Creating Worlds: A Career in Game Design
If you love video games and have thought about how the games you play might be changedor improved, or if you’ve imagined creating a video game of you rown, you might want to consider a careeras a video game designer. There were a number of steps you can take to determine whether game design is the right field for you and, if it is,to prepare yourself for such a career. Before making the choice, yous hould have some sense of what a video game designer does. Every video game, whether for acon sole, computer,or mobile device, starts with a concept that originates in the mind of a designer.The designer envisions the game’s fundamental elements: the settings, characters, and plots that make each game unique, and is thus a primary creative force behind a video game. Conceptualizing a game is only the beginning of a video game designer’s job, however,no matter how good a concept is, it will never be translated into a video game unless it is communicated effectively to all the other members of the video game development team. A designer must gene rate extensive documentation and explain his orher ideas clearly in order toen sure that the programmers, artists, and other son the team all share the same vision. Likewise,anyone considering a careeras a video game designer must be skilled writers and speakers.In addition,because video game development is a coll aborative effort and because the development of any one game may take months or even years, a designer must bean effective team player as well as detail oriented
[1]A basic understanding of computer programming is essential. [2] Infact, many designers initially begin their pursuits as programmers. [3] Consider taking some general computer science courses as well as courses in artificial intelligence and graphics in order to increase your understanding of the technical challenges involved in developing a video game.[4] Courses in psychology and human behavior may help you develop emphatic collaboration skills, while courses in the humanities, such as in literature and film, should give you the background necessary to develop effective narrative structures. [5] A
designer also needs careful educational preparation. [6] Finally ,because adesigner should understand the business aspects of the video game industry, such as budgeting and marketing,you may want to consider taking some busines scourses. [7] Although demanding and dead line driven, video game design can be a lucrative and rewarding field for people who love gaming and have prepared themselves witht he necessary skills and knowledge.
