Advice needed - at a crossroads

[harpwn]

Ok so I signed up to this site to see if I could get a bit of advice with where to go from here.

Ill start off by saying that I am studying computer science and originally my plan was to move into software engineering. Here I am 2 years later I find myself less inclined, mainly because I do not enjoy the most technical aspects of computer science (low level programming etc). I am realizing that the areas I enjoy most about games are not the most technical aspects (Game design, game mechanics, ), I guess this means I enjoy a more top-down view of games. So keeping that in mind I want to ask you guys your opinion, I am about to look into starting a masters and your input is greatly appreciated. I should point out that although I love game design I am not an artsy person :S.

1. What are realistic career paths to follow from here? (masters/job path)
2. What positions are realistically available for a computer science graduate?

Any other advice is great appreciated, Thank you for your replies in advance

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by harpwn

a. I am about to look into starting a masters and your input is greatly appreciated.
b. I should point out that although I love game design I am not an artsy person
1. What are realistic career paths to follow from here? (masters/job path)
2. What positions are realistically available for a computer science graduate?

a. I recommend you follow your passions. If you are passionate about taking a masters degree, go ahead. But you don't need a masters degree to work in games.
b. What does your artistic ability to have to do with your love of game design? That's like saying, "I want to become a racecar driver but I don't know anything about petroleum engineering." Huh?
1. There are tons of career paths you can follow. The question is MUCH too broad and vague. Here are some lists of career paths - not one of them unrealistic:
http://gamecareerguide.com/getting_started/
http://www.skillset.org/games/careers/profiles/
http://archives.igda.org/breakingin/career_paths.htm
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson7.htm
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson34.htm
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/m70.htm
2. Programming jobs are most readily available, but those are hard to get if you don't have the passion and drive to have built a good portfolio. Level Design and QA jobs are also a reasonable option.

[harpwn]

First off, thanks for your advice. I am going to read through all those links and figure myself out.

Secondly I mentioned art in conjunction with design because a fair few of the positions up on gamasutra listed art (in one shape or another) as a requirement.
My current knowledge of 3D modelling tools is 1 weeks worth from 1st year (Povray).

Im sure design is quite a wide area and as such many positions exist, I guess for now I really just need to figure out how what roles as a computer science graduate will fit me.

Do you think its much harder to make it into design than software development?

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by harpwn

Do you think its much harder to make it into design than software development?

Of course it's harder. Game Designer is the single most sought-after position in games.
Watch this:
http://www.penny-arcade.com/patv/epi...-game-designer

[harpwn]

OK so I've read the articles you've posted and watched the video from penny arcade. Also discovered that my personality type is ENTJ.

I have found that as a CompSci graduate the best positions for me to move towards is either technical or games design. With that in mind I think moving towards a masters in a related field (e.g. 3d animation etc) may be the way forward. Keeping those things in mind here is round 2(or 3) of questions.

1. What is a good masters or further education to get a good base in game/technical design principles?

2. Alot of the articles list quality assurance testing as a good entry point, do other entry points exist for CompSci graduates? (on a less technical level than pure software engineering) are these realistic? (Avaliabillity, competition)

[tsloper]

1. What are you leaning towards?
2.a. Yes. What looks interesting to you?
2.b. Yes (depending on your abilities and portfolio).

[harpwn]

Thanks for being so patient, your answers are really helping me out.

I am now looking at the posibility of taking a year (or shorter) in industry then doing a masters. Beyond quality assurance & testing whats a good area to look for jobs. (CompSci degree, no portfolio) I really want to achieve a good grounding in the processes involved in games design and make use of my degree.

[harpwn]

http://www.gameindustrygrunts.com

This looks like a decent site