3 answers
Andrew
Student
Waterbury, Connecticut
6
Questions
Updated
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what skills would i have to learn to become a game designer
#artist #animation #design #video-games #game-design #video-game-design
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3 answers
Courtland Kendrick, CPA
CPA
10
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Courtland’s Answer
Here are some key skills that will give you an idea of what game designers typically need:
- Creativity
- Artistic vision
- A passion for video games
- Storytelling ability
- Wide-ranging knowledge of gaming trends
- Strong analytical frame of mind
- Excellent programming skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/job-descriptions/454743-video-game-designer-job-description
Tony heckman
Software Developer
8
Answers
Warrensburg, Illinois
Updated
Tony’s Answer
I would add a bit to the previous answer. I commend him on the his analysis and wouldn't add a thing.
However, in answer to your question, I would say to pick a subset of the options listed. Unless you are a very special person, you will not master all of those skills.
It really depends on what you are good at and what you love. I am a programmer and therefore the 'business' side of game programming is where I shine. Making the idea rise out of nothing. I am in awe of the creative side that supplies me with the pieces and parts to do so.
So I focus on the bottom part of Courtland's list - with one caveat. I love games. If you don't, don't start writing games for a living as there is more money elsewhere. It's cool as a hobby if you don't want to get serious.
The pieces you don't master can be supplied by others. I would love to be able to the graphics and I have done so, but when compared to the stuff available out there, very sad!
Decide what side of the process you want to focus on. Unless you are working alone and have no budget (a real tough road), the better you are on your skill set, the better the final product.
Don't ever forget why you started - love of games. There will be times ...
However, in answer to your question, I would say to pick a subset of the options listed. Unless you are a very special person, you will not master all of those skills.
It really depends on what you are good at and what you love. I am a programmer and therefore the 'business' side of game programming is where I shine. Making the idea rise out of nothing. I am in awe of the creative side that supplies me with the pieces and parts to do so.
So I focus on the bottom part of Courtland's list - with one caveat. I love games. If you don't, don't start writing games for a living as there is more money elsewhere. It's cool as a hobby if you don't want to get serious.
The pieces you don't master can be supplied by others. I would love to be able to the graphics and I have done so, but when compared to the stuff available out there, very sad!
Tony recommends the following next steps:
Shubham Singh
Enginneer
11
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Shubham’s Answer
Ask yourself another question first… What is your target platform? - By this I mean, do you want to focus on mobile games, desktop games, cross platform games or web based games.
I would recommend C++ for both 2D or 3D, it’s a little harder to grasp at first but once you get started you’ll be on a roll and your body of works will make you someone that will be ready to hire, there are other languages you can learn but it all depends on the answer to the above question.
C++ is probably one of the wider used and most useful languages both inside and outside of game development.
Javascript is useful for making web based, mobile compatible and generally cross platform developments and is not too hard to learn, you’ll be able to release on virtually anything but depending on whether or not you want to target 2D or 3D developments you might notice a significant step in difficulty or issues with devices not supporting things unless you use a well supported 3D framework or html5 engine.
If you want the above with Javascript, look into the Phaser framework, it’s the most useful framework for developing html5 games with JS that I have come across yet, and it’s completely free. If that is the type of development you want to be doing then you’ll absoloutely love the Phaser framework.
C# is a popular choice almost solely because of Unity, there are very few engines that utilise C# for game programming but Unity also supports another language too.
There is another language that is pretty easy to get into, well supported and capable of 2D and 3D developments with a handful of frameworks and engines to choose from… Python.
Alternatively there is Lua with the LÓVE 2D framework.
LUA and Python have to be the easier languages to grasp, but if you want to develop a career not just dabble with game development, then I’d suggest looking into C++ as you’re more likely to get a job after you learn your stuff with C++ than the others, but it all depends on your longer term career goals as well as your personal goals!
Have a little read over the websites for things I’ve mentioned here and SFML which is a C++ framework with a handful of useful learning materials and books, or Unreal Engine 4, which also has an amazing set of resources and a budding community, capable of real 2d and 3d developments.
I hope that helps… Good luck!
I would recommend C++ for both 2D or 3D, it’s a little harder to grasp at first but once you get started you’ll be on a roll and your body of works will make you someone that will be ready to hire, there are other languages you can learn but it all depends on the answer to the above question.
C++ is probably one of the wider used and most useful languages both inside and outside of game development.
Javascript is useful for making web based, mobile compatible and generally cross platform developments and is not too hard to learn, you’ll be able to release on virtually anything but depending on whether or not you want to target 2D or 3D developments you might notice a significant step in difficulty or issues with devices not supporting things unless you use a well supported 3D framework or html5 engine.
If you want the above with Javascript, look into the Phaser framework, it’s the most useful framework for developing html5 games with JS that I have come across yet, and it’s completely free. If that is the type of development you want to be doing then you’ll absoloutely love the Phaser framework.
C# is a popular choice almost solely because of Unity, there are very few engines that utilise C# for game programming but Unity also supports another language too.
There is another language that is pretty easy to get into, well supported and capable of 2D and 3D developments with a handful of frameworks and engines to choose from… Python.
Alternatively there is Lua with the LÓVE 2D framework.
LUA and Python have to be the easier languages to grasp, but if you want to develop a career not just dabble with game development, then I’d suggest looking into C++ as you’re more likely to get a job after you learn your stuff with C++ than the others, but it all depends on your longer term career goals as well as your personal goals!
Have a little read over the websites for things I’ve mentioned here and SFML which is a C++ framework with a handful of useful learning materials and books, or Unreal Engine 4, which also has an amazing set of resources and a budding community, capable of real 2d and 3d developments.
I hope that helps… Good luck!