3 answers
Jayson
Student
4
Questions
Updated
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What does a game design position entail?
I am looking into the game creation world and seeing a lot of titles with game design in them I know mostly what It means but am not 100% sure what they do day to day. and what should I look into doing in order to get a job with that title?
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3 answers
Lenzy Schneider
Game Designer
5
Answers
Ventura, California
Updated
Lenzy’s Answer
Game design covers a wide type jobs depending on the company. Generally the game designer is the one thinking about how and why things work the way they do. How high something jumps, how much damage a weapon does, what is in the treasure chest, how many people are in a room, the items in a skill tree, how much heath you have. Its a fair bit of math, and a lot of creative thinking and problem solving.
If you are playing a game and often stop to think about why something works the way it does, or if you think it could do something better then this is a job for you.
Your day to day can be anything from doing lots of math, putting info into spreadsheets, or working in your game engine to put things in. And also a fair bit of testing the thing you made to make sure it works right.
To get a start in this career I would pay lots a attention to your math courses. You can also start now by looking into Unreal Engine. This is a free program that many companies use and will let you start making things on your own. It may take a bit of looking for tutorials but its a great tool to learn early.
If you are playing a game and often stop to think about why something works the way it does, or if you think it could do something better then this is a job for you.
Your day to day can be anything from doing lots of math, putting info into spreadsheets, or working in your game engine to put things in. And also a fair bit of testing the thing you made to make sure it works right.
To get a start in this career I would pay lots a attention to your math courses. You can also start now by looking into Unreal Engine. This is a free program that many companies use and will let you start making things on your own. It may take a bit of looking for tutorials but its a great tool to learn early.
Hi Lenzy! We're so happy to have you on CareerVillage! Our team noticed an increased interest in all things gaming over the last few months. We appreciate you sharing your experience and expertise in this space and sharing things that our learners may not know about (yet) about the industry!
yoonji KIM, Admin
Rihem Ben Khaled
software engineering student
25
Answers
Sousse, Tunisia
Updated
Rihem’s Answer
A game design position is like being the architect of a fantastical world, where your job is to craft interactive experiences that captivate and immerse players. Here's a unique glimpse into what it entails:
World-Weaver: You're the master storyteller, crafting the game's narrative, lore, and universe. Your words and imagination breathe life into the game world.
Player's Puppeteer: You design the rules of the game, defining how players interact with the virtual realm. Every challenge, choice, and reward is in your hands.
Empathy Engineer: To succeed, you must understand the minds of your players - what excites them, frustrates them, and keeps them engaged. You're an empathetic designer, creating experiences that resonate.
Gameplay Alchemist: You mix ingredients like mechanics, dynamics, and aesthetics to concoct a unique gameplay experience. It's like blending magic spells, each with its own purpose.
Balance Maestro: Achieving the perfect balance is your eternal quest. You harmonize the game's difficulty, pacing, and rewards to keep players enthralled without overwhelming them.
Problem-Solving Sage: You're the ultimate puzzle-solver. Every design challenge is a riddle waiting for your ingenious solutions.
User Experience Shaper: Crafting interfaces and interactions that are intuitive and user-friendly is your craft. You're the player's guide through the labyrinth of the game.
Prototype Enchanter: Before a game takes shape, you conjure rough prototypes and playtest them to see if your vision aligns with the player's reality.
Psychologist of Fun: Understanding player psychology is paramount. You know what makes a game enjoyable, addictive, and ultimately unforgettable.
Collaborative Conductor: Your symphony of creativity involves working closely with artists, programmers, sound designers, and more. You're the conductor, harmonizing their talents.
Adaptive Innovator: The gaming landscape is ever-changing. You must stay ahead, exploring new technologies, platforms, and trends.
Narrative Choreographer: Beyond the game mechanics, you're also the choreographer of stories, characters, and dialogues, creating emotional connections with players.
World-Crafter: Designing levels and environments is like being an architect of dreams. You shape the landscapes players explore.
Quality Assurance Sorcerer: Your critical eye ensures every detail aligns with your vision. You identify and address bugs and gameplay issues.
Feedback Oracle: You're open to feedback from playtesters and players. Their insights help you refine and enhance the gaming experience.
Passion-Driven: Your work isn't just a job; it's a labor of love. Passion for games and storytelling is your driving force.
Innovation Sage: As a game designer, you're not afraid to break conventions, striving to create experiences that redefine the gaming industry.
Legacy Forger: Ultimately, your role leaves a lasting mark on the gaming world. Your creations become a part of the shared cultural experience of millions of players.
In essence, a game design position is the realm where imagination and technology converge, allowing you to craft worlds and experiences that transcend reality and transport players to new dimensions of excitement and wonder.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3763
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
A game design position entails a wide range of responsibilities and tasks related to the creation and development of video games. Game designers are responsible for conceptualizing and designing the overall gameplay experience, including the mechanics, rules, and structure of a game. They work closely with other members of the development team, such as programmers, artists, and writers, to bring their vision to life.
Day-to-day activities in a game design position can vary depending on the stage of development and the specific needs of the project. However, some common tasks include:
1. Conceptualization: Game designers are involved in brainstorming and coming up with ideas for new games or expanding on existing concepts. This involves researching market trends, analyzing player preferences, and identifying potential target audiences.
2. Gameplay Design: Once a concept is chosen, game designers focus on designing the gameplay mechanics and systems that will make up the core experience. This includes defining the rules, controls, objectives, levels, puzzles, and challenges that players will encounter.
3. Prototyping: Game designers often create prototypes or mock-ups of their ideas to test and iterate on the gameplay mechanics. This can involve creating paper prototypes, digital prototypes using game development software, or even building simple playable versions of the game.
4. Documentation: Game designers are responsible for creating detailed design documents that outline all aspects of the game's design. These documents serve as a reference for the development team and provide guidance throughout the production process.
5. Collaboration: Game designers work closely with other members of the development team to ensure that their vision is effectively communicated and implemented. They collaborate with artists to create visual assets, programmers to implement gameplay features, and writers to develop narratives and dialogues.
6. Balancing: Game designers are responsible for fine-tuning the difficulty curve and balancing various aspects of the game to ensure an enjoyable experience for players. This includes adjusting enemy AI, tweaking level design, and refining gameplay mechanics based on playtesting feedback.
7. Playtesting: Game designers actively participate in playtesting sessions to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement. They observe how players interact with the game, collect data, and make necessary adjustments to enhance the overall experience.
8. Iteration: Throughout the development process, game designers continuously iterate on their designs based on feedback from playtesting, team members, and stakeholders. This involves making changes, adding new features, or even reworking entire sections of the game to improve its quality.
To pursue a career in game design, there are several steps you can take:
1. Education: While not always required, obtaining a degree in game design or a related field can provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. Look for programs that offer courses in game design theory, programming, art, storytelling, and project management.
2. Build a Portfolio: Creating a strong portfolio is essential to showcase your skills and creativity to potential employers. Start by working on personal projects or participating in game jams to gain hands-on experience and create playable prototypes.
3. Networking: Attend industry events, join online communities, and connect with professionals in the game development field. Networking can help you learn about job opportunities, gain insights from experienced designers, and potentially secure internships or entry-level positions.
4. Gain Experience: Seek out internships or entry-level positions at game development studios or indie game projects to gain practical experience in the field. This will not only enhance your skills but also provide valuable industry connections.
5. Continued Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in the gaming industry by reading books, articles, and blogs related to game design. Additionally, consider taking online courses or attending workshops to further develop your skills.
In conclusion, a game design position involves various tasks such as conceptualization, gameplay design, prototyping, documentation, collaboration, balancing, playtesting, and iteration. Pursuing a career in game design requires a combination of education, building a portfolio, networking, gaining experience, and continuous learning.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used:
1. Gamasutra - www.gamasutra.com
2. GameCareerGuide - www.gamecareerguide.com
3. International Game Developers Association (IGDA) - www.igda.org
Day-to-day activities in a game design position can vary depending on the stage of development and the specific needs of the project. However, some common tasks include:
1. Conceptualization: Game designers are involved in brainstorming and coming up with ideas for new games or expanding on existing concepts. This involves researching market trends, analyzing player preferences, and identifying potential target audiences.
2. Gameplay Design: Once a concept is chosen, game designers focus on designing the gameplay mechanics and systems that will make up the core experience. This includes defining the rules, controls, objectives, levels, puzzles, and challenges that players will encounter.
3. Prototyping: Game designers often create prototypes or mock-ups of their ideas to test and iterate on the gameplay mechanics. This can involve creating paper prototypes, digital prototypes using game development software, or even building simple playable versions of the game.
4. Documentation: Game designers are responsible for creating detailed design documents that outline all aspects of the game's design. These documents serve as a reference for the development team and provide guidance throughout the production process.
5. Collaboration: Game designers work closely with other members of the development team to ensure that their vision is effectively communicated and implemented. They collaborate with artists to create visual assets, programmers to implement gameplay features, and writers to develop narratives and dialogues.
6. Balancing: Game designers are responsible for fine-tuning the difficulty curve and balancing various aspects of the game to ensure an enjoyable experience for players. This includes adjusting enemy AI, tweaking level design, and refining gameplay mechanics based on playtesting feedback.
7. Playtesting: Game designers actively participate in playtesting sessions to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement. They observe how players interact with the game, collect data, and make necessary adjustments to enhance the overall experience.
8. Iteration: Throughout the development process, game designers continuously iterate on their designs based on feedback from playtesting, team members, and stakeholders. This involves making changes, adding new features, or even reworking entire sections of the game to improve its quality.
To pursue a career in game design, there are several steps you can take:
1. Education: While not always required, obtaining a degree in game design or a related field can provide you with a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. Look for programs that offer courses in game design theory, programming, art, storytelling, and project management.
2. Build a Portfolio: Creating a strong portfolio is essential to showcase your skills and creativity to potential employers. Start by working on personal projects or participating in game jams to gain hands-on experience and create playable prototypes.
3. Networking: Attend industry events, join online communities, and connect with professionals in the game development field. Networking can help you learn about job opportunities, gain insights from experienced designers, and potentially secure internships or entry-level positions.
4. Gain Experience: Seek out internships or entry-level positions at game development studios or indie game projects to gain practical experience in the field. This will not only enhance your skills but also provide valuable industry connections.
5. Continued Learning: Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in the gaming industry by reading books, articles, and blogs related to game design. Additionally, consider taking online courses or attending workshops to further develop your skills.
In conclusion, a game design position involves various tasks such as conceptualization, gameplay design, prototyping, documentation, collaboration, balancing, playtesting, and iteration. Pursuing a career in game design requires a combination of education, building a portfolio, networking, gaining experience, and continuous learning.
Top 3 Authoritative Reference Publications or Domain Names Used:
1. Gamasutra - www.gamasutra.com
2. GameCareerGuide - www.gamecareerguide.com
3. International Game Developers Association (IGDA) - www.igda.org