The courses for all the schools are basically the same, some school have all of them or more, some only have a few. The syllabus also varies between schools. I'd list all the course related to Game Creator course that I know and what they offer (generally).
- Game Programming Course.
..mostly related to game programming, but does include system programming. Mostly done in C++ since most game company in Japan uses C++ for example playstation etc. Extra syllabus include JAVA (for cellphone games), C#, Network Programming, DirectX, Game Planning, CG, Math.
..Mostly the course are separated to 2 kinds (for colleges) 2 years course and 3/4 years course. 2yr mostly concentrate on 2D games while 3/4yr on 3D games.
..in Japan 2D games sells more then 3D games.
..Can apply work as a Game programmer or SE programmer in Japan.
- Game CG Design.
..obviously related to CG and modeling, heavy on math, software used depends on schools. My schools uses Maya. Extra syllabus includes simple game programming, planning, drawing class. (there are more, but I can't remember)
..Work as CG designer in game company.
..CG designer job offer is way alot more then Game Programmer.
..If you want to go CG, go for the real CG course. They are usually better and have wider range of knowledge you can learn. Wider job types too.
- Game Planning.
..Planning stuff. Syllabus include on how to create your 企画書(kikakusho/game proposal),仕様書(siyousho/thing that comes after proposal is accepted, where the planner draw every details of the game, how the character move for example.) You will be writing hundreds of proposal. Extra syllabus include simple game programming. (Other then that, no idea)
..New course.
..Job offering are available. Until now game planner are also the director and company seniors, which mean they don't take entry-level applicant. But now, the need for planner is growing, and they started to take new fresh graduate. Thats what they said, for me honestly, unless you can think something that no one have ever thought before, you won't stand a chance at all.
..Definitely need a really really really high Japanese proficiency.
-Music
..Game Creator course doesn't offer this, they are offered on their own.
..No idea about this.
Usually the longer the course are the better they are.
I don`t know very much how each of the gaming related courses can offer, since I don`t have anithing of the sort here and I`m having some troubles finding information :X
It's easier if your are here in Japan in the flesh. Well you need to make up your mind on either to go to Japan or US tho.
And for game creator course, no need to concern on "how good the schools are", "are the school are the top ranking school" etc, those question doesn't really matter honestly. Every school are basically the same. They will teach you the basic stuff, how to create a game properly, and how to create a game as a team (which you need when you start working). The only thing that matters are you willing to go the extra mile to make a good game, to learn the new technology, to think of a new programming technique etc. Game Creator is all about creativity, meaning its all about you, not the school. Even there's such thing as a best school for Game Creator, and you went there just to be spoon-fed like a lot of those lazy idiot in my class. Trust me, even after you graduate, you will still be the same like before you enter the school, unable to make a game. Even is the school is the best in the world that teaches you everything. Plus with the fast advancing computer technology, what you learn today might be out of date when you graduate in 2-4 years. Entering a school that are great at programming for example, doesn't make you great at programming. Entering top-ranking University/College doesn't mean that you will be able to make top-ranking games when you graduate too.
So no need to burden yourself, over thinking if the University/College is good or not, top ranking or not. Come to Japan, go to the Univ/College and see if the place fits your style, that all that matters since you going to spend years there. Then when you make your choice, go all out. Heck, you don't even need to go to University/College to make a game. The reason why you would want to go to a University/College is just to get a head start from others who don't. In Japan (for entry-level), people who didn't went to Univ/College need to go start as a part-timer even if their skills are god-like but for people who does, they don't need to start as a part-timer. They start as a normal employee (keiyaku or seishain). For foreigners (specifically in my case), entering the univ/college here means having a chance to get a job directly from the company itself, avoiding working at a company in your home country hoping you will get a transfer to Japan someday.
umm yea.. I typed too much.
and smillies make me dizzy. :X
. I only said the Tokyo University of technology for it`s Media Science program, that i thought it would something similar to Grapich Design and Programming... And for the part as for the Universities being too difficult, I`m already used to it xD since Brazil got some universities that have like 100,000 ppl for 30 spots, and some don`t even fill those 30 spots because they only let in those who got more then 90% in the entrance exam :X
