A game designer is one of those professions that has appeared on the labor market relatively recently, and, perhaps, is only gaining momentum. A person who has chosen this profession should understand that it is he who, creating a unique gaming universe, is, in fact, responsible for making the new project attractive to consumers.
Features
In simple terms, the game designer is the specialist responsible for creating computer games. Its main tasks include:
- coordination of all specialists involved in the workflow;
- thinking over and developing a key idea;
- the implementation of a holistic gaming product that will attract the attention of customers.
This specialist should make the product so that gamers understand how to interact with it, and so that the user remains interested throughout the process. In fact, such an expert can be called the producer of a computer game.
Pros and cons of the profession
The advantages of the profession of a game designer include the creative nature of the process, the ability to work at home and get a good salary. In addition, every year the profession becomes more and more popular in the labor market. The specialist will never have to be bored, since most of the tasks performed are creative. An employee can gain a diverse experience in creating the gaming world, build a successful career and even become popular in the gaming environment.
Possible shortcomings of the vacancy are rush jobs and irregular working hours, as a result of which the work process becomes quite stressful. The game designer has a lot of work, and it should be done pretty quickly.
Specificity
The list of responsibilities of the game designer, defining the specifics of the work, is quite extensive. The most interesting is the direct generation of ideas needed to create the game, as well as their integration into a holistic concept. It is also a specialist’s responsibility to write design documentation, which usually takes up most of the time.
Each game mechanism should be presented with maximum details. A long process is also such as creating sketches of the game interface.
It is necessary to be prepared that it is the interface that can undergo numerous changes in the future.
Throughout the work, the game designer will communicate with developers, since the same data indicated in the documentation may be perceived by different employees differently. Of course, you can not do without performing tasks such as thought out the plot, writing dialogs and other texts that are present in the game. Moreover, from a game designer, the calculation of both combat and economic systems is often expected.
The specialist adds all new game content to the system, from tips to characters and enemies, and also works on individual levels, forming locations, terrain and living creatures. At the end of the project, a professional necessarily tests the game, identifying problems and quickly solving them.
I must say that abroad, for every game designer, there is only one task, while in Russia quite often almost the entire layer of work falls on one specialist. If you look at real vacancies for game designers, you can find such a responsibility as designing and releasing updates for existing games. The specialist should not only keep all the project documentation, but also be able to work in a special admin panel.
This employee prescribes technical tasks for the rest of the team members, compiles game texts and designs features.
Requirements
Since the game designer has to cope with completely diverse tasks, the requirements for such an employee are also numerous.
Knowledge and skills
Despite the fact that this item seems commonplace, it is important for a game designer to know the Russian language well, since writing various texts is included in the spectrum of his duties. At least basic knowledge of the English language will not hurt the specialist, since the active development of the game industry takes place in the West. Of course, a great gaming experience is also important for an employee, but only if it is combined with analysis and critical thinking. A professional can soberly evaluate both his favorite childhood game and the “high-profile” novelty, revealing all the pros, cons and catchy moments.
By the way, being able to program, script and work with XML is not so important for a game designer. At present, it is much more important to be an expert in your own field, so instead of immersing yourself in program codes, it is better to expand your cultural horizons. Today's game designer does not even have to be able to draw. Of course, the ability to sketch to explain your idea is important, but The main drawing of characters and locations will still be handled by professional artists. Nonetheless basic knowledge of some specialized programs will be a clear plus for the resume. It is in this case about Adobe Photoshop, 3ds Max, Unreal Editor, and Unity.
If you look at the real vacancies presented on the Internet, you can find such requirements for the applicant as a rich gaming experience in MMORPG and a broad outlook in this area. The specialist must be proficient in a technical foreign language and demonstrate literacy in the use of the Russian language.
Finally, the game designer is expected to be able to work in a team and relate to business with healthy perfectionism.
Personal qualities
One of the main qualities that a game designer should have is rich imagination. A specialist must constantly replenish his "piggy bank of knowledge" by reading works of classical and modern literature, watching high-quality films, listening to music, getting to know the cultures of different countries and, of course, playing video games. As a result rich experience will lead to the generation of unusual and vibrant projects.
In addition to a creative approach to activities, the ability to analyze the games already on the market is also important. Only by understanding what gives the zest to popular products, you can understand what feature is required for your own project.
An important quality for a game designer is logical thinking, without which you can not do in negotiations with colleagues and opponents to promote their own ideas. Of course, successfully interacting with team members will succeed only if you have sociability, patience and a positive outlook on life.
It is very important for a specialist to be in a constant process of self-learning, as the gaming industry is constantly developing, and it is important to keep up with it. The game designer must monitor changes in his field, monitor trends and learn new programs.
Training and career
To become a game designer, you must first get higher education in related discipline, after which you will additionally have to study in specialized courses. For example, you can first get an education at the Moscow Academy of Humanities and Technology or at the State University for Land Management, again in the specialty "Design".
Further, the future specialist will decide on the courses. For example, you can enter the STEP Computer Academy. Since 2014, the Higher School of Economics also allows you to get a professional education in game design, confirmed by a diploma. It is important to add that for a professional in the gaming industry, self-education is also important. The specialist is recommended to regularly attend conferences and exhibitions, as well as study articles in such publications as VC, Habrahabr, Gamedev, and others.
As for wages, in Russia it ranges from 25 thousand to 120 thousand rubles. In Moscow, this indicator is slightly higher: specialists receive from 60 thousand to 220 thousand rubles. Game designer can start work as a tester or in non-profit projects of amateur enthusiasts. In any case, filling the portfolio with interesting projects will be to the specialist's hand.
Further, applying for a position already directly a game designer, the candidate should be ready to perform a test task.
Many beginner game designers who have just received the required education are concerned about how to get a job, if in most cases a specialist with relevant experience is required. Currently, an independent movement is actively developing in the CIS, the members of which hold various competitions and conferences. By participating in such events, a beginner can join existing indie teams to gain experience together. However, becoming a part of such a team, one must honestly evaluate whether the team intends to work or just have fun. In addition, participating in the indie movement, you won’t make money.
Another way to gain experience is participation in testing games. As a rule, there are no special requirements for this vacancy, and therefore getting a tester is much easier than directly by a game designer. A novice specialist will be able to not only receive a salary, but also plunge headlong into the game industry, interact with professionals and study game projects as deeply as possible.
Moreover, quite often beta testers become game designers in the same company.
If we talk about career prospects, then for the game designer there are several options. Firstly, he can move up the career ladder, becoming a creative producer and literary editor, and then a full-fledged leader - first at divisions and then at studios. Secondly, he can advance to a leading game designer, and then develop as an expert. Finally, he can work for himself, at first as an individual entrepreneur, and then as the owner of the studio.
