Philibob's personal statement
I find the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Games Physicsinteresting and so I have decided to study a course to includethese areas. I am currently studying an A level in InformationTechnology in which I have used Visual Basic in MicrosoftExcel and Access. At home I have used the actionscriptlanguage in Macromedia Flash to build an interactive personalwebsite. I found this aspect of computing very interesting and so I will really enjoy programming in C++ and otherprogramming languages. I am also studying an A level inMathematics that I really enjoy. This would be useful for manyparts of the course such as games physics.
When I’ve played computer games in the past I have alwayswanted to be able to create something similar. Consequently,the computer games programming course stood out as somethingthat I really wanted to do. I have used some software programssuch as Microsoft Visual Basic, Softimage|XSI ESP 3.0,Discreet 3DS MAX 5 (evaluation version) and Maya PersonalLearning Edition. I would like to see people’s enjoyment whenplaying a game, knowing that I took part in producing it.Ihave emailed a few programming companies such as ValveSoftware, id software, Lionsoft, Electronic Arts andCodemasters explaining my situation and asking whether itwould be better to take a games programming course or asoftware development course and learn game specific itemsafterwards or in my spare time. All of the replies advised meto take the computer games programming course as this way Iwould already possess the games programmingknowledge.Undertaking my work experience as a sales assistantin a computer store allowed me to develop skills such asworking in a team and dealing with customers. Although I wasworking with others a lot of the time, I also had to workindependently. This allowed me to use my own initiative andsolve problems. Whilst attending Sutton High Sports College, Ihave done a large amount of voluntary work. During years 10and 11, I helped with the schools open days and sports dayswhere I did scoring. I also took part in after schoolactivities such as playing music. Outside of school I havehelped at “Darby and Joan’s” which is for old aged pensionerswhere they can get together for company, and to talk and playbingo. Year 12 saw me helping with the year 6 induction day, and assisting with scoring on both the school’s open day andthe St. Helens Athletic Finals. Participation in a first aid course gained me a certificate in “Emergency Aid in theworkplace for Appointed Persons.” This involved areas such as resuscitation and control of bleeding.Hobbies and interestsinclude reading books; the genres preferred being science fiction and horror. I also like playing piano of which I amcurrently working towards grade 8, and I have played “The Skaters’ Waltz” at Parr Hall (a concert hall) in Warrington. Ienjoy using my computer for playing games, including playinggames online, and for using the internet to keep up to datewith current news in the computing and gaming world, newhardware and software releases.My interests cover a wide area,which I believe will help me in both academic and social lifeat university.
My aim is to become a computer games programmer developing anytype of game for PC or console, and I believe that auniversity course will help me achieve my goal.