Few Questions About Game Design

[TheeCakee]

Q1: Can I get a degree in Computer Science and then get a job in Game Design with maybe a minor in Game Design? Or is Game Design Degrees become required.

Q2: Is it hard to get a job in the industry?

Q3: I am creative with ideas, but lacking the art skills, major factor?

Q4: Is there a TON of math?

Q5: I can be kind of impatient, why I am waiting till I take Computer Programming in school to learn a language, is that a problem in the industry.

I have been jumping around as to what I want to do.

I have so many ideas, like pretty much I am such a weirdo I typed stories of them that took me hours, showed it to one or two people and thats it. They loved it but yeah.

There are thoughts through my mind of being a game programmer but that requires you to get As in Physics and Math which I don't "though I don't Fail but I got Cs in them last marking period possibly from slacking a bit.

Game journalism sounds amazing, but that industry is VERY hard to get a solid career in.

Same with game design I here.

Other than psychology, I am not sure what I want to engage in.
What do you think I should do?

[tsloper]

1.a. Yes, you can.
1.b. No, it isn't.
2. Yes.
3. It is, if you want to be a game artist. But there are other game jobs besides game art jobs. Have you read any information about game jobs? Have you read any of my FAQs?
4. There is, if you want to be a programmer.
5. Impatience is a problem, period. Get beyond it.
6. I think you should slow down, study, explore, and think.

[Jtspring]

My situation sounds similar. I got an Associates in Computer Science (with programing focus), and I'm finishing my Bachelors of Business Administration. I've been gaming all my life, but hadn't considered it as a career until PAX this year, like two weeks ago.

I was even building a game. Started last year.

Really when it comes right down to it producing something puts you head and shoulders above any other candidate. Just go out and make something. If you are passionate about games you should have a billion ideas about games to make. Make a CCG, or a Table Top RPG, or a computer game.

Start with a game concept that can be implemented easily. One or two of those billion ideas. Or start building a team of people who can fill in your lacking skills.

Tell you what, follow my project at www.zorts.net I'm in the process of 'just doing it'. Maybe I crash and burn, maybe I burn brightly. I have no idea. Watch what I do and learn something from me. I learned a ton from Scott MacMillan at his PAX panel "Death of an Indie Game Studio". He did a post mortem on a company that he started which collapsed.

[ryan.george]

I have so many ideas, like pretty much I am such a weirdo I typed stories of them that took me hours, showed it to one or two people and thats it. They loved it but yeah.

Everybody has ideas. Don't confuse writing stories with game design.

As far as getting a job in the industry, it's as hard as you let it be. If you refuse to better yourself you'll have a hard time. Realize where your weaknesses lie and improve on them.

Oh, and read books. Read as many books as you can.

[Rat King]

Originally Posted by ryan.george

Everybody has ideas. Don't confuse writing stories with game design.

As far as getting a job in the industry, it's as hard as you let it be. If you refuse to better yourself you'll have a hard time. Realize where your weaknesses lie and improve on them.

Oh, and read books. Read as many books as you can.

This. So many truths.

I know a lot of people who want to be game designers while all they actually have is ONE idea that's not as much an idea as it is a story or a particular setting.

Other than that -- communication is an essential part of working in the industry. That's true for any team-based creative process.

[Rat King]

Originally Posted by owltopclip01

Hi,

I'm newbie here. It's my wish to design a game. Does anyone give me some advice on this?

Start small

Simply create something easy. You could make an easy boardgame with differently colored squares and a die.

If you land on a green square X happens. If you land on a red square Y happens.

Go nuts!

Read up on the subject

Do you know what it means to 'design a game'?

Oh, and watch this: Extra Credits - 'So you want to be a game designer?'

It doesn't have a lot of answers, but it's a good watch nonetheless.

I also recommend the book The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses.

And if you want to become a game designer:

CREATE GAMES!

This can't be stressed enough. Learning by doing.

Every game is special and there's not a single 'step-by-step' solution for designing games.

You want to create digital games?

Check out Multimedia Fusion 2 or Unity Game Engine.

There are some great tutorials over at 3Dbuzz.com that are totally free. All you have to do is sign up.

I hope this helped, at least a little bit!