Game Design Degrees: 10 Reasons Why They Are Anything But “Worthless”
Recently, a social media post by an experienced character artist in the game industry sparked controversy within the video game and academic communities. The post, a threaded rant that began with the words “Let me drop another bomb here folks. Game development degrees are completely worthless,” delved into various points about game design and development degrees. These points, however, appeared uninformed and potentially detrimental to individuals contemplating higher education in the hopes of it being a pathway to working in games. With a substantial following of almost 50k, the impact of such a sweeping statement could not be overlooked.
Although there is some truth to a number of points made by the original poster, this article aims to highlight what she gets wrong and why game design degrees are worth your time if you want to study making games. I should highlight at this point that I’ve been teaching game design for almost a decade and currently Lecture in Game Design at The University of Hull in the UK. I’ve also spent time as a Game Designer in the industry and developed a number of small indie and freeware games. My experiences have afforded me to categorically disagree with the blanket statement that Game Design or Development degrees are “completely worthless”.
It’s worth noting that the original poster is based in Melbourne, while I teach game design in the UK, so there may be some differences between the educational systems and our experiences. While I respect the work of the original poster, I had to speak out against the sentiment that Game Design degrees are “completely worthless”. Here are 10 reasons why they are anything but.
1: Portfolio Development Support
The original post raises a valid point: within the games industry, employers will prioritise your portfolio over your degree. Your portfolio serves as a testament to your skills and creativity, making it a crucial factor when applying for game-related jobs. Employers want to witness firsthand what you are capable of producing.
However, this is where Game Design courses come in handy. Universities provide invaluable guidance, acting as a compass for aspiring game designers, indicating what employers are looking for in a standout portfolio. Game Design programs offer a structured environment where students can hone their skills, experiment with different techniques, and receive regular constructive feedback.
Moreover, these courses serve as incubators for creativity, providing a nurturing space for students to brainstorm, collaborate, and innovate. They offer a supportive community of like-minded individuals, fostering an atmosphere where budding designers can learn from one another, share ideas, and collectively elevate their skills.
Additionally, Game Design courses often integrate real-world projects and collaborations with industry professionals, giving students a taste of the professional landscape they are about to enter. We have had a number of examples at The University of Hull where students are actually paid to take part in creating a game for an external client. Some of these games were actually part of research projects by academic staff at the University. These experiences not only enhance their portfolios but also provide valuable networking opportunities, bridging the gap between education and industry.
It’s true that you could develop portfolio content without going to University, but there is something else that University provides that is vital to the creative process:
2: Deadlines
In game development, adhering to external deadlines is a fundamental skill. These real-world pressures often define the success of game projects, making the ability to meet deadlines crucial for professionals in the industry. Universities incorporate assignment deadlines into their programs, providing students with a simulated version of the challenges they will face in their careers.
These structured deadlines serve a dual purpose. Firstly, they instill discipline, teaching students the importance of timely completion and delivery — a trait highly valued in the games industry. Secondly, they nurture essential skills like time management and problem-solving. Under the pressure of impending deadlines, students learn to prioritise tasks, allocate resources efficiently, and troubleshoot effectively, all vital skills in the competitive landscape of game development.
Moreover, universities often offer additional activities such as game jams or competitions which also include deadlines. These events not only bolster the development of technical skills but also enhance teamwork, creativity, and adaptability. Engaging in intense collaborative sessions, where participants create playable games within a limited timeframe, students refine their abilities to work under pressure, fostering resilience and resourcefulness.
3: Hardware & Software Access for Low-Income Students
Although there are often free alternatives, several industry-standard software packages come with a hefty price tag in the form of licenses or subscription fees. Fortunately, many universities offering games-related courses provide access to these software packages as a part of the curriculum. Not all students will have access to PC hardware at home suitable for game development and will consequently rely on the hardware made available by the universities.
Furthermore, students aiming to work with emerging technologies, such as virtual reality, may find it challenging to afford expensive headsets. In this context, universities play a vital role by providing access to this hardware. This accessibility allows students to experiment, refine their skills, and bolster their employability, all while exploring cutting-edge technologies.
4: Experienced Educators
The thread states that game design teachers are often academics rather than experienced veterans in the gaming industry. Indeed, there are university courses driven more by the popularity of gaming than by the presence of knowledgeable teaching staff. I experienced such a situation during my own Game Design studies, and it’s far from ideal. That’s why it’s important that those thinking of studying at University must actively engage in university selection processes. Visiting campuses, attending open days, and speaking with the teaching staff are essential steps. This ensures that the educators are genuinely passionate about game development and are well-versed in the current industry trends.
Many universities collaborate closely with employers to maintain updated curricula. They bring industry experts as guest speakers, enriching students’ learning experiences. When guest speakers share insights, it often aligns with the advice provided by the teaching team, which is reassuring for us to know that we’re delivering accurate guidance. The notion that seasoned industry professionals would leave lucrative senior positions in the industry in order to teach is unrealistic. Expecting a game design course to be exclusively taught by a team of industry veterans is simply a fantasy and so the next best thing here would be experienced educators in game design.
5: Up-to-Date Curriculum
The thread points out the existence of outdated curricula in relation to game design, and it’s true that institutional processes can indeed delay updates to programmes. However, universities frequently adopt creative solutions to address this issue. Modules designed with ambiguity, rather than specifics, grant lecturers flexibility in their delivery methods in order to remain current. Additionally, most degree programs include modules such as ‘Game Project 1,’ ensuring that the content stays relevant, even amidst the challenges posed by administrative processes.
6: Networking Opportunities & Work Experience
The thread asserts that graduates lack hiring advantages over hobbyists. However, in the UK, various networks support game education, such as TIGA and their University accreditation scheme, along with Game Republic. These organisations also support institutions through events like the Game Republic Student Showcase. Several University of Hull students have received awards here, leading to conversations with developers and one student in particular gained employment working at a studio on a major 2023 game release off the back of attending a Student Showcase. Such opportunities challenge the notion of game design degrees being “completely worthless.”
Furthermore, we’ve facilitated student trips to games festivals to allow opportunities for networking as well as participation in competitions, enabling them to showcase their games at festivals to wide audiences — opportunities that might have been financially out of reach for students without university support.
Additionally, as already mentioned, internal projects at the University of Hull have paid students to create games outside their regular modules. These projects, incorporated into portfolios and CVs, showcase practical experience in client collaborations. These real-world opportunities, provided by universities, undeniably enhance the value of game design education.
7: Skills Beyond Making Games
Another aspect to consider, and something we openly discuss with applicants during University Open days, is the intense competitiveness of the games industry. Securing jobs for new graduates is undeniably challenging. However, the UK Game Industry census taken by UKIE in 2022 found that 81% of the industry is educated to at least undergraduate level, rising to 88% for core games production roles in art or programming. This is considerably above the 57% average for the cultural and creative industries. 27% of workers hold a game-specific qualification, rising to over half of workers in game design and art roles. This study shows that although again that although a degree is not essential, most folks working in the industry have one.
However, it’s crucial to understand that obtaining a degree in game design doesn’t automatically guarantee a job in the industry. Success demands persistent effort and seizing every opportunity to work on projects during your spare time, solidifying your portfolio. Game design degrees not only equip you with specific skills but also cultivate a versatile skill set applicable across various sectors, enhancing your professional adaptability. Despite this, the skills you develop in many game courses are transferable to other sectors such as software development, animation, graphic design, or, in my case, education. I wouldn’t be in the job I am in now, without my degree in Game Design.
8: Exposure to Diverse Skill Sets
Most students who complete their education at 18 often lack a clear vision of their future path. I certainly didn’t have one! While I knew I wanted to work in the games industry and design games, the specifics, such as required skills and software knowledge, were a complete mystery to me. Despite my university education primarily led by “academics,” it introduced me to essential design principles and scripting basics, initiating me into tools for game development like Unreal Engine and 3DS Max.
Merely telling individuals to “go make games” as the original poster suggests, isn’t enough guidance, especially when most are unsure where to start or which aspect of game development appeals to them. The Game Design course at The University of Hull was designed in such a way that we knew students may not have a precise career goal in mind. In order to support them, we expose them to diverse areas: 2D Art, 3D Art, Prototyping in Game Engines, Animation, Game Audio, and UI/UX Design. This exposure allows them to explore and eventually specialise in their areas of interest.
Surprisingly, even students initially set on becoming 2D Artists have pivoted into design or scripting roles, driven by their enthusiasm for experimenting with languages like C# in Unity. This adaptability is a unique strength; it allows students to diversify their skills, making them valuable candidates in the eyes of many game studios, especially smaller ones. The multifaceted approach instilled in them during their education becomes an invaluable asset in the competitive landscape of the game development industry.
9: Community and Like-Minded Peers
Developing experience in working within multi-disciplinary teams is more challenging when attempted on your own. This difficulty is a recurring concern raised by the employers we collaborate with during the course development. Even industry veterans often emphasise the significance of collaboration. For example, they stress that being an exceptional programmer is insufficient if one cannot effectively collaborate with artists. University courses recognize this and purposefully place students in groups, tasking them to create games collaboratively to develop teamwork.
10: Exposure to new concepts
Degrees can provide opportunities to be exposed to new concepts and ways of thinking. Universities offer a space to experiment and investigate how game technologies can be taken in new directions and contexts, such as using video games to support therapy and employing immersive technology to train practitioners in medicine, the military, and other fields. They also explore the gamification of health and fitness to promote well-being and conduct research into biometrics and physiological or psychological responses to gaming. All of these aspects can contribute significantly to shaping game development.
Final Words
Hindsight often leads us to question the necessity of our educational journey, contemplating if we could have reached the same destination without a degree. I’ve had these same thoughts and asked these questions in the past. However, the truth remains: your degree played a pivotal role, whether you acknowledge it or not. When reflecting on your educational experience, you might think, “I could have done this without it,” but the fact is, you didn’t.
Fortunately, many individuals responded to the original post, echoing the sentiment I am trying to convey here. Studying game design degrees holds value, not just professionally, but also in the transition from school to the “real world.” It exposes you to concepts you might not have encountered otherwise. Numerous institutions collaborate with industry experts to design their curriculum, led by individuals as passionate about making games as any seasoned veteran.
I’m not saying that a degree is an absolute requirement to secure a job in the gaming industry. However, dismissing the value of game design degrees as worthless is entirely inaccurate. I am confident that numerous students fondly look back on their university experience, just as I hope my students do when reflecting on their time studying game design at The University of Hull.
Thanks for reading! If you’re interested in my work, you can follow me on Twitter @Stuart_Lilford or check out my games https://scared-square-games.itch.io/
