COMPONENTS OFVIDEO GAME

DESIGN

GERARDO ROBINSONTheArtCareerProject.com

Just like producing a movie, video game design involves many different parts coming

together

These include... graphics, sound, plotlines,

obstacles, written content, programming and

sometimes even actors

Let’s take a look at the role of the generalist first,

to give you an idea of what that career path might look like

THEGENERALIST

[OR GAME DESIGNER]

This is an umbrella title that could refer to many of the

specialists we will talk about later on

there are team members that will wear many different hats

IN THAT CASE, THIS IS THE MOST APPROPRIATE TITLE

Since many game design companies are small

CreativityExperience

Passion for designTechnical knowledge in 3D modeling

software and understanding of hardware tech

REQUIRED SKILLS

THIS IS NOT AN ENTRY LEVEL TITLE

so don’t expect to become a gamedesigner right out of college!

While not necessarily required, studying the various subjects of game design will give you a GREAT ADVANTAGE and an IMPORTANT HEAD START in this career

EDUCATION

Aside from knowing the technology, in order to be successful, you will need to have a well-rounded

understanding of the following subjects:

And much more!

FINEART

HUMAN-ITIES

SOCIO-LOGY

PSYCH-OLOGYCOMPUTER

SCIENCE

As you can see, becoming a video game generalist is ahighly competitive careerthat requires one to train and master many different areas of video game design

which presents the question:If you love a specific area in game design, why not make your passion your specialty?

Many designers prefer to specialize in a specific area of video game design as each component is complex and requires a particular skillset

WE HAVE BROKEN THESE SPECIALITIES IN TO 7 CATEGORIES

#2 #3Storyline Characters

#4

#1

Look & Feel

GameWorld

#5Content

#6Sound

#7Quality Assurance

#1 GAME WORLD

World DesignerEnvironment DesignerMulti-Player DesignerOnline Game Designer

Concept ArtistCreative Director

Look & Feel

POSITIONS

World Designer

Those who work in the category of the “Game World” work on the game as a wholeEnvisioning everything that has to do with the design

Positions in this category are mainly

LEAD AND SENIOR LEVEL as they oversee everything from

ideation, to design, to implementation

World Designers imagine and create the world of a game

This can include maps and layouts,

the look and feel of the game, and

general guidelines for puzzles and

missions

SkillsHigh level of creativity and some programming

SkillsEnvironment

DesignerAlt. title: Environment Modeler

Designs the background and scenery of the game

This includes architecture and

landscapes as well as routes and essential items for the plotline

Experience: 2+ years

Skills: 2D sketching, 3D software, architecture, fine arts, history

Multi-playerDesigner

Works on creating player-vs-player or collaborative gamesspecifically ensuring social interaction

Experience:5+ years (probably more)

Skills:Programming and multiplayer systems, design packages, quality assurance, communications skills, works well in a team

Online Game Designer

Works on games that are played live onlineThis is a project-lead position and involves design and innovation as well as follow-up after the game is launched

Experience:3+ years in a previous project lead role

Skills:Proficiency in combat and system mechanics design, player retention, monetization techniques for virtual games, and communication skills

Concept Artist

Develops illustrations of characters, weapons, environments and other game elements from the ideas proposed by the creative team

Concept artists begin with a few sketch proposals, later refining the drawings into 3D models

Experience:at least 2 “shipped titles” (or successful, separate titles, game designs) in other positions

Skills:drawing, painting, 3D modeling, listening, color, anatomy, proportion

CreativeDirector

This is the equivalent of a film producer, but for video game designCreative Directors oversee the whole production process, starting from the idea, to managing the teams, and making decisions on every aspect of the production

Experience:10+ years

Skills:Management, financial analytics, communication, thorough understanding of game production and technologies used

#2 STORYLINE

Level DesignerMission Designer

POSITIONS

Here, we get down to the more detailed aspects in game designThe storyline, or the plotline, is the focus of what will happen during the game. It includes all of the different options, routes and alternatives

LevelDesigner

Designs the different levels of a game and everything that happens during itMost level designers are assigned just one or two levels in a game

Experience:Level Designer: 1+ years (entry-level) Lead Level Designer: 3-5 years

Skills:Sketching, 3D tools, architecture/industrial design, attention to detail, and organization and technologies used

Mission Designer

The hero in any story needs a reason to fight (or complete levels in this case)Mission Designers create the concepts for the different “missions” throughout the game

Experience:3+ years

Skills:Creativity, writing, storytelling, understanding of gaming software, problem-solving and can work well in a teamwork

#3 CHARACTERS

Character ArtistCombat Systems Designer

AnimatorMotion Capture Artist

Character Rigger

POSITIONS

CharacterArtist

Character Artists start with character concepts to first develop 2D illustrations and then, eventually, create fully functional 3D characters

At large studios, each artist may be responsible for 1 or 2 characters, but those at smaller studios oversee a few at a time

Experience:Character artist: Entry-level Lead character artist: 3+ years

Skills:Artistic ability, 2D illustration, 3D modeling, zoology, and human anatomy

Combat SystemsDesigner

In this position, you will be responsible for weapons creation, fight tactics, and armor creationCombat System Designers adjust the techniques of a player’s enemies to the skills that the hero has

This position is not normally part of the decision-making process but follows the concepts that were envisioned during ideation.

Experience:Strong, relevant portfolio

Skills:Software and scripting language, knowledge of history, military, mythology and current trends in video games

Animator

Animators develop motion so that characters move in a realistic and fluid mannerThey can use either hand keying or motion capture

Experience:Entry level for smaller firms, 2+ years for larger brands

Skills:3D modeling, anatomy, psychology, and movement

Motion Capture Artist

In this position, you will work on recording motion capture - live actors whose movements will later be translated into 3D characters

These recordings are later passed on to the animation team

Character Rigger

Character Riggers create the skeletal framework of a character using special software

They later place main points of move-ment, so when animated, the character looks as realistic as possible

#4 LOOK & FEEL

Cinematic Designer Effects Artist (FX Artist)

POSITIONS

These are the professionals who execute on the overall vision of the game design

Turning ideas into concrete game visuals and effects,

so that a game looks and feels a certain way when you play it

Cinematics Designer

Cinematics Designers integrate animated storytelling within a game;including taking part in developing the script and sounds as well as cutting scenes

Experience: Senior level

Skills: Knowledge of game engines and cinematic tools, ability to work in a team, and storytelling

Effects Artist (FX Artist)

Effects artists create visual effects during gameplay, in cinematic portions of a game or for adsFor example, explosions or the effects of water or wind in the game are the responsibility of effects artists

Experience: 2+ years. Previous positions include Compositor, Rotoscope Artist, or MatchMover Skills: 2D and 3D skills and understanding of physics, mathematics, and scripting languages

#5 CONTENT

Game WriterPOSITIONS

Today’s games are mainly based on a story and game writers create just thatThey write dialogue, come up with scene ideas, and work closely with designers. This job is often a freelance position

Experience:Entry level and up

Skills:Creative writing & script writing

Experience:Entry level and up

Skills:Creative writing & script writing

#6 SOUND

Sound Designer (Audio Lead)POSITIONS

This is a SENIOR LEVEL POSITION

The sound designer works with the creative team to envision what a game will sound like and then oversees every aspect of audio: theme, dialogue, assets, etc.

Experience:3+ years of experience. Previous titles could include: Recording Engineer, Mix Engineer, or Production Sound Mixer

Skills:Audio editing software, sound imagination, and an understanding of current game platforms

#7 QUALITY ASSURANCE

QA Design AnalystGame Tester

POSITIONS

QA Design Analyst

Games in the making encounter many bugs and issues

The Quality Assurance Design Analyst builds test plans for the

game to make sure these are fixed before going out to clients

Experience: 5+ years. Previous titles could include Level Designer or Game Designer

Skills: Defect tracking, test management tools, Agile development process, problem solving, and at-tention to detail

Game Tester

Essentially, you play games and get paid for it!

Sounds like an easy job, but game testers have to follow specific scenarios set out by the QA Depart-

ment and write detailed reports on their experience and any issues they encounter

Experience: Love for gaming is a must! This is the perfect entry-level position to get your foot in the door and get to know people inside the industry

Skills: Familiarity with game formats, excellent writ-ten and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and gaming experience

That was a lot of information to take in and leaves you with

a lot of options to look at!

Take a look at our video game design career page!

WANT TO KEEP LEARNING?

CLICK HERE

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