Watching the Ninty conference a while ago started off so great, then sucks the life out of you until it leaves with a wimper. Ubisoft definitely won E3
Sure if you want to put so much effort into it. Since I'm first year, we aren't going to be heavily graded on texturing (it has to look good to an extent, but not perfect). Texture Mapping in Second Year though? *gulp*
It depends on how far you go. My first thing I texture mapped the front looked good... but the back was a mess But when you have to animate it has to be seamless Good luck though. The best advice I can give is don't leave lighting to the last second. Good lighting can make even the crappiest texturing look good ^^