[game_edu] Brenda Braithwaite's game_edu rant at GDC

[Erin Hoffman]

Just a quick second perspective from a working game designer who lurks on
this list (apologies if there were already replies from others)...

Being a game designer without being able to code is a bit more like being a
painter without ever learning color theory. You can get along without it,
there are entirely self-taught people who sort of reverse engineer things --
you're just at a significant disadvantage. And with the number of students
who want to get into game design today, that is a very serious and
potentially game-changing disadvantage.

A secondary disadvantage beyond the hampered ability to design feasible
systems and communicate those designs to engineering (and, VERY importantly,
convince them that what they think might be impossible is actually
possible!) is that you are reliant on other people both to speed up your
learning (to see your designs in action) and to express it in a portfolio. I
get great resumes from college grad candidates these days who have flash
games they've made entirely themselves and show very clear windows into
their design ethic and thinking that just put them far ahead of other
applicants of the same level.

Thirdly, having taken the time to learn some programming -- and she doesn't
say a full CS degree is required, just that it sure wouldn't hurt -- shows
dedication to the craft. It shows seriousness and maturity about what is
involved and good common sense about the challenges they'll encounter. CS
lower level classes also should teach logic and creative problem solving --
both of which are the better part of making it as a game designer. Coding is
definitely a key piece of well-roundedness in a design candidate. Can a
person get by without it, even at entry level? If they are VERY exceptional,
perhaps -- but especially when they're coming out of college, it raises
questions as to why they would leave out this part of their education that
is so intrinsic to the creation of videogames. The game industry is still
fast-changing and volatile enough that the people who make it tend to be
those who are willing to get their hands dirty and do what it takes to get a
project done, even if it's against their core interests.

Lastly, I have also been watching IGDA GDC student scholarship applications
for about the last five years and have seen the steep upward ramp in
achievements of applicants. The base college grad education set from the top
tier schools is WAY more competitive than it used to be. This is great, but
it's also what students are up against.

I hope you are all encouraging students interested in game design to learn
to code...

--Erin
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