   Degree In Game Design
  Hello, I've been curious about this for quite a while. I've read Tom Sloper's Article on Game Design and some books as well on the industry, and they say the same exact thing for what degree you should obtain for game design."Get a degree that you're interested in!"I must ask now... What is the use of a Game Design Degree if you're told to get a degree in what you're interested in instead? What if you want to go into game design, however, you're interested in Economics, Biology, Etc? What is the purpose of that degree?   
  Well in a utopian world you will be designing games that you are interested in.If you had a degree in biology for instance you might have designed the game "Spore".If you had a degree in economics maybe you'd have designed "sim city" or an RTS or an MMORPG in which games you were in charge of balancing the game economy (a big task!)Although it seems if you get a degree in game design itself you should know how to properly design games better so it seems like each direction has it's pros and cons (:Basically, to design a game you have to either know what you are talking about, or SEEM to know what you are talking about (either one is ok haha).Having a degree in something you like let's you actually be able to know what you are talking about and make a realistic game (or just take the fun parts from reality and fill in the rest w/ whatever you want)   ;  Thanks.The reason I brought economics up is because I've read somewhere that Hideo Kojima got a degree in economics and not game design, and well... He made Metal Gear Solid XDAnyhow, I'm probably going to major in Japanese Language/Culture and get a Bachelor's in that or higher (If I feel as if my knowledge in Japanese Language isn't efficient enough). Probably a good way to start plus I have an interest in Japanese Language.   ;  At the end of the day a game design degree is a very specific course and one would be narrowing their occupational options significantly if they took one.Game design degrees give very little room for a "plan B" if one doesn't break into the professional game industry. Considering that game designer employers don't look for game design degrees but rather experience in their potential employees, it just makes sense for one to choose a degree which they are interested in and can get a job outside the games industry if they: lose ambition in game design; find that they don't have what it takes; or simply can't break in.Furthermore, there is only so much such a degree could teach one in the game design realm. If one wishes to know whether they possess the knack to design games, then one should get out some paper and design a board game, card game or a video game's game design document.Pure creativity cannot be taught.   ;  So then, my question is this. If I were to get a degree in Japanese Culture and Language, would I be able to enter the video game industry with that and hopefully, eventually, become a game designer?   ;Quote:Original post by Siberianhusky89So then, my question is this. If I were to get a degree in Japanese Culture and Language, would I be able to enter the video game industry with that and hopefully, eventually, become a game designer?We're telling you it isn't an obvious barrier. Nobody can foretell your future. If you want to get that degree, you should. ;  Getting a degree in what you are interested in is good advice because, well, why would you want to spend all that time doing something not interesting?Is a degree in some various subject going to help you get a job in the games industry? No, most likely not.  However, it may come in handy if you happen to work on a game in a field related to your degree.Just like in any other industry, showing that you have a degree on your resume gives you points over those who have no schooling, but owning a piece of paper isn't everything. ;)   ;  Here's a problem though. I'm interested in Japanese Language and Culture, however, I'm more interested in Game Design than I am that. If I were to get a degree in Japanese Language and Culture and it wouldn't help me get into the game industry, that would conflict on my interests.   ;Quote:Original post by Siberianhusky89Here's a problem though. I'm interested in Japanese Language and Culture, however, I'm more interested in Game Design than I am that. If I were to get a degree in Japanese Language and Culture and it wouldn't help me get into the game industry, that would conflict on my interests.While it won't necessarily help you get into the games industry, being able to speak fluent Japanese would definitely help if you wanted to get into localizing Japanese games or make games in Japan.They brought in Ryan Payton on MGS4 to help 'Westernize' the controls, so Japanese would help getting an opportunity to do something like that too.Of course if you are lucky enough to get a chance to work on a game that has something to do with Japanese culture, or course that degree would come in handy.   ;  Fine. Make a decision grid. Lay out your options, then collect the pros and cons of each option, and make your decision.If you go for a Game Design degree, what kind? One that's actually a game programming degree? Or one that's actually a game art degree? Or what? Can you minor in Japanese at the school where you get your "Game Design" degree? Collect facts, fill out your grid, make your decision.   