How to Become a Game Designer

MiyukiJane · 04-18-2007, 03:16 PM

Also, Simon found this and posted it to GameSetWatch:

How to Be a Game Designer:

Quote:

There is no precise set of requirements for becoming a game designer. Most designers come from different fields of computer arts, programming or directly out of QA and I could totally see people from science or psychology fields orienting themselves in the video game field. In fact, the more diverse are your knowledges, the better.

(My emphasis). I hear that point from game designers again and again. Good ideas come from cross-pollinating intellectual interests. The best designers I know - and just reading their blogs will reveal this - are actively curious, well-read, pursue hobbies, and participate in a number of different disciplines.

I don't know that you can find a program in a school that will teach you this, unless it's a liberal arts education...

shamaneh · 04-19-2007, 06:48 AM

I agree that you cannot find a program in a school that can teach you to be curious. It is not something you can teach. Either you are curious or you are not. Unfortunately, a large portion of students who want to be 'game designers' are just fanboys (or girls). I teach in a Game Art & Design program, and I work very hard on getting the Designers into the right headspace. It's rare that I have some that actually get it.

A word for people looking to be designers and going to school for it. EVERYTHING you learn is critically important to you. You may not like drawing, you may not like programming. If you want to design, you need to be able to speak with people who will be making your game (artists and coders), understand limitations, and be constantly be curious.

HagNasty · 04-23-2007, 09:37 AM

I have looked into this a bit and though I don't have a lot of experience in the field I have spoken to people who do. The general consensus is that to become a game designer you should start out as a level designer. Basically because you have to work with writers, manage assets, write scripts, and A LOT of naming conventions. At least thats what I'm told by reps at both Ubisoft Montreal and Rockstar Toronto.

With that in mind I highly suggest that people who want to get into game design should take level design as a logical first step.

Silent Enigma · 04-23-2007, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shamaneh

I agree that you cannot find a program in a school that can teach you to be curious. It is not something you can teach. Either you are curious or you are not. Unfortunately, a large portion of students who want to be 'game designers' are just fanboys (or girls). I teach in a Game Art & Design program, and I work very hard on getting the Designers into the right headspace. It's rare that I have some that actually get it.

A word for people looking to be designers and going to school for it. EVERYTHING you learn is critically important to you. You may not like drawing, you may not like programming. If you want to design, you need to be able to speak with people who will be making your game (artists and coders), understand limitations, and be constantly be curious.

I seriously agree with that statement, being a curious individual myself. During school (and even now) I've always delved into how programmers program, artists draw, and even how writers come up with ideas. From my experience trying to get that title, I've learned that you *must* be able to socialize, *must* be able to motivate, etc etc so that you can synchronize the team with the ideas your trying to convey.

jnoble · 04-24-2007, 08:47 AM

It's nice to find many other liberal arts educated people on here interested in the industry. I think there really is value in having diverse interests working on any project, whether that's game development or otherwise. Being interested in things like classical lit, myth and psychology I see the intersections with these fields of interest in almost every successful game out there.

Case and point: there was a recent article on myth theory and game design on gamasutra. I don't think understanding how mythic structure works is entirely necessary for a designer, but if you read Joseph Campbell or Northrop Frye you are going to have a better grasp of what the characters' actions mean to the player, how both stories and gameplay still work with the same archetypal narratives as other media and literature.

Dale · 05-02-2007, 04:14 AM

I'd like to point out that if you're serious on design, maybe look at joining some mod groups.

Yes, mock and snicker, but consider this:
As a designer on a mod team, you have to deal with real people across different streams (coding, art, writers, etc) as well as a team leader (or lead yourself). As a designer on a mod group you'll also find yourself jumping in to help write some scripts, or code, or even come up with some artwork.

Hey, you might not produce the best code or art or writing, but you get exposure to how it all ties in to a design. As a designer, you can play in every field, without having to specialise. Perfect for the curious ones, like me.

Dale

shadow_hearts · 07-12-2007, 06:42 AM

im from india.i did some research and i came across only a couple of institutes that offer game developmemt and game designing degree and diploma.since i am in my final year of bcom,i wanna pursue the 1yr diploma in game designing.im very serious about workin in the game industry,as i play games as a passion and i analyse them too at the same time.please teel me if it will be helpful if i do this 1yr diploma instead of the 3yr degree.sorry 4 bein lazy!!!!

shadow_hearts · 07-12-2007, 06:47 AM

as i cant afford to study abroad right now i 'll have to take up that course,i.e. in india...please im more than just serious about entering game industry....and please tell if this diploma will be helpful if i wanna apply directly 4 a job in the usa..im very talented when it comes to perceiving ideas..i do some documentation too..please respond...