Game Institute... Interesting

Hello.

I got a link to this site Game Programming, Video Game Design, Video Game Programming now has anyone used it?
Since I'm only in 10th grade, (that's the same as high school, right?) I have loads of time, since I don't do homework (woohoo to me!) So I thought I might survive one of these courses...

I see that it's only high school maths, and I believe that's where I am right now, and soon done with (Sin, Cos, Tan - and the opposites, sin-1, ect.) and all that...
Also, I havn't checked if I have to pay for it, but I guess I do... Just if anyone is 100% sure, could you tell me?

Also, if anyone has gone through that course, could you tell me the level of C++ knowledge they demand?

Thanks in advance!

Ok, I found a very nice package I'm interested in...

C++ Game Programming, C++ Programming Basics, Introduction To C++ Programming

AND

Game Programming In C++, C++ Video Game Programming, Advanced C++ Programming

Also, if I buy both I get them for $200 ...
I believe this should get me a kinda wide knowledge of C++ and Game Development, which I love, and want to base my future on, so what ya think? Too expensive for what it offers?

You can't beat $200...I just spend $110 on 4 friggin' books and I thought that was a deal (and $80 just to apply at a university). Does that include materials, etc? LX

Go for it. If it sucks, you can always let us know ;)

Yeah, I'm really interested in this... The time span is 20 weeks for both (10 weeks each) and you have Time Blocks, which makes YOU arrange your classes instead of the school...
Also, I'll be having C++ programming at second year of collage, and with this, it'll be so easy, I won't even have to meet up at class xP ( still, if I don't meet up I get kicked out -.- )

Also, I love game programming, and this will really help me make games while knowing what I'm doing, instead of making games and not know what the hell you're doing, just learn from the mistakes... And start over a couple of times too xP

I'm thinking about it now and I don't even play games...

I love game development o.o
Still, this course teaches you the fundamentals of C++ too!

I think Imma request shipping of the physical book and CDs too... then the price will be about $250, since I'm in such a hard country to deliver to -.-

No physical address or contact details other than an email address.....

AVOID AVOID AVOID

But before you make your decision, do your homework:

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...&oq=game+insti

Take note of:
http://www.gamedev.net/community/for...opic_id=417462
especially

what you mean?

If you want to get shipped the physical book, you have to give them your street address and such...

EDIT: Also, the internet is giving them good words... I think Imma take this course

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Akkernight

what you mean?

If you want to get shipped the physical book, you have to give them your street address and such...

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I mean what happens if YOU want to contact them? If they are a business (and are taking your money) then they really should have a physical address, even if it is just an office, and a phone number.

Personally I would not be happy to send my very real cash to a virtual entity without any comeback. What happens if something goes wrong, or the course(s) are not what you expected? You don't judge a company on what they do right, you judge them on how they act when something goes wrong and this one is either so bloody perfect that nothing ever goes wrong or they have no contingencies in place.

Maybe when you sign up they give you all this information and terms and conditions...

Anyhoo, in the UK any company that operates like this must have a physical address listed and contact details as well as what their refunds/returns policies are (obviously that's not the same everywhere). I don't give my money to any online company that I can't roll up to the door of.

Quote:

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EDIT: Also, the internet is giving them good words... I think Imma take this course

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It also says that all the stuff they teach you there you can get/learn elsewhere. But it's your cash when it comes down to it.

Yes, you CAN learn everything of the internet for free, still you don't get as motivated and all your resources there for you...

https://secure.gameinstitute.com/agreement.php there's the agreement...

And you're right, no address is available... Still, if EA workers have gone through that, I don't think it's a scam, especially not when google finds no complaints...

EDIT: ok, I got it wrong, EA worker something just recommended it... That can be scammed tho, still if Google finds nothing, it doesn't exist!

I have a really old game programming book from the early 90's from the 3 faculty members listed up front. The early chapters explain how to interface with dos, and finally go on to writing your own blitters heh. Tricks of the game programming gurus I believe it was called. Overall it was a good book and the authors seemed knowledgable. 200 bucks isn't like it would be a lifetime of money to get screwed out of either.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by valaris

200 bucks isn't like it would be a lifetime of money to get screwed out of either.

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Yeah, but the OP's parent's may never trust his judgement again ;)

I guess it could be a scam, but I think more likely the reason for a lack of physical address and phone is to cut costs and streamline the operation. Who's gonna answer the phone? Your $200 package would probably be $500. Maybe they are dynamic people with dynamic methodologies, etc. Of course, the web site is impressive, and they are not gonna say somewhere "joe and i have all the tish in bob's garage". Which even if it is, that doesn't make them idiots or scam artists.

And if they were, I bet they would think to do a job of putting up an address and a phone line with a message, etc. So if the address was in a foriegn city? Any city? So what -- if you think the FBI is gonna go crazy over a $200 scam you're wrong.

Ok, I'm enrolled! :D

I got an email from my teacher, everything looks legit and working so far ^^

This is actually quite promising :O the teacher sends you an email, saying he'll be your teacher for the specific course, tells you a bit about the course and that programming might be hard sometimes but not impossible. Then you get 3 days free of your Time Block to learn the enviorment, like the website and all that... They have weekly live chat 'meetings', really people should seriously consider these tutorials o.o