Member Avatar for Virii

So I'm trying to decide if going to college for computer science or computer enegineering would be worth it. Or should I get a BS/BA in something I really enjoy doing (Like film or art) and just teach myself computer programming, opengl, direct 3d, etc.

My passion has always been computers and film. I'm semi artistic and can learn to produce some great 3D art or effects for video games... but the same time I'm very logically minded and I understand how computers and programming works. I've taught myself evertyhing I need to know about web development, and I am moving on to OpenGL now (after having learned C++/C#).

I've heard that Computer Science is mainly theory, and that it's also very boring if you already understand how everything works. So is it worth it to do that, or should I just take something I enjoy (like film/art) and teach myself everything else I need to know to work in game programming/art?

That way I have a degree in something I enjoy and still learn/have the experiance in game programming and game art to get a job in the industry based on experiance alone?

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raised the core choice clearly, and the replies from and add useful perspectives. Below is a compact, practical way to decide and concrete next steps for each route so the next 12–36 months produce marketable outcomes rather than just more uncertainty.

Start by treating this as a product-design problem: define the exact job to aim for, then work backward. Useful quick checks:

  • Pick 2–3 target job titles (example: engine programmer, gameplay programmer, technical artist, environment artist) and read current job listings for required skills.
  • Run a 6–9 month experiment: finish 2–3 portfolio pieces that match those job requirements and try for one internship or a game jam.
  • Cost vs time: compare program costs, likely internship/access to networks, and what employers at your targets actually screen for (portfolio, projects, or degree).

If following a computing degree: target courses that give game/graphics depth (linear algebra, computer graphics, real-time systems, parallel programming, performance profiling). Pair class work with practical deliverables: a small real-time renderer or shader pack, contributions to an open-source engine, and at least one industry internship.

If following a film/art degree: choose electives or a minor that teach scripting and engine pipelines (Python/MEL, realtime engine workflows, shader authoring). Build cross-disciplinary pieces: real-time-ready assets, VFX breakdowns, and tools or scripts that speed an art pipeline. That combination maps neatly to "technical artist" roles that sit between pure art and programming.

Two final points: internships and demonstrable projects matter more than a piece of paper for many studios, but a degree still helps with hiring filters and long-term options. For current job projections and pay/context for each category, see the BLS pages for Software developers and Multimedia artists and animators.

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Member Avatar for Ravalon

I don't have a degree, so take my opinion with a grain of salt please. :)

I've heard that Computer Science is mainly theory, and that it's also very boring if you already understand how everything works.

You probably don't really understand how everything works. Taking a focused course in CS will really fill in the gaps that you don't know you have.

That way I have a degree in something I enjoy and still learn/have the experiance in game programming and game art to get a job in the industry based on experiance alone?

Game development is really really competitive, you need as many trump cards as you can fit in your hand. Besides, game programming and game art are two different fields. If you split yourself between them then you're going to have a much more difficult time keeping up with the specialists. You need to pick one and go with it full steam instead of try to make it in a competitive field straddling two professions.

Member Avatar for WaltP

So I'm trying to decide if going to college for computer science or computer enegineering would be worth it. Or should I get a BS/BA in something I really enjoy doing (Like film or art) and just teach myself computer programming, opengl, direct 3d, etc.

Depends on what you want to do. Do you want to do film as a career? Or computers? Or both? Either case, yes, get a degree.

My passion has always been computers and film. I'm semi artistic and can learn to produce some great 3D art or effects for video games... but the same time I'm very logically minded and I understand how computers and programming works. I've taught myself evertyhing I need to know about web development, and I am moving on to OpenGL now (after having learned C++/C#).

Maybe get a degree in film animation and special effects. Get training in computer effects like all movies are now using.

I've heard that Computer Science is mainly theory, and that it's also very boring if you already understand how everything works. So is it worth it to do that, ...

Don't listen to people that don't know what they are talking about. It's far from only theory. If you're interested in CS it's not boring. If you don't care about it, booooooring!

...or should I just take something I enjoy (like film/art) and teach myself everything else I need to know to work in game programming/art?

That way I have a degree in something I enjoy and still learn/have the experiance in game programming and game art to get a job in the industry based on experiance alone?

I'm missing something here. Do you not enjoy computers? Every time you mention enjoy you mention film/art but seem to leave computers out. If you don't, why are you learning them?

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