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Guildhall at SMU Game School -- How is it?

Posted by Cliff on from the first-hand-experiences dept.

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?"

3 of 24 comments (clear)

  1. Look at game developers payscales by MerlynEmrys67 · · Score: 2, Insightful
    Pay should NEVER NEVER NEVER be a motivating factor in your job decision (beyond making enough to live of course).

    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
  2. Check for sand by MarkusQ · · Score: 2, Insightful

    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 it's worth the tuition then it won't do much to prepare you for life in the industry.
    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.

  3. Guildhall Info by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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.