How to Become a Game Designer

Computers, technology, and a global network of information have all fueled major transformations in our everyday lives, economies, and societies. A plethora of new industries and occupations have seemingly arisen from nowhere; many people now perform vital tasks and provide important services that didn’t exist 20 or 30 years ago.

In the world of entertainment, there may be no better example of this than video games. Once relegated to a primitive two-dimensional status for those with a lot of money, the video game industry has become a multi-billion-dollar industry that caters to hundreds of millions of people.

Because of this growth, game design skills are in high demand. Perhaps you’ve thought about pursuing this career path, but want to know more. If you’re interested in game design as a career, then keep reading to discover what you’ll need to do to make it big.

• What Does a Game Designer Do?

Many people have an idea of what game designers actually do, but it may not be the reality of the situation. Before we move forward, let’s briefly look at the roles and responsibilities of game designers.

There are multiple areas in any video game that will be created or optimized by one or more game designers. This can include any plots and story-lines, character development, world creation and other scenario development, overall game mechanics and goals, and UI development. Additionally, game designers also work on creating and implementing graphics and elements for each scene, world or open area.

For more information on what a game designer does, visit jobdescriptions.net.

• Educational Requirements

Virtually anybody planning on pursuing a new career in game design will need formal education under their belt. A bachelor’s degree in game design is offered by some specialized schools and universities, but many designers also obtain degrees in computer science, software engineering, and other areas of development.

Some colleges and universities also offer extracurricular game design courses that can be used to combine your school knowledge with a bit of real-life experience. From here, you’ll move on to putting that degree to use.

• Internships and Job Opportunities

Many newly-graduated game design aspirants seek out opportunities with one or more major video game developers as interns. This can be the easiest way to obtain valuable experience when fresh out of school.

If you have studied and simultaneously pursued extracurricular development training and/or interned while in school, then jumping straight into a full-time game design position is not uncommon. Many of the best and brightest game designers can find themselves in salaried positions within a couple of months of graduating.

• DIY Design Projects

While pursuing formal game design education – or even while working or interning for a company – you can further enhance your portfolio and resume by working on specific projects of your own.

Many game designers find opportunities in app development and indie game design that allows them to further hone their skills, earn a living and obtain experience outside of the classroom or office. With these opportunities, the sky is limitless: many indie game designers find success in DIY development, creating hit apps and video games of their own.

The pathway to becoming a game designer is relatively straightforward but takes both time and dedication. With a combination of formal education, patience, experience, and application, anybody can pursue a career in this rapidly-growing industry.

Author: Carol Trehearn