What do I need to Major in.?

Question

Hey everyone!

Am a senior in high school and I plan on going to college after I graduate. But there is something I don't really know as of yet. I don't know what I should Major in. I do know what I want to do though. Well its a lot of things. First of I want to do something involving video games. I love games and I always wanted to make games and design them, but what should I major in.

No remember, I said that I wanted to do a lot of things. I love games so am just using that as a stepping stone to get to all the things I want to do. I want to have my own carton, possibly my own carton studios. I also want to have my own film company, record label and clothing line. That's just to name a few things I want to have my hand in.

I know some my ask why I want to be involved with all that, well the answer is I got inspired by two guys one named Richard Branson and his Virgin brand of over 360 companies. The other not as big as Branson, but hes doing his thing T.I. and his Grand Hustle Records. He also has a clothing line and grand hustle films.

I already know that am getting my Masters degree, because I think I will need it for all the things i want to do. But do I need a Doctoral degree also?

So the questions. What do I need to Major in to design and create video games?

What else do I need to major in to do the other stuff that I wanted to do?(Cloths, Cartons, Movie company, and Record company)

Also I know I will need a Masters, but do I also need a Doctoral to?

And that's about it. I know I probably wont be as Big as Richard Branson, but it doesn't hurt to try it if that's what I really want to do.

Answer 1

depending on what university or college you go to you have have a double major or maybe even a triple. it depends on how much passion you have and how much work you are willing to put in.There are special colleges solely dedicated to a career creating video games (i always see their ads on TV and stuff) so i recommend browsing around the net. usually you need majors in computer science or computer graphics, or programming, any major where you extensively study the possible graphical and scientific possibilities of a computer. For all the other things probably majors in fashion studies, film studies and music studies. Since you'll be managing these stores and outlets, you'll probably need some classes on finance and business administration. It's a lot to take on but if you really want them, I'm sure you can get there!  

Answer 2

There actually isn’t a best major for game design – assuming you’re using the term correctly.  Outside of the game  industry it’s often used incorrectly, but within the industry “game design” means the process of coming up with the details of the gameplay, using math and writing.  It's the designer's job to come up with the ideas for every tiny detail of the game, and communicate those ideas to the programmers, artists, testers, etc.  The designer decides what NPC the player encounters where, and what the NPC will say; what weapon the player can get at what point in the game and how much damage it does; what attacks a boss mob has and how much damage they do, etc.

(If you meant more the art creation side, get a Fine Arts or 3D art and animation degree.  If you meant programming the games that someone else designs, get a Computer Science degree.  Otherwise, see below.)

I typically tell aspiring game designers to go to any good four year college and major in whatever interests them, because there isn’t a best major for game design.  I’ve worked with game designers with degrees in everything from Theater to Biology, but not a single one, in the nine years I’ve been in the industry, with a degree in Game Design, so you can avoid all the “specialized” majors – for the most part they’re c**p and/or a scam.

In your situation, I think it’s pretty clear that you’re going to need to get an MBA eventually.  Doctorates are only good if you want to research or teach, IMO.  For undergrad, I would strongly recommend Marketing or Public Relations, along with a lot of writing and math up through Calculus, if you’re thinking game design and directing your own cartoons.  (I assume you meant “cartoons” as in animation, not “cartons” as in containers.)  If you’re thinking more art for video games and drawing your own cartoons, get a solid basis in Fine Arts, along with both 3D and 2D animation classes, and again lots of writing, and either a minor or double major in Marketing.