Home Forums Education, Training and Jobs What next? Advice needed!

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    • #5825
      Anonymous
      Inactive

      Hi all,

      Was wondering if anyone can give me some advice!…… I’m currently doing the Higher Diploma in Computer Science in UCD, and i completed a BSC in Mathematical Sciences in UCC last year. I have an interest in A.I. and I’m thinking maybe I’d like to get into a job realting to A.I. programming for games but I don’t really know where to start. Would I be qualified enough after the higher diploma to apply for jobs in that area or would I need at least a masters? And are there any of these kinda jobs in Ireland anyway? Would I need to go over the water? If I need a masters degree, I’d like to do a research masters.. in that case, any idea what kind of research topic should I choose? So many questions i know! But i’ve seen a lot of great advice been given on here before!!! :oops: So if anyone could help i’d appreciate it very much!!!

      Regards,
      Keith.

    • #35436
      Anonymous
      Inactive

      I did the same course in UCD and while I think it’s a great course I don’t think it’s enough on its own to get a job in games. Of course it does depend on the type of job you want- e.g. if it’s working on mobile games you want, that might be enough and there are also mobile games companies in Ireland. If you don’t want to go down this route, you could put a lot of effort in doing game programming projects on your own time but unless you’re really dedicated then a masters would probably be better. It might be worth bearing in mind that some of the taught masters have quite a big research component like the ones at Abertay and Liverpool John Moores, and probably some others I’m not aware of. As for doing a pure research masters and choosing a topic, one starting point would be to take a look at the topics covered in books like the AI Game Programming Wisdom books and Programming Game AI by Example to get an idea of the range of AI topics applicable to games. Good luck!

    • #35437
      Anonymous
      Inactive

      Hey Keithbro,

      I’ve got a similar plan to yourself, I am doing a Masters in a non-game related AI course – Evolutionary and Adaptive Systems (although I’ve had to defer the rest of this year because of a long term illness which is a major pain in the backside) – i’d found it full of things (how various insects navigate for example) that would be quite useful for developing game ai agents.

      It’s a 49 week course with 2 taught terms and a 4 month programming project for your thesis.

      To give myself the best of both worlds (academic and game) I’m also working my way through Mat Buckland’s "Programming Game AI by Example" – check out http://www.ai-junkie.com. It’s a great book that covers all the ground work. The code examples are in C++ and Win32.

    • #35439
      Anonymous
      Inactive

      Mat Buckland’s "Programming Game AI by Example" – check out http://www.ai-junkie.com. It’s a great book that covers all the ground work. The code examples are in C++ and Win32.[/quote:a67de5b6b1]

      I second that. Read that book and study it Your man that wrote it is on Gamedev.net and replys to questions if you ask them there.

    • #35449
      Anonymous
      Inactive

      hey guys, thanks for the advice and for getting back to me so quickly. you all recommend the "Programming Game AI by Example" so my first step will probably be to go out and buy that book. i’d like to stay in dublin for another year as I’m still only getting used to the place after moving up in September, so I’ll probably try to get myself organised in applying for a research masters in UCD. I’ll use that book to try and inspire me to think of a research topic as you suggested SimElaine. It’s a shame theres no taught masters in the subject of AI in Ireland! Its such an interesting topic!!!

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