Note: For more information on MMU SEGD including this interview, please visit the SEGD Wiki, and the MGDC forums.
Recently I conducted a series of Interviews with some students/graduates of the Software Engineering and Games Design course in
Yee Siang is one of the success stories of SEGD. He is well known as the co-founder of MiniMax Studios, MGDC and MMU Game Developer's Club.
1) Tell more about yourself and your interests
My name is Tan Yee Siang, most of my course mates just call my nickname: eXiang. I have wide interest in everything, mainly art and science (programming). People said movie is the 8th art, I think game is a form of art as well.
2) Why did you choose to join SEGD?
I came to MMU for the loan, and bcs of a gal also :) When making my choice between FCM and FIT, I choosed SEGD where it is a combination of both. Of course, I join SEGD because I like to play game as well.
3) Did SEGD turn out to be what you thought it would be? Please elaborate.
Well, honestly, I never know what SEGD will look like when I was in Alpha year. I was gambling with my future at that time. Thus, once I get in here and understand the situation, I founded MGDC with lih hern - a game development community/portal mainly for MMU student.
Like John, we all don't want the alpha student to make the wrong decision. The only way to help them is to tell them the truth.
After all, there is not much difference from what I expected. I enjoy all the game development subjects, skipped some boring common IT subject and nearly fail in those Math subject. :)
4) In your opinion, do you think some SEGD student can hate programming but still survive and graduate from the course?
To me, it is possible to survive the course hating programming as some of my seniors and course mates have did just that. The percentage of programming work in the whole course is about 60%. As an SEGD student, there are many ways to graduate.
However, this doesn't mean that programming is not important. Game development uses programming extensively. (Without programmers there video games will not exist). Programming includes networking, AI, scripting, 2/3D graphic and sound, databases and etc. Game programming is always in the state-of-the-art of IT technology. (With some exception – like Software Engineering which is not very adopted in the industry yet :p)
And we should not forget, gaming technology is inherited from virtual reality technology.
On the other hand, it doesn't mean you can’t create a game without good programming skill. There are plenty of software game creators / authoring tools out there that could help you realize your dream. (You still need to know basic programming/scripting concepts)
Finally you have to ask yourself: Why do you want to spend your resources for a game development degree?
In my opinion, this course is for people that like both programming and the arts.
5) Do you think programming hard to learn? Why do you think it is so?
I don't think programming is hard to learn. Most of the people are weak in programming because they have no interest in it, just like I have no interest in Math.
The hardest thing to learn is the management of development.
6) How much work should a student put into programming to get good at it good enough to be a game industry-standard programmer?
Alot and alot. Imagine sitting in front of computer nearly 24 hourse a day, nearly 7 days a week. When I was in university, I rarely go downtown for cinema and disco. You might not believe it but the number of games I played in the last 3 years won’t be more than 3 titles. The first thing I plan to do after graduate is 2 months vacation and catch up on my much needed sleep.
7) Programming is boring to many new students (and to many senior students), and people do have that lasting first impressions. What do you recommend a newcomer to do to make programming / computer science more interesting and exciting?
Game development is one of the way. You will discover the beauty of programming through game development. To me, at least, I won’t feel bored when developing a game as compared to developing database application.
8) In your opinion, how should a SEGD student go about learning programming?
Being a good game developer is not just about being a good programmer. You need to be able to study on your own independently, able to work in team and manage a project as a team, and most important: be resourceful.
For example: You need to search Google first for the solution before you asking around for help.
Open source is one of the shortcuts for you to learn the programming and system architecture. Believe me or not, when you are exploring open source project, seeing how engineers all around the world implement the project, you are actually importing technology into
Lastly and undeniable, math is still important for a programmer.
9) Any links / articles to recommend?
Art
Imagine if I am a new incoming BETA SEGD student interested in Game Art.
11) I am interested in game art, and I know this course does not teach me that. What do you think I should do?
By default, the place you should go is MMU FCM or Lim Kwok Weng However, in my own opinion, both of these places can’t give you a good environment to succeed as a game artist.
A game artist still has to base his skills on traditional art skill.
Also, you must not making learning how to use Adobe Photoshop as you goal in your study. You should learn how to use Photoshop to achieve what you want. The ability to realize your artwork inside your mind is more important than what tools you are using.
In blizzard, they only hire artist that like to play game.
My advice: a CG artist that knows basic programming and has scripting ability is very important in the market today. (SEGD can exposed you the technical part here)
12) I don’t know anything about programming, but I know I hate math and doubt that I have the brains to be a good programmer. However, I still want to know about games development, game design and its process since I love games. Do you think it is wise for me to join SEGD?
You can develop other software even if you are an SEGD student. Same thing, you could still create games even if you are not a SEGD student.
To make you choice, your must have a strong interested and are ready to jump into it with no regret. Ask yourself: What a game development degree can give me?
General
13) Any practical advice you can give the BETA SEGD student?
- One should not come to this course just because he likes to play game.
- One should not come to this course just because he thought game development is just as easy as playing games.
- One should not come to this course if he intends to live a stable working life after graduate.
- Be independent and be ready to sacrifice. Most important of all, you must know your goal.
