In the fourth of the Train2Game blog student interviews, we talk to Train2Game Artist & Animator Daniel Jackson (AKA MrGrey on the Train2Game forum) He tells us why he decided to take a Train2Game course, a bit about himself and how he feels about the Train2Game forum.

Train2Game blog: Hi Daniel, why did you choose to study with Train2Game?

Train2Game Artist Daniel: I looked around for a while but kept finding courses that asked for over £20,000.  I saw an advertisement in the back of a magazine for Train2Game which made me look it up on the internet. I have looked at other distance learning courses before but never found one that didn’t ask for an insane amount of money for the work to be sent to you. After doing the research I decided to contact Train2Game for more information and it went from there.

Train2Game blog: Which Train2Game course did you decide to take and why?

Train2Game Artist Daniel: This has been a bit of a pipe dream for me for many years but never in a million years did I think I would be acting on it. I made my first animation on the trusty Amiga 1200, it had spaceships and buildings and took an entire night and most of the morning to render 30 seconds as it was one of the first type of 3d animations although very basic 3D. I originally started out on the Train2Game Game Designer course, I wanted to be involved in games development in any way I could. However, once the Train2Game Artist & Animation course became available, I immediately switched as this is what I wanted to do from the beginning.

Train2Game blog: What were you doing before you started your Train2Game course?

Train2Game Artist Daniel: Dreaming of either being a games developer or being Steven Spielberg! I was – and I’m still doing – my day job with little spurts of gaming and arty stuff in between. Messing about with computers in any way shape or form was just something I would do with my spare time. It’s taken me nearly 20 years to actually do something that I want to do and not something that I have to do! It’s a big step.

Train2Game blog: How are you finding balancing the Train2Game course with the rest of your life?

Train2Game Artist Daniel: It can be hard sometimes, especially if you’re working a fulltime job and unfortunately my job requires me to bring my work home with me from time to time which is a bit of a pain. I’ve recently freed up some extra time for Train2Game so I have a new focus to get on with the work that matters to me. For me doing the coursework is not a chore it’s a pleasure.

Train2Game blog: What has been your favourite part of the Train2Game course so far?

The highlight for me was when I realised that I’m actually doing something that I have dreamt about most of my life!

The thought that I was actually physically going towards actual involvement in making games was life changing and I can only hope that it continues. Meeting the people that are on the Train2Game forum is another. I’ve been on other forums before but none as close and friendly as the Train2Game forum. It’s a very welcoming place and I have met many interesting people who I enjoy chatting to and enjoy interacting with.

I’m so excited about seeing the Train2Game students develop and gain more experience as they go on, it gives me a little tingle knowing that someday I’ll hopefully be a part of a team that started out as a concept on Train2Game forum I feel so proud to be a part of it.

You can see the previous Train2Game blog interview with Games Artist & Animator here. You can also check out more Train2Game student interviews on the Thoughts of Train2Game blog