Overview
Game development is a procedure of producing games that range from normal video games to advanced mobile games. The stages involved in creating a game is pre-production, production, milestones, nearing completion, testing, completion, and maintenance. Unlike game designers or game programmers, game developers are involved right from the conception to completion stage of a game. The length of developing a game depends on the complexity of the game. For example, developing a puzzle game with two dimensional graphics would consume less time while a game loaded with real time and three dimensional graphics may take a long time.
Undergraduate game development degrees are combined with computer science engineering at certain colleges. Also, you can do a specialization degree in gaming development after pursuing any undergraduate degrees. You can obtain these degrees either online or at campus. The duration of the game development degrees can range anywhere between two years and four years, depending on the college and program. The curriculum includes introduction to information technology, network technology, game architecture, and game modification development. Other courses are programming concepts, computer graphics systems, modeling, and control of rigid body dynamics, artificial intelligence, digital games, collaborative game design, and simulation.
Benefits
If you love playing video games, then by taking a course in game developing, you can have fun and earn lots of money at the same time. A game developer can choose to be in an end-to-end business process instead of being limited only in the programming and designing end. Apart from that, you can also choose to become the producer, designer, programmer, level designer, sound engineer, or quality controller. Game development degree is also a rewarding profession. According to the 2007 salary survey of game developers in the United States of America, the salary package ranges from $70,000 to $80,000 per annum.
Costs
The cost of the game development degree depends on the college or university at which you choose to study. The average tuition fee ranges from $30,000 to $80,000 per annum. You may look for a scholarship or financial aid either from your college or from other sources to reduce your financial burden.
Schools
There are many colleges in the United States of America that offer game development degrees. There are also some colleges that provide online certification degrees. Michigan State University, North Carolina State University, Brown College, and Santa Clara University are some of the colleges that provide bachelor's degree in game development.
Testing & Preparation
Students who aspire to become game developers must basically possess an advanced knowledge of software applications in MAC and PC platforms. Also, you must have a certification and proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Flash. Apart from this knowledge, you should score high on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), American College Test (ACT), and if you happen to be an international student, then also the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a reasonable score.
Financial Aid
The colleges themselves have a program to offer financial aid and scholarships to their students. Federal Student Aid also provides scholarships to the worthy students. Globe University of Minnesota offers scholarships to deserving students. Students planning to study at Brown College can approach the financial aid office for financial assistance.
