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Getting into Video Game Design

Becoming a video game designer

If you love video games and are savvy with technology, coding, and design, you might make a great video game designer. Video game design is ever-evolving as games become larger and more complex, demanding designers who are at the top of their game. Do you have what it takes to become a video game designer? Read on to learn more about the industry, what they do, and how you can get started as a video game designer.

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WHAT IS VIDEO GAME DESIGN?

A lot is involved with video game design, including art, music, coding, user experience, and game mechanics.

The video game designer(s) will create an entire world where the game will be centered. They develop the landscape including the structure, rules, the way the story flows, and each detail in between. While they create the front-end for players enjoy, it is the backend labor that makes the video game what it is. Often, it’s a group process. But how large the group depends on how large the company is.

With the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and UX, there are many ways in which a video game designer's career can take off. Let's take a closer look!

WHAT GAME DESIGNERS DO

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Game designers are highly creative, developing everything from AAA titles to indie games. Their job is to take the project's overall idea, and develop it into a fully-fledged game for the players to get lost in.

Game designers are also partially responsible for coding, testing, coordinating, and sometimes developing the video games. So, in a nutshell, video game designers plan, create, and design the finished product. However, their role may vary a bit depending on the size of the developer. Of course, the big places have bigger budgets, which mean larger teams.

SOFT SKILLS PERFECT FOR GAME DESIGNERS

No matter how large or small your company is, successfully breaking into the world of video game design is highly competitive. There are some soft skills that can make you stand out in the market. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Creativity: Of course, video game designers need to be creative — they take an idea and evolve it into a digital universe. The more creativity and artistic vision you bring to the table, the more success you are likely to see throughout your career.
  • Passion: To be an asset to a game developing team, you should have a passion for not only actual video games, but for the entire creative process behind them, as well.
  • Problem Solving: If you can solve problems in a productive and efficient way, you are likely to thrive in the world of video game design.
  • Communication: Working on a team always requires great communication skills. However, communication is also important to conveying important plot and gameplay details to your players so they understand the game and want to continue playing.

IS IT A GOOD CAREER?

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Becoming a video game designer can be a great career — especially for the already passionate gamer. While the story telling, coding, design, and troubleshooting can be demanding, if it is something you love, it can be rewarding.

Another benefit of working in the gaming industry is that it is constantly evolving. You will find your work continuing to shift to new available software, techniques, and practices. Could you even be the one in the industry to revolutionize new processes?

GETTING INTO VIDEO GAME DESIGN

Getting a degree is important if you want to go into video game design. While there are some schools offering specialty degrees in video game design, many do not. However, there are other, more common degrees, that are more readily available at schools nationwide. So, even if you do not earn a degree specifically in video game design, these degrees can prepare you for the industry, as well.

Other related degrees you can get to become a video game designer are:

  • Computer science
  • Computer engineering
  • Computer programming
  • UI/UX design
  • Multimedia design
  • Graphic design
  • And more

As the field gets increasingly competitive, most studios will be looking to hire those with at least bachelor's degrees. Along with your degree, be sure to build a strong portfolio throughout your college years to help you stand out in the job market. You may also be able to showcase work that you have completed for internships. Having an impressive and diverse portfolio can give recent college graduates an excellent head start.

DESIGNER VS. DEVELOPER

Sometimes video game designers act as developers as well. In other instances, developers and designers work closely together to produce a compelling and high-quality product.

Designers and developers do typically handle different responsibilities. Game designers have a more creative position, focusing on the production of a game's aesthetics, appearance, landscape, gameplay, and more. Developers, on the other hand, work on the more technical aspects of creating these aesthetics. Not only do they oversee the backend that helps bring designers' visions to life, they often work on coding and troubleshooting, as well.

DIFFERENT GAME DESIGN CAREERS

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There are other careers and industries related to video game design. These include:

  • Animator: The animator creates the movement and behavior of all characters and elements in the game. They play a huge part in bringing the game's vision to life.
  • Audio Developer: The game's music and sound effects are all generated by the audio producer. Their decisions will affect the realism, ambiance, and overall tone of the game.
  • Assistant Producer: Managing the ongoing production and deadlines are a part of the assistant producer's job. They are also involved in the game's marketing strategy upon its release date.
  • Creative Director: A creative director will oversee the entire feeling and atmosphere of the video game. They will also make any needed budgeting decisions.
  • DevOps: The game's entire infrastructure is developed by the DevOps team. They automate and streamline different tools and servers to support the game's backend.
  • Level Editor: In working as a level editor, you will be responsible for defining and crafting the interactive sectors for each level of the game.
  • Copywriter: Producing the script, character dialogues, and "story" of the video game are a copywriter's primary responsibilities in the gaming field.
  • Tester: Game testers work at the developmental stage to debug, troubleshoot, and help the company release a game of the highest-quality possible.

ONLINE GAME MAKING TOOLS

While, in school you will likely have the opportunity to build your portfolio, there are some game making tools available online. Listed below are a few that are recommended by many leading game designers. Use these platforms to add to your portfolio and practice your skills.

  • Unreal Engine: This powerful platform not only allows a team to create games, but it also houses learning videos to teach beginners the ‘how tos’ of this platform.
  • MAYA: MAYA has in-demand instructional videos, combined with a powerful designing platform.
  • Cocos Acts as an efficient, cross-platform, all-in-one 3D development engine.
  • Unity: A full-service platform to create, and even monetize your games.
  • Gamemaker Studio By YoYo Games: Allows you to make 2D games using the drag and drop method with a user-friendly interface.
  • Eclipse: Another open source tool for collaborative projects.
  • Flambe: HTML, Flash, iOS, and Android games can be created here.
  • Buildbox: No coding experience? No problem. You can still make video games for devices using Buildbox.
  • GameSalad: Create games for devices that are fully supported by most app stores.
  • Construct 2: Build 2D games with no coding!

VIDEO GAME DESIGNER SALARY

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the 2022 average salary for video game designers was $111,130, with the top 10 percent making $174,140. As with any job, the more experience you receive, the higher your earning potential becomes.

JOB OUTLOOK FOR VIDEO GAME DESIGNERS

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports that demand for video game designers is expected to increase 5 percent by 2031, which is as fast as the national average of all occupations.