Looking for MSc formation or similar.

[pakoito]

Hi,

I just finished my two BCs con Computer Sciences and I want some specific formation in Game Design, as game designer is my goal career. I'm not sure about what Masters are good or where to take them right now. I've looked in gamecareerguide but it's not quite specific about the quality or satisfaction fo the people doing them. So I want to hear GCG's opinion on the matter. European schools only, also.

Thanks a lot, fellow partners

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by pakoito

1. I want some specific formation in Game Design, as game designer is my goal career.
2. I'm not sure about what Masters are good or where to take them right now.

1. http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson14.htm
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/designprep.htm
2. http://www.igda.org/games-game-june-2011
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson44.htm
http://www.igda.org/games-game-june-2009
http://www.igda.org/games-game-july-2009

[pakoito]

Hey! First, thanks for your answer. Most of those articles you link I've already read. Most of them discourage going all in for game careers, which I understand.

I finished two BSc (5 years total!) in other subject I like and I could immediately get a job in something related. None of them taught anything related to what I want to specialize in, and same that I would get into any "Software Engineering - SAS" master (which I find a rather boring yet profitable subject) I want to know which options, as in MSc of X subject in Y school, I have available in the subject of Game Design and have proved as good ones.

Also, money expenses and the like are not such a big HUGE quantity in Europe as they are in USA, in most countries you can get a MSc under 3000$ or even free in Denmark or Norway.

EDIT: What I'm trying to say is, I want to get some formation before trying to get the job and the experience. I *could* be making GameMaker games for a year on my spare time from other job, but I want to do them right.

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by pakoito

I want to know which options, as in MSc of X subject in Y school, I have available in the subject of Game Design and have proved as good ones.

That question was answered in those articles. Study whatever you WANT to study. You can get where you want to go the best, if you follow your own passions.
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson40.htm
Here's how to make a decision:
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/m70.htm

By the way, the word you want is "information" - it's completely different from "formation."

[pakoito]

I don't know what I wan't because I don't know the options, I went through the guide to find more than a hundred different universities and schools with different plans ranging from engines to design, and if I have to go 1 by 1 looking at their plans and fees I may just go crazy.

Just want a bit of narrowing down, which are the most common options and which ones didn't happen this year or are not really oriented to design but engine tinkering. Someone who studied in any of them giving opinion or something, past alumni jobs, references, etc... I don't want to go to the best or more expensive, I just want to know which ones are available.

I know Dublin's Trinity is oriented to engines, Denmark only accepts new students in Fall and Liverpool doesn't have it anymore. And there's still more than a hundred places more in the guide!

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by pakoito

I don't know what I [want] because I don't know the options, I went through the guide to find more than a hundred different universities and schools with different plans ranging from engines to design, and if I have to go 1 by 1 looking at their plans and fees I may just go crazy.

See that article on making a decision. You can make sense of overwhelming data.
Run filters. First, decide what is your most important criterion. Location? Cost? Name of degree? Having decided the most important thing, eliminate options on that basis. Then decide your second most important criterion, and eliminate more.
You can also ask a guidance counselor to help. You can get guidance from career counselors at the institution where you got your most recent degree -- they would love to give you advice to help you winnow down your overwhelming list. It's better than asking strangers on the internet.