Level Design with asset creation, functional niche to fill?

[cmf0106]

Is having a level designer that is both fluent level design and modeling world assets a viable niche to fill within the industry?

[Zooch]

There's no real "niche" that I've found in this industry unless you're only applying to very large companies. Blizzard has very specialized, "niche-like" full-time jobs that require specific skills. Smaller companies expect you to have a solid foundation of how to design games and a much more competent education in a general field (say modeling/texturing). They expect you to be able to make a box, but also know that the box should go on the ground or the table, depending on what makes sense.

The designers I work with know a little modeling and texturing and a lot of programming. It could easily be the other way around.

The idea that all your favorite game development companies are going to say "ah crap we don't need designers that know how to model" is way off. They will be saying "okay you know how to design, we can see that (you're showing them that right?!?). Is there anything else that you can do to sweeten the deal?"

Be it art, programming, animation, sound, particles, lighting, whatever.

[cmf0106]

Zooch,

Many thanks for your reply. I have seen a handful of level designer postings where the job requires the individual to model and or texture some of the world assets.

I understand that the majority of asset creation for the game world will fall on the shoulders of the environmental artists; however, there does seem to be a need for level designers that are specialized in modeling and or scripting.

But just to reiterate a level designer who does some modeling (not just placeholder art) is where I would like to be. If this is not a viable position to fill within the game industry then I have more soul searching to do.

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by cmf0106

But just to reiterate a level designer who does some modeling (not just placeholder art) is where I would like to be. If this is not a viable position to fill within the game industry then I have more soul searching to do.

Stop worrying about whether it's a viable niche. Just go for it.

[Architect]

I guess it all depends on the job you're applying for; every team will have a different requirement.