Who is a Video Game Designer?
A Video Game Designer is someone who utilizes several artistic talents, as well as finely-honed technical skills. Game Designers merge creativity, technical skills and a passion for gaming to create cutting. Video Game Designers plan the stories, create the graphics, test the game to work out any bugs, and help to produce the final product.
What does the Video Game Designer do?
Video Game Designers often work as part of a team to create video games.
They come up with the games, concepts, characters, setting, story and game play.
Designers must work with the artists and programmers to create the scripting language and artistic vision of the game.
Video game designers must create all of the dimensions that a user encounters when playing the game.
A video game begins with a concept. A proposal is drafted by a team of game designers, who address important details such as target audience, requirements, deadlines and budgets.
Video game designers make the concept of gameplay and layout come alive, often through experimentation with several themes and genres, as well as developments and improvements on existing games.
After developing the idea and concept of the story, they need to create a system that responds to every possible action a user could take during the course of the game.
This can include:
Plots and storylines
Characters
Maps, scenarios and difficulties
Methods for winning and losing the game
User interface creation
All this is created through computer software in which the designer will input computer scripting, which is then processed by the software to generate commands, events, objects and characters that players interact with.
Types of Video Game Designers
● Lead Designer- The Lead Designer is an overseer to projects that are being created and assures that the overall vision embraces the game subject to be portrayed. Lead Designer work closely with others on the team by verifying their work, correcting programming as needed and sharing your knowledge with others.
● Game Writers- Game Writers write the narratives needed in a video game design to lend interest to the overall mission of the game and to support the storyline.
● System Designers-They are responsible for creating one specific system of the game. They are asked to create a specific character and their personification or perhaps a fight scene is required or a series of spells are to be cast.
● Level Designer- They create the level-to-level excitement that the game playing consumer craves and enjoys, not to mention, they keep it challenging.
● Technical Designers-They do an extensive amount of Programming, in addition to designing. They are an integral part of allowing the game to run smoothly. A knowledge of statistics and probability is required as well as programming languages.
● Sound Designer-In this job, you must be familiar with hardware, software and audio technology to create the mood of the game while matching the sentiment with the game level or theme.
● User Interface Designers- Test games to assure that the player and the game is connecting with each other. The ease of use is important to the player. The UI Designer makes sure the game is communicating accordingly with the player and giving them feedback to ensure fun and excitement.
●Design Director- This position should be your ultimate career goal. This promotion commonly requires ten or more years of experience in the industry. With this prestigious title, you will be responsible for all levels of the creative and actualizing process to get a new and anticipated gaming product to the consumer.
What is the workplace of a Video Game Designer like?
Game designers typically work for gaming companies such as Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, etc. They typically work in an office or studio-like setting amongst other designers and programmers. This environment can get very stressful, especially when one is dealing with a looming deadline, or dealing with a server crash.
Knowledge Areas That Need to Be Acquired
Engineering and Technology
Computers and Electronics
Design
Arts and Humanities
English Language
Communications
Multimedia
Math and Science
Psychology
Skills
Basic Skills
Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
Reading work related information
Problem Solving
Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
People and Technology Systems
Thinking about pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
Technology Skills
You might use software like this on the job:
Development Environment Software
C
Microsoft High Level Shader Language HLSL
Graphics or Photo Imaging Software
Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
Microsoft Visio
Object or component-oriented development software
C++
Objective C
Abilities
Verbal
Communicate by speaking
Listen and understand what people say
Ideas and Logic
Create new and original ideas
Come up with lots of ideas
Attention
Pay attention to something without being distracted.
Detailed Work Activities
Devise the missions, challenges and puzzles that will be encountered in game play.
Create narrative feature, such as story-lines, role-play mechanics and character bios.
Conduct periodic design reviews throughout the video game development timeline
Collaborate with artists and sound engineers to achieve the desired audio/visual style.
Plan games using screenshot mockups, gameplay flowcharts and visual devices.
Maintain design level documentation, including mechanics, guidelines and mission outlines.
Work closely with game programmers and artists to ensure that the design is being followed.
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include creating, designing, and making your own rules.
They do well in jobs that need:
Innovation
Attention to detail
Initiative
Analytical Thinking
Cooperation
Adaptability/Flexibility
Work Styles
Artistic vision
A passion for video games
Story-telling abilities
Work Values
Independence
Achievement
Working Conditions
Education
Bachelor in Game art and design
Bachelor in Game software and development
Bachelor in Game Design and Development
Master’s degree in Game Design
Job Outlook
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
A big reason for the increased demand in this field is that consumers continue to expect more realistic and complex video games, particularly in the category of role-playing games.
In India, the joining salaries are around Rs.3-4 lakh per annum.
Average Video Game Designer Salary in India is Rs.5, 03,199
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How hard is video game design?
It’s challenging and also rewarding. Designing games is not the same as playing them- designing takes hard work and time.
2.What programming languages do I need to know for game design?
Java and C++ are common choices. These programming languages are a good starting point for many aspiring game designers.
3.What education is required to become a video game designer?
Employers require a bachelor’s degree in video game design or computer science, a high school diploma is the minimum requirement.
4.Is being a game designer worth it?
A career in game designing can be worth it if that’s what you enjoy doing.
5.Is Games design a good career?
The demand is high. However, like any career, a game design and development careersare only a good choice if you have passion for it and value the output you are creating.