Games Development

[KingCatMeowInSpace]

Have anyone’s DC studied or are studying this at Uni ? My son’s interested in applying for this- specifically the design side rather than the programming side. Things like game ideas/rules/characters/quests/levels- nothing that involves good drawing skills but is great at ideas/imagination. Any jobs in this?

I think there's a lot of games depts closing - Aardman closed theirs. Partly due to the advent of AI

Oh is there - I’ll need to look into it - just starting to explore it

Tough industry to get into at entry level as AI is taking out these jobs, friends DD did degree and masters at Falmouth but no jobs so trying to freelance develop own game with fellow graduates who also can’t get jobs sadly. I have a teen doing Games Design qualification at L2 and was hoping to do a L3 but wondering whether to pivot into something else.

Abertay is one obvious place to try - but yes, tough to get into industry now.

I wouldn’t recommend it for uni, have to balance the approx £60k on student loans against the subsequent job prospects.

My DD just finished a degree in Game Design at Bournemouth and is now looking into other careers. There are just no jobs and many companies are making staff redundant rather than taking on anyone.

@marmiteloversunite Oh no - that’s terrible for your DD- they must be gutted after completing the degree and I assume enjoying it. Will they change path completely or are there other related carers that have more jobs?

Around 25% of employees in the European games industry lost their jobs in the past 2 years. It's still a massive industry obviously but there's market decline (after decades of growth) and consolidation / AI making fewer jobs available. It's also quite a new industry where veterans are in their 30s and unlikely to be retiring any time soon to make way for newbies.

Also games development departments tend to strongly prefer maths/engineering degrees.

There are skills shortages in the creative industries though - your DC should check out recent Creative UK / DCMS or relevant industry bodies reports on what they are looking for - post production might be a route worth pursuing?

A family member has a good degree in this and has worked in hospitality ever since because he has never been able to find a job that he is qualified for.

@FKAT that’s interesting re people not retiring making way for new starts- I hadn’t thought about that. He is also contemplating maths n stats n data analytics degrees if doesn’t do a Games degree. He’s not interested in programming/post production - it’s the other side he wants- coming up with game ideas and rules n what happens in different game levels etc - all that side of it.

My cousin actually went this route. He’s all about the mechanics and world-building, not the drawing part. He ended up as a level designer, which is a solid career. Most studios hire a separate game art company to handle the heavy visuals, so his lack of sketching skills never held him back.

@Wyattus thanks- he’d LOVE to be a level designer- sounds perfect for him and no need for drawing skills- did he do a games degree or something more general?

My DD was set on animation, particularly 2D, which is making something of a resurgence here. She didn’t want to work freelance but be part of a studio. She did a course at CSM and asked the course leader, who teaches at Master’s level, about career prospects. She said, well, I teach and everything else I do is a freelance contract. My DD also realised how many animators were on instagram with excellent reels but all looking for work. She decided not the life for her. I think one has to be very realistic about the job market. There are thousands of graduates every year and few jobs. Would he consider working abroad? My DD looked into that (France having a bigger 2D industry and she has an Irish passport).
If determined Abertay, Uni of Staffordshire and Uni of Herts all rank highly for game design.

Look v closely at destinations of graduates from each course.

Thanks @mondaytosunday - no not keen at all on moving away anytime soon unfortunately so may need to reconsider his plans- will be applying to Unis later this year so needs to decide though. Good luck to your DD - hope decides on something that she still loves.