[In this article, 100 Rogues developer Keith Burgun offers some some tips on giving and receiving criticism when working in game development.]

Obviously, we all want to get along with those we work with. Video game development can be such a grueling, long, complicated and ever-changing process, that the last thing we need while developing one is for anybody to feel unhappy about their role in that process. Even if everyone's having a blast and feeling great, it's rough, we need to make sure not to step on toes and allow personal problems to be a major obstacle. In some cases, personal relations can break down so much that a project can be delayed or canceled.

So we don't want to step on each other's toes. Normally, that wouldn't be too much of a problem. However, as game developers who are working with a team of peers, we're almost constantly in a position where we need to give our opinions about something. Game designers have to tell programmers, "No, the jump physics still aren't right, even though it was your fourth try." Art directors have to tell other artists working under them that a 3D model's proportions aren't consistent with the art style, or even that it's simply not up to snuff. Everyone in the team, regardless of role, has to be able to give his or her opinion about how the project is going. And most of the time, when one person is giving this opinion, they end up rejecting someone else's work.

The answer is certainly not to avoid giving those opinions -- "if you see something, say something," as the subway anti-terrorism motto goes. Obviously, if we don't speak up when we see a problem, that problem very well may get shipped and affect the game's quality, reception, and legacy. Opinions are of great importance -- we just have to learn how to give them, and how to take them, to become a stronger team.

First off, know that giving and taking criticism is a skill that must be developed. Besides being an independent game developer for many years, I also went to music school for composition. A large part of the program was bringing in music I had composed, and having people simply tear it apart. After a few years of this kind of criticism, you get used to it, and realize that it's not the end of the world if someone dislikes, or even hates your work. For all of us, it will get easier the more we do it.

There's almost no situation in which a dissenting opinion does not lead to a discussion (although it's a great idea to challenge someone when they agree with you. Play devil's advocate!), and if you've studied debate at all, many of the techniques you learned will be of great use when exchanging opinions.