Jason
What should i learn to be a game designer?
I have zero experience in gaming design, but i want to learn. It is like one of my dream jobs. Is unity a good one to start with? I like Dota 2, Overwatch, and Lost Saga. #highschool #game-design #technology
3 answers
Mark Kreitler
Mark’s Answer
Hey Jason,
These days, "game design" is a huge field. Almost anything you study can apply. Students of literature can become narrative designers (writing stories and dialog for games). People who study economics can become economy designers (balancing the virtual currency systems in games). And so on and so on.
But, that's probably not what you are asking.
It sounds like you want to *build* games. That's the desire that drives most of us. Where to start with that depends on what you already know and how much of a learning curve you are willing to climb before seeing results.
If you know how to program, then Unity isn't a bad choice. It's a HUGE and powerful editor, which means the learning curve is steep. And, to do many things, you will need to know how to program. So, if you are a total beginner, you might want to save Unity for later.
If you *are* a beginner, check out Construct 2, GameMaker, and ClickTeam Fusion. These packages let you build games without having to know code (though you can use code if you know it, and it's a good way to ease into that).
Once you find a development tool that you like, search the web for relevant tutorials and communities. These days, there are lots of free resources to help you get started.
One thing to remember, though, is that games like DOTA 2 and Overwatch are built by teams of 50+ people, working for years at a time. Your games will seem small in comparison -- but don't give up! It takes a while to understand what makes games fun, but once you get it, even a game built by 1 or 2 people can bring a lot of joy to players (heck, look at most mobile games).
As Erinn said, the most important thing is to start making stuff. If you make a few games -- even little ones -- and can show employers what you did on your own, you'll have a much better chance of landing a job. The good news is that making games is so much fun, you'll probably have a few under your belt before you know it.
Good luck!
Mark recommends the following next steps:
Jacob Hutcheson
Jacob’s Answer
I'm gonna recommend something incredibly specific: you should start learning Linear Algebra as soon as possible. A big part of making a game work is the math involved (but don't think you need to be 'good' at math). You will want to have a decent grasp of vectors (for 2d) and transform matrices (for 3d). Make a shape move on screen? Make a cool shader effect? Make a model animate? All of that is grounded in the same math principles that are not generally focused on in school (at least back when I was learning all this).
Ashley Apodaca
Ashley’s Answer
Apple stores offer free classes for beginners. They provide the device if you don't have one. You can go online or go into a store in a mall and sign up. They have several levels and the apps they teach you on also have multiple levels to grow and get better. After taking a class or two you will learn if it is still the path you are interested in.