That's right readers. It is soon going to be the start of my second year at university. I can't wait to get back to lectures. This year the computer games programing course steps up a huge amount in all fields. The last terms work left me being able to program 2D games in C# using XNA and with a basic knowledge of C++ and yet in only one years time I will be going to work for a games company (If I survive this year!).
So, I hear you cry, how are you going to get good enough at C++ and 3D programming in only one year? Well, that's a good question. To make this jump from first year programmer to industry standard will be no easy feat that's for sure. To help us make that jump we are going to need a large amount of programming modules and a huge amount of work out of lectures as well. Guess what guys, that's exactly what we get. John Sear (Program Leader) has, as always, prepared just what we need. I'll give you a short breakdown of this years modules.
In the first term:
Game Development Technique
In this module we are using the unreal engine 2 to make a Famous Five based adventure game. We have already been sat a large amount of work for this.
Intro to 3D Graphics Programming
In this module we will be looking at programming 3D graphics in C++. Lots of lovely calculus. This is the module I am most worried about.
Then over both terms we do:
Personal & Professional Dev
From what i know about this module it looks like some what of a filler module that is there to teach us basic key skills that are not covered in the other modules.
Console Development
I am really looking forward to this one. In this module we get to use the Sony PSP development kits that have been sat there taunting us for a year. I'm looking forward to spending loads of time in labs seeing what I can do with the PSP. This modules is worth twice as much "Units" that go towards your degree (30 instead of 15). This means that it has the same work as two modules.
And in the final term of the year:
Applied Game Development
This is the module i know least about but by the name I would guess it is the module that takes you on after Game Dev Tech. Not sure what we use in this module but I would guess its C++.
Interactive 3D Graphics Programming
This one is a more advanced version of the first term 3D programming module. Pretty self explanatory.
Mobile Devices
This is where we make some really kind of cool games in Java for mobile devices such as PDAs or phones. This is where I am glad I have a android phone. Looking forward to makes some cool Java games.
So that's a awesome line up. I am excited to get back but there is also a element of fear that I won't be able to make it through one of the modules. I'll keep you updated on how its going.
If you are coming to Derby this year then drop me a email and I will get a few programmers together to show you round when you get here and you can ask us questions. I wish be around uni so check the labs for me (when you know where they are) and introduce yourself. Hopefully you will recognise me from my Blogger picture.
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