Has anyone completed a games dev course in Ballyfermot?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I’ve recently been considering going back to college as a mature student.
It would’ve been better to have considered this months ago, as most courses are filled by now or require a CAO application back in February.

Anyways, I’m of the opinion that a qualification in design/animation or computer science would probably be the best route into games dev.
However, there’s not much doing on those fronts at this stage.

I’ve noticed on the Ballyer website that the two games dev courses still have places available (LUDO & CGHND).
Was wondering if any of you have done one of these courses?
Is there much merit to them?
I know, I know, it’s what you make of it and all that, but does the qualificaion itself hold much weight with prospective employers?

Cheers

[Anonymous]

Hi er, geebag

I’m entering year 2 of the hnd you mentioned. It’s a generalists course, we do a good bit of everything. Ludo is best for school leavers, and is often used as a stepping stone to the HND. If you are confident with computers and reckon you could handle doing the art elements you should apply for the HND.

As for what employers think of qualifications, at GDCE the other week I was told several times to my face that an opinion hasn’t been formed on games specific courses. The studios I was talking to are taking a wait and see approach as regards graduates at any level. What they do look for are demonstartions of ability in the area you wish to work in, and a games course does give you a few dedicated years to produce game’s work.

Best thing to do is come along this week if you can. Classes start tomorrow so most of us, that is returning students, 1st year students, and of course the staff, will be around to answer your questions. Plus if your interested you can probably sort everything out on the day.

I’ve got a very early and short day tomorrow but if you can be in between 10 and 11 I’ll happilly sit down with you. I might stick around later but I can’t be sure atm. pm me either way.

John

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I completed the LUDO course a number of years ago when it was still in it’s start up form. I then got a job in the UK as an animator, as a result of one year on the course & the work i put in at home for a further year, so it’s definately possible.

How this qualification holds up for prospective employers, it’s hard to say though – different employers have different standards. Some employers will only look at someone with a 3 year degree of some kind, while others will look at what you show them, & make their decision on whether you can demonstrate that you can do the job, & of course, there are those who mix the two tactics. Personally speaking, i think the latter approach is a more accurate way to guage applicants, as what looks good on paper is not always so – see the “Short Gaming Courses” thread & their discussion on how team projects can drag those who don’t deserve it, through the finishing post of the end of year qualification. But if you can do the job, that’s ultimately all the qualification you really need.

I also have doubts about a management that are more concerned with beaurocracy & qualifications, than with quality, skill & ability. So if they turn you down on that basis, you can be glad that you’re probably better off without them.

You can go & look for a course to look impressive on your CV, or you can concentrate on what you really want to do in the industry – design, animation & computer science covers a very wide area! Decide what you’d really like to do & work at it. From this respect the LUDO course is very good, in that it does (or did back in ’98 anyway) cover all areas of development allowing you to sample each & see what’s for you. I would recommend not taking a course because of what others think of it, but for what the course offers you instead. Opinions are varied anyway, it takes one good or bad student to make a name for a course in people’s eyes

I can’t really say how employers will look at a LUDO qualification – unless they’ve got direct experience of a past student, they’ll probably keep an open mind & just look at what you can show them. It’s not a 3-4 year degree that you can do in computer science, but it is directly game-related, & that has a lot to be said for it too.

but at the end of the day, it does come back to “what you make of it” i’m afraid.

happy course hunting!

[Anonymous]

Anyways, I’m of the opinion that a qualification in design/animation or computer science would probably be the best route into games dev.
[/quote:b18346b2b8]

If you want to get into the art side of game development and not programming, skip LUDO, skip the game dev course and go straight to the Art dept in Ballyfermot or Dun Laoghaire and take the HND in computer animation and 3D modelling.

[Anonymous]

Pete : I always wondered about those “game art” programs. Do you actually learn anything else than how to use the tools of the trade?
I mean, wouldn’t it be simpler, if you are already a computer literate person, to just go do the Fine Arts or a similar “proper” Art school, and just pick up the computer tools on your way? Or even integrate them in your own Art school projects (try to bring the computer art into the Fine Arts? Not an easy task, let me tell you).

Maybe it’s just me, but I find it much more useful to know simple stuff like colour theory, composition, anatomy, and other “classic” notions. After all, who cares if you can use a software if what you produce with it looks like horse manure?

Then again I suppose you could just pick up books on those classic subjects while you do your Game Art school…:roll:

Philippe

[Anonymous]

It would be unfair to me to comment on whether you actually learn anything on “game art” programs as I’ve never studied on one, I’m sure some are worth their salt. I did the HND in Computer Animation and 3D Modelling in Ballyfermot where I learned the fundamentals and intricacies of animation both 2D and 3D over 2 years dedicated to it. Befor that I had an introduction to digital art when I studied for a year or so on a Bsc Hons in Media Special Effects. IMHO its better to spend the few years concentrating on art, rather than bits of this and bits of that. Although a knowledge of game art and techniques will give you a head start, its really nothing that can’t be learned quickly in the industry in the right circumstances, and if a studio is to hire a graduate artist, proper provision for training should be made.

[Anonymous]

Did LUDO……but as I had been using 3D Studio Max and Photoshop myself for a number of years I learnt very little new.
For people who have little to no experience with digital art, and no real traditional art skills Ludo would be a good choice as a kind of stepping stone to more advanced courses such as the HND games dev course in Ballyer.
If you have traditional art skills and want to get into the art side of games development then I would do what Pete said and go for the Animation course…….

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