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  • Studying Game Programming In Canada.

Hey Guys,

I'm a new member, and I was really surprised about this forum, it's really awesome.
Well, actually, I'm in my last year at school and I'm planing to continue my university studies in Canada (Toronto, Ontario), as a Game Programmer (P.S: my sister is living There since 2001).
After spending days searching on google, about a good college teaching game programming, I've found "Humber College" and it seems pretty good.

Plus, Canada is full of the highest games foundation (EA, Ubisoft, Gameloft, Enmasse etc...), that makes a good advantage studying game programming in Canda.

P.S: They need high skills in mathematics and physics (I'm actually good in them), plus a score of 88 in TOEFL iBT. Well, the problem that I'm a french student from begning (since I've started school), I learnt *some* english from online games and contacting/chating with english people since I was 12.
Moreover, I'm a addicted to games, such as RPGs, MMOs, MMORPGs etc... (Order & Chaos Online, Dofus, Last Chaos, Aion ...).

At last, I really need some help to decide, I'm confused, is it a great decision? Is it good to study and work in Canada? Please, replies must provide arguments.
Thanks...


Note: Sorry, if there's grammar and/or spelling mistakes.
I would suggest a school in north america (digipen www.digipen.edu), from my experience, it is the best school to learn and actually practice game development + it is close to canada.
Thank you ZeRaW, but I'd rather to stay in Canada, but the main point is to discuss about Game programming diploma, study and work as a game programmer... Is it a good choice?
Otherwise, what's wrong with humber college is it bad? I've read lots of good reviwes about humber (and digipen as well).
game dev is one of the hardest and most paying jobs.
There are a lot of specific topics for example you can spend your life being a physics dev, an engine dev, gameplay, graphics, r&d etc.
And this is if u work for a major studio like ubisoft.
You could always find work at smaller studios and be a bit more generalist but usually game dev tends to push you for optimization and you will find yourself focused one one area.
In any case i do not have experience woth other schools so i cannot give u my opinion but i do know that you do not have to learn game dev at school in order to work in the industry. It just makes your chances higher.
One of the advantages of digipen is that the owner, the cto and 70% of the teachers are lebanese
I am in Montreal but unfortunately I did not get the chance to work with game development companies - yet :)
I have a friend that works at Ubisoft, but in IT. I will ask for his opinion or have him ask internally about the best schools for their industry.

I also suggest you go on Linkedin and create a profile if you haven't already, then use the advanced search to see what are the academic background of current and past Ubisoft, EA, Gameloft employees.
Look for specific titles like "developer", "designer", "architect", etc. I think it will help you understand how these employers pick their talents.
-Thank you Razorback for your suggestion.


-ZeRaW, That's great, I've read lots of articles talking about game programmers and their job. Actually, working in a big company, like EA, Gameloft... Isn't so much fun, you work as a robot, there's deadlines, but they pay very well.
Working with a small company (Indie Games) is praticaly more fun and intersting but they don't pay too much and that's actually the bad thing.
Well, even if game programmimg is hard to study, but at the same time it's fun, and enjoyable.
By the way, thanks again!


-Ed, I'd love to know more about your experience (if that doesn't bother you ^^). By the way, I'll be thankful if you ask him about humber or another great school in toronto, also about its reputation.
About linkedin, I've never thought about this idea! Thanks a lot man, I'll search for them as soon as possible, but I bet they'll be private :P (but How knows).
Pay attention my friend, being addicted to games doesn't mean you will like developing them.
playing with a joystick is completely different from thinking in a CS way, so give more time to researches and make the decision, Good Luck :) .
-amkahal Well, it's true what you are saying, but actually I have the requirements, so why not? Game programming seems to me so intersting to learn, even if it's hard. Nothing is hard when you want.
It's amazing when you see that results of you work become alive, it's a great pleasure. Anyway, thanks.


-arithma Every job is risky, the problem that companies want only good programmers and they are trying picking up programmers with more than 2 years of experience, this is making problems, especially for newbies.
It's the story of the world, especially in Lebanon... Isn't? ;).
Abdallah wrote-amkahal Well, it's true what you are saying, but actually I have the requirements, so why not? Game programming seems to me so intersting to learn, even if it's hard. Nothing is hard when you want.
It's amazing when you see that results of you work become alive, it's a great pleasure. Anyway, thanks.


-arithma Every job is risky, the problem that companies want only good programmers and they are trying picking up programmers with more than 2 years of experience, this is making problems, especially for newbies.
It's the story of the world, especially in Lebanon... Isn't? ;).
Well actually now it is getting harder and harder, even if you are a veteran that does not meet you will actually pass the interviews for job. Companies want the "best" developers, they make the hiring process a hell for the applicants, this usually means 5-10 interviews with heavy concentration on problems and optimal solutions.

In lebanon it is not that hard, you would basically have 1-2 interviews at most and some general questions, why? well because in CA and US they cannot just fire you, you get a lot of benefits (other than the high salary), so they cannot afford to do a mistake in hiring.
Well... It's good and bad at the same time. The bad thing, is the interviews, that are so concertated and hard to pass. The good thing is that you stick to a job and they will not fire you easily. Unfortunately, here in Lebanon, they can fire good employees with no reason.
But I think, a good developer, even if he's new to the industry, he will be strong enough to pass these interviews. (I know, I prefer to be optimist).