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Guildhall at SMU Game School -- How is it?
Needanewnick asks: "I heard and read about the Guildhall, and I was wondering if anyone could relate their experiences from it? I've heard that many so called Game Development Schools don't really do much for preparing the student for life in the industry. Does the Guildhall address this very well? What are post graduation job possibilities? Basically, is this worth the tuition?"
But then got offered a job at Oracle. I'll take the stability of a regular paycheck over working for a struggling game company (or even worse, developing something to be published by EA) anyday.
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At Michigan State, we have a game development organization (Spartasoft) that helps those that want to get into the game industry. People can find others that share interests to work on projects, we have tutorials (3D Studio Max, DirectX) and even get guest speakers (from Microsoft, Image Space (who did Nascar Thunder and F1 for EA), etc). We've had several people graduate and go on to work in the industry as well as get internships. Last year, we had two projects nominated in the Independent Games Festival Student showcase.
The important thing though is that the people that succeed from here are passionate and work extremely hard on their projects. So I don't think guild halls are necessary. But effort and dedication is and that'll carry you regardless of where you go to study.
Note: That's just my personal opinion. I'm just a graduate student and not in the game industry.
In times like these, it is helpful to remember that there have always been times like these. - Paul Harvey
I was asking around Dallas to see if people knew anything about success ratios in the program. From what I understood there was a pretty high pickup of people out of the program (something like 80-90%), course I have no idea what the pay was like as for it being "worth it", not sure anyone can answer that but the person asking. What are you looking for money? fun? prestige?
That said - I have had a few friends drop out of corprate programming jobs to take jobs for various gaming companies. Lets just say the paycuts were extreme (of course their happiness increase was extreme as well).
If you are after high paying jobs - this isn't the field for you. If you think all you will do is play games all day - don't even think that... If you want to work hard (very hard) and play harder - the job might just be right for you
I have mod points and I am not afraid to use them
I heard and read about the Guildhall, and I was wondering if anyone could relate their experiences from it? I've heard that many so called Game Development Schools don't really do much for preparing the student for life in the industry. Does the Guildhall address this very well? What are post graduation job possibilities? Basically, is this worth the tuition?
I don't know anything about the Guildhall per se, but I've worked professionally in the computer game industry on and off for the last twenty five years or so (starting with text based games for a TSS), and I can tell you this much:
If you're really concerned about being prepared for life "in the industry" I'd recommend going to Las Vegas. Take lots of cash. Trust everyone you meet. That's the quickest way I know for getting up to speed on "life in the industry".-- MarkusQ
P.S. It is my firm belief that some things should only be done for love, and that game development is one of them. The nice thing about game development is that once you have absorbed the lesson of Las Vegas, you won't be tempted into thinking that there are any other realistic options, and you can focus on the fact that on a typical day you're having way more fun at work than most people have in a month.
P.P.S. Do not share this joyous insight with your landlord when explaining why the rent has been...rescheduled. Just tell him/her that you want the rent check to be perfect when you mail it, and there's no reason why it shouldn't be ready by early next quarter, so no worries.
Similarly, there is also Digipen in Redmond, Wa, and Vancouver, B.C. Does anyone know how it compares to Guildhall?
I've heard Digipen is a source for Nintendo to draw upon, but I don't believe it.
Personally, I believe that you don't need a special degree in computer game design to make it. Anyone with a CS degree and their own time to read books and make their own game will learn the same thing. Plus, the CS degree is more marketable. Focusing on just the game industry during school seems like a bad idea.
Okay, I have been reading the posts and it seems there is no real information about Guildhall being posted, only opinions, and not opinions related to Guildhall, but the industry in general. So here we go... 1) Guildhall is not a guild or a hall, as one poster seemed to infer. 2) Guildhall is not a college degree or only a single course of study at some specialty school. Guildhall is: 1) A "graduate certificate" program sponsored by Southern Methodist University in Dallas TX. 2) It is a joint venture between the world of academia and major players in the game industry to create a program to foster game development and create programmers and artist that are better suited to enter the game industry. That is not to say you can't do it on your own, it simply means that game companies are tired at looking at thousands of applicants a month that have no chance of getting in. Through Guildhall, the hope is to create people with the exact skills and portfolio needed in the industry. Amazing concept huh? lamens might call it "vocational" training or apprenticeships. 3) Anyone who says they know the success or failure rate of Guildhall is sucking wind to hear themselves suck wind. Guildhall opened its doors in the summer of 2003 and is not even done with the first COHORT group. Therefor there is no success or failure to report. 4) If you want to know the names of people associated with the program, industry or academia related, check out the website. www.guildhall.smu.edu Everything I said can be backed up with a little research on the website. In fact, I am not even a student at Guildhall, but I am considering it. I have also finished a BA in the Dallas area, and am very familiar with the program, even back to its inital inception. If you really want a viable source for game development information or information on getting into the game industry, check out these links: www.igda.org (International Game Developers Assoc. they host the Game Developers Conference every year. They have a local chapter in Dallas at SMU as a matter of fact. www.gignews.com a game recruiting website, based in dallas and hosted by the Cambron sisters. If you want to get to know someone in the industry that already has their foot in the door, and is keeping it open for others, talk to one of them. www.gamasutra.com go here for all things game dev. www.gamedeveloper.com part of gamasutra. Order the magazine and read about Guildhall or anything else you want to know about. Also, for 6$ download the 2003 Game Career Guide. I did, and its packed with good stuff. Hope this clears up confusion. mp
I am currently a student at the Guildhall and only one person has left up to this point and that was for medical reasons. So don't believe this guy who says he left for Oracle (although it may be tongue in cheek)
Now to answer your questions:
The Guildhall has only been in extistence for 9 months now. So to ask is it worth the tuition? is a tough question to answer. I'll try and give the best info I can.
I am in the software track and I can tell you that what I have learned here so far is invaluable. I have learned more and coded more in the last 9 months than in my entire 4 years of college in a CS program. The curriculum we are being taught is created by and affirmed by people IN the industry. In fact, they just had a meeting last week to improve it and finalize it for the next quarter. So I'll let you be the judge if that is worth anything to you. Personally I think it is.
Second, our direct contact with the industry on a weekly basis is huge. We have a class once a week where an industry professional makes a presnetation on a topic related to the industry. They have all been very valuable for every discipline. There are also several internships in progress and several more in the works so those are great "footholds" in trying to get a job as well.
In January, it will probably be easier to answer your question because hopefully most of us will have jobs but The Guildhall does not guarantee us a job. It is up to us to get the job, they are just doing their best to prepare us. Hope this helps answer some of your questions.
P.S. sorry for the anonymous post but i didn't feel like taking the time to register right now.
I'm a student at the Guildhall, on the Software Development track. I'm in the first cohort (group of people going through it) and we will be exactly halfway done this coming Tuesday.
As with any new program, there is both good and bad. I'm at GDC right now, and don't really have time to expand on each, but to sum it up, it's my opinion that the positives outweigh the negatives, and it's worth it.
The most recent press release in the news section mentions one internship that's currently underway as a result of the program. It's not the only one, nor the most impressive one. I'd say more but would like to wait for a newer press release announcing it. It's an opportunity that I doubt would have been available without the connections the program has with the industry.