#admin:viv

[ask-sgd]

Could you give me an example of 'rationale' Suppose I include a 3d sculpt, then what should the rationale be? Should I include the name of the software, render engine or the face that whether it's rigged and UV unwrapped or not?

the rationale is an explanation of each piece of your portfolio, so yes it would be ideal to include the software and such! but the key factor is how it connects with game design, so don’t forget to explain that too.

for examples, we all did brief explanations for each of our pieces in our portfolios so those might be helpful! 

- viv

[ask-sgd]

I see here I have to write a Statement of Purpose. How long does that have to be? Do you know how I should format it? Do I separate paragraphs by what question I'm answering?

The statement of purpose is actually a new requirement added to the 2018 portfolio, so unfortunately we don’t have any experience with this.

However, there are tips and samples available online! Here are a few links [1] [2]

Sorry we couldn’t be any more help. Good luck on your portfolio!!

- Viv

[ask-sgd]

Hello, I was just wondering is there a ton of 8 am classes or do they usually start later in the day? Thank you

I’m sorry… we never know… it’s a huge surprise every semester… good luck ^q^

- viv

Lots of the profs we have know the students well enough to try to schedule classes later in the day (say, noon), but unfortunately 8am classes still exist. Compared to other programs, I want to say this one is more likely to have classes starting later ... but it could also just be based on what year you’re in / which profs you get.

M

[ask-sgd]

Hello! First of all, thank you very much for running this blog, it has been very helpful for me. I would like know if there is a specific time I should start preparing my portfolio (one year before, year of, etc.), and if the requirements change each year. Additionally, in the example portfolios I've seen on this blog, all of them have contained footage of a prototype game. Would you say that it raises one's odds of being accepted more than the rest of the application options?

glad to hear it’s been helpful!

I started my own portfolio around 5 months early just to get the written portion out of the way, & worked on my artwork slowly along the way. that’s just me though (other mods can chime in on this!)

as far as I’m concerned, the portfolio requirements haven’t really changed (I just compared the 2015 requirements doc to the 2017 one on the site). the only thing that will change is the minimum score in order to get in.

having footage of a prototype game or level will definitely help :)

- viv

[ask-sgd]

Hello, Does it affect your portfolio entrance score if you submit more than one image on a page? For example two character turn arounds on the same sheet or three iterations of a background ( ex. day, night,morning ) on one? I don't want to lose marks over something silly like filling a page so I'm worried. Thanks in advance

tbh I’ve never heard it as a point of concern from any profs before when discussing portfolios so I wouldn’t worry about it!

- Viv

[ask-sgd]

Hello, Do you need to already have made games to get into the program, or is it okay if you haven't?

It’s ok if you’ve never made a game before, you just need to have enough material that suits the portfolio requirements

-Viv

[ask-sgd]

This is an Honours Bachelor in Game Design, but is it hands on? Most universities have lots of lectures, I don't think that is my style. How is this program run?

It’s very hands on! We make prototypes! All the time!

We have a few classes that are mostly theory, like Narrative and Game History, but our other classes run more like workshops where the prof teaches how to do something and the class follows along.

-Viv

From what the course has shaped up to be as of Dec. 2017, it kind of goes like this (excl. summer co-op between year 3 & 4):

Year 1: learning new hard skills (mostly hands-on)Year 2: honing + building on learnt hard skills (mostly hands-on)Year 3: learning theory + applying said theory (some hands-on)Year 4: capstone year, aka. the year you’ve been waiting for (largely hands-on)

M

[ask-sgd]

Continuing from that other anon's message about games to play before going into game design, what are some general basics about games and their mechanics/design/gameplay that we should know? If that's too vague, I'd just like to know how to prepare myself well for the program.

I don’t think general knowledge of the basics of mechanics are essential in order to prepare you for this program, as everything about games will be introduced and taught in a beginner level. 

however, if you want to be a step ahead of the game, I recommend watching extra credits. a lot of what we learn branches off or expands on a lot of their video topics.

another thing I really want to keep emphasizing for preparation is knowing & practicing the basics of coding, especially if you have no experience in it. a lot of people go into this program with no prior coding experience and keep up really well! but for others who are really slow (like me), getting yourself started will help :^) in first year, you’ll be learning processing and this is the textbook/site you will follow throughout first semester.

- Viv