#admin:kristy

[ask-sgd]

Heyyo I just had a q about whether it's better to have a game sample made in a short amount of time, or if having the components of a game that are strong samples is better? Eg animation, 3d models, strong digital art, game assets. Is it not better to show best work? Or does it not matter as long as you make a game on a game engine it will weigh more towards better grade? Ty ty

To the asker: apologies for not posting this answer sooner - it was drafted during the college faculty strike.

Definitely put your best foot forward! On the Sheridan website, you can see a sample of the admission and portfolio requirements that will more or less be similar to the one you will be sent after you apply for the program.

In the Portfolio & Rationale part, you’ll see different categories like game mods, design sketches, and art assets. I would recommend choosing the ones you are most comfortable and confident with, instead of forcing yourself to use a game engine you may have less experience with.

-Kristy

Show the work you consider to be the best representation of your abilities. For this purpose, it’s typically better to spend more time with the components you know are good rather than to hastily throw together something complicated or unfamiliar just to try to impress. I would aim for multiple strong pieces to showcase your variety of talents.

Also: there’s a link to the sample portfolio requirements PDF hosted on the Sheridan College website on our F.A.Q. page. It would be best to closely refer to the actual requirements when creating your application portfolio. Good luck!

M

[ask-sgd]

is orientation super important? i don't think i'll be able to attend unfortunately :(

It’s not SUPER important but it will break the ice with getting to know your classmates and even know your work /school environment more. It’s not the end of the world if you miss it, and if you’re not going to be hung up about losing out on ‘first-day impressions’ then you’re fine!

-Kristy

[ask-sgd]

Hiya! Thanks for running this blog it's super helpful! I was just wondering if you could give me a quick rundown on what these classes are like : The Language of Drawing and Design for Games 3 Introduction to Media Computation Also was wondering if you knew what kind of companies come for internships, does ubisoft since they have a location in Toronto? Thank you!! 😊

Hey! I can only answer the first part at the moment and our now thirds years are JUST getting ready for co-op, so I apologize for any asked about co-op at this given moment.

As for The Language of Drawing and Design for Games, this is your general “how to make concepts” class. I’m not sure if it’ll be the same course load this up coming year, but last year, our semester long assignments were geared towards pitching a concept. You do not need to code or level design (too much) for this class. Our various assignments are very art heavy; the first assignment was to create a world map (something akin to this: [link]). The second was to create a character silhouette and character design of your protagonist and your antagonist/NPC. The third project was to create a scenery with correct perspective (which will be aided with a 3d modeling tool that escapes me at the moment). And the final project is to bunch everything together and pitch the game to the prof and class.

For Introduction to Media Computation I THiNK this was the coding class but I’m not entirely 100% sure. in the first semester, you’ll be primarily coding with java in a program called Processing. your prof will provide you a free online text book that you can follow along. There’s also a GREAT GUY on youtube called Daniel Shiffman. His channel’s name I believe is called The Coding Train. The first of the series can be found here: [link]I won’t be able to tell you the what exactly is to be expected of you other than to follow and read the text book (”Learning Processing“ again, your prof will provide you a free online link, or you can rent them from the library). It’s a pretty straight forward class if you’re diligent in following the text book and inclass work periods!

-Kristy

For the co-op part of your question, this previous ask might help! :)

-Jen

[ask-sgd]

Do students in the program use any social media sites to communicate about school stuff. I see that the program has a private Facebook group and so does the residence. I am not on Facebook, should I join or can i keep in the loop without it.

Very often they do post for the first few months since you all will most likely not each other well enough to exchange any other contact info. From what I’m seeing at the moment and in past experiences, FB is often used for more announcements and the usual general question asking. However, I whole heartedly encourage you to try and join their discord server. discord is an instant messaging app that can be used for organizing, planning, and any other misc. things. In my year (2020) the FB group was made and the discord channel was made around the same time, but the discord channel was a lot livelier. There’s already one made this year for 2021 so all you have to do it join! However, you should still join the FB so that you can find the link to join there and to be notified of any other announcements in the future. There’s also the ‘all years’ FB and discord channel which I believe is deemed “Sheridan Honours Bachelor of Game Design”

-Kristy

[ask-sgd]

More of a Sheridan Question, I have been accepted into Game Design and am really excited. I will be staying in residence. Is the early move-in, orientation week a must do? If I decide not to take early move in will there still be an orientation so that I can figure things out. Do most people move in early....I think I want to enjoy the summer as long as I can.

First of all, congratulations!

Both early move-in and orientation is not a must but will benefit you in terms of knowing your peers and the school better. You do not have to move in early to go to the orientation day! It’s a school/program-wide event that happens on a set day. Not everyone moves in early but they do give early movers events to go to and it’s a lot easier to meet people on your floor. imo I do feel like the early move in is worth it if you can dish out the extra cash and want to meet some people before school starts. And I feel you on the making summer last part lmao

-Kristy

[ask-sgd]

Could you give us a basic run-through of a typical class in the first semester course "The Language of Drawing and Design for Games?" I've hardly touched a sketch book or drawing tablet and I worry that this will be just another "show what you already know" kind of course. Thank-you! :)

The Language of Drawing and Design for Games is a course that no matter how much experience you have, the prof (Jon, I believe) will mark you fairly based on what you show him. How Jon taught the first year last year was to create art concepts for a game that we had in mind. There was no programming or anything, it was purely just concepts. The first project was a world map (something like this) and in this first project, Jon will mark everyone close to 90-100%. From here I feel like Jon mark the rest of your work in contrast to what you provided him. So if he knows you’re not that great of an artist, he’ll still give you marks for giving him what he asked for. Occasionally, if he knows that you’re a great artist but slacked off, he may drop a few points, so work hard kids! The final project for this class is to put all the assignment that you’ve done (world map, character concepts, mechanics, and a storyboard) and slap it into a power point to “pitch your idea”. 

A typical day in this class would usually be Jon telling you the assignment and give a demo of how he would approach it, then it’s a work period and the week or two after. I would recommend you all to go to these work period so you can get some input in your assignments. He’s a chill teacher and will most likely not care too much if you don’t show up, but if your assignment shows that and you get a bad mark, he’ll be less sympathetic when you ask for an extension.

You don’t need a drawing tablet since the school has a Cintiq lab and a few around the fishbowl and cheese wedge.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, it can feel very much like a “show what you already know” type of course but Jon has experience with triple-A titles so if you truly want to go above and beyond, don’t be afraid to ask him for some input or even help.

-Kristy

[ask-sgd]

Not a game question, but a Sheridan question. I just noticed that there is no meal plan at Sheridan and I will be in Residence....I can't cook. Will I survive? Are there places to buy lunch and dinner that are near by and somewhat healthy. I can live on Subway, but my mom won't like it.

Sheridan has a caf that consists of Harveys, Express Thai, Subway, and Pizza Pizza. We also have two Tim Hortons, a Second Cup, and a student-run bar and coffee shop. I know tons of kids that can’t cook and is still doing ok ;) The caf closes around 4pm depending on the day of the week, while Tims usually closes around 7, I believe.

Across the street from Sheridan are Burger king, Monaghans (a bar), Habenaros (burrito place, Highly recommend), Ginos Pizza, and a 24 hr market that’s a little over price.

Sheridan also run weekly buses to the nearby Superstore every Tuesday from 4/5-9pm

The most healthy option I can see from these options would be Subway or Express Thai. If you want to eat healthily, I would highly suggest you experiment and learn to cook. It’ll save you a butt load of money in the long run.

I should also warn those who want to cook and live on residence: There is a kitchen on every floor. If you lucked out and got res 1, you’ll have to ask for a physical key every time you want to use the kitchen. This was implemented due to kids not tidying up after themselves. Res 2 kids, you lucky ducks get to use your oneCard as the key. You’re not allowed to bring stove/gas tops, but is allowed to bring (VERY SPECIFICALLY STATED) induction tops. I would HIGHLY suggest you invest in on. It’ll make your life and time that much better.

-Kristy

Dec. 2017 (edit): Sheridan’s DineOnCampus program might be worth looking into if you’d like a meal plan. I believe this is relatively new.

M

[ask-sgd]

Do you need to be strong in math for the program. My strengths are creative writing, storytelling, character development. I know I will need to program as well, but currently it is not my strength. Also, do live in Res? What's it like.

Nope! I’ve only every used a singular math equation for one line in an assignment that required it. You don’t have to worry if programming isn’t your strength. I’ve noticed that the profs here mark on how and what you learned, rather than what you did.

This is my second time living on res! I personally enjoy it a lot, but I know a lot of others don’t. The one downside I see in living in res is that you have to go to the communal kitchens to cook (but you can find a work around by getting an induction cooktop, which is allowed here in res). Another downside is that you’ll occasionally have to deal with floor meetings (optional, I never go to them ;)), fire drills, and the occasional times where they do bed bug checks. I find that the pros outweigh the cons. you get a bi-weekly cleaner that cleans your living kitchen and that bathroom, you get some KILLER internet speed, and if you get into res 1, you get to wear summer clothes in winter ;) 

Oh, I guess if you have noisy neighbors, you’ll be able to hear them too. The walls are pretty thin :/

-Kristy