida within the next year or so anyways, so it won't be too bad.

I'm also looking towards Digipen, I've heard good things about them.

Ah, and thanks for that link, Glirk.

Just sent for a brochure from ITT.

 

[Glirk Dient]

I would like to go to ITT as I hear it is pretty popular but I go to a community college for generals so if they don't transfer my credits then im screwed.

 

[Majestic XII]

I live in Sweden so I can't say anything about Full Sail or Digipen but I can, however, give you some advice. I'm a student at the University Of Skövde in Sweden on the "Video Game Development - Design" program which means basically that I'm reading to be a game designer or something like that. HIS is the leading University in Northern Europe (I don't have any figures on the rest of Europe but I'm pretty sure they score high up on there as well) on game development and invest millions of SEK into game research.

Something you should look for is diversity in their program. No company will hire game designers right of the bat. You need to work your way up to the game designer position and for that, you need some skills. I got courses in 3D modelling, rigging and animation, texturing and game programming in addition to my creative writing, project management, game analysis and so on courses. You need a "secondary" skill in order to get somewhere. So look for that.

My University puts a lot of money into research and it's mainly into how the human mind reacts to playing a game, the psychology behind it and the cognitive processe. We have loads of interesting research projects going right now and I'm planning on starting my own project soon. It's very important to understand how the human mind works in order to convey what you really want in you game... and to think outside the box. So look into that as well.

Whatmore... One good thing might be to look up so called "Incubators" around the University/collage. Most of the students in the 2:nd and 3:rd year (and a few in my class) already got their own game development companies going thanks to the Incubator (Gothia Science Park) right outside our Uni. Keep an eye out for www.dreamlords.com

So yeah, to sum it all up; Look at the big picture. How big are they? Do they do any research etc? There's so much more to it than just meeting some people with the same interest and make a game.

Edit: Also, the price. I have no idea how it works and how it fits your budget. I never had to worry about that since all education is free here.

 

[Krynn72]

I just got out of class!

I ****ing love it here. Im going for computer animation, and it so ****ing awesome to be around so many people who actually like to do computer animation.

So far I have met a bunch of game design guys also... and they like it a lot too. I am even creating some content for their final project games. I like it so much here I cant even put it into words.

I cant post a lot right now, I have a final project I need to get done, but PM me with any and all questions you have and I will answer them asap.

Or just post your questions here... whichever.

EDIT: Oh, and here is a topic made by someone at another forum I go to. You can see what people have to say about other colleges (as well as what I have to say about FS). This post was more for computer animation though... and I dont know if you want to be a programmer for games or make the art for games. http://www.3dbuzz.com/vbforum/showthread.php?t=139369