Overview
Game developers are software developers who specialise in the field of video games. Their primary job involves writing codes for making a game idea functional. They are involved in various aspects of game’s creation from the initial concept to finished product including coding, programming, audio, design, production and visual arts. On the other hand, game designers are concerned with the aesthetic appeal and overall design of the video game. They play an active role in brainstorming and conceptualising the idea behind a game. Designing characters, puzzles, levels, layouts etc are also fall under their area of work. Both game designers and developers, collaborate on projects, along with other experts to push the creative boundaries in the gaming industry.
Given below are some specialisations within the gaming industry:
- Game Art: All visual elements in a video game are created using game art with a help of different digital art creation softwares.
- Game Designing: It involves coming up with concepts or ideas based on which the games are developed.
- Game Development: Professionals associated with this aspect of gaming, provide technical as well as creative expertise to bring an idea for a game to life by developing codes and working algorithms to make games functional.
- Game Testing: An important step post game development is testing the game to identify any technical, graphical or user based errors.
Roles & Responsibilities
Certain duties attached with this field are:
- Game Designer:
- Conduct market research to come up with new ideas for games as well as identify the needs of the target audience.
- Create the design and video features of the game.
- Work on the layout, levels, graphics, characters, animation for the proposed game.
- Make a detailed structure regarding every element of a new game including the setting, rules, story, props, character interface and modes of play.
- Collaborate with others, including games developers, artists and programmers, to produce a prototype for the proposed game to be developed.
- Adapt and change the design based on the progress made and the difficulties faced in the development phase.
- Game Developer:
- Construct the base or the engine on which the game will run.
- Produce prototypes of game ideas and features.
- Translate game idea into specific and efficient code.
- Generate game scripts and storyboards.
- Run trials to test for errors in the developing phase.
- Train quality assurance (QA) testers to play the game to test its performance.
- Resolve identified technical issues that interfere with the performance of the product.
Desired Attributes
Given below are the desired qualities for professionals in this field:
- Be creative and original in developing new concepts for games.
- Ability to visualise and draw in great detail.
- Have strong communication and presentation skills.
- Good problem solving and time management skills.
- Ability to work well within a team set up.
- Ability to work efficiently and meet regular deadlines for project completion.
- Need to stay up-to-date with the latest gaming trends, techniques, softwares and technologies used in the field.
- Willingness to gain hands on experience primarily with C++ or Java or other programming languages such as artificial intelligence, 3D Rendering, 3D animation etc.
How to get there
After clearing 12th standard exams, students can enroll for one of the following degrees:
- B.Sc in Gaming Design
- B.Sc in Computer Science (Game Development & Design)
- B.Des in Game Design
- B.Sc Animation Game Designing and Development
- BFA in Game Design
- Diploma in Game Design and Integration
- Certificate in Game Art and Design
Mastering a few important computer languages such as Actionscript, Assembly, C++, Java, Python etc is always an advantage. Gaining work experience through internships would further assist in advancing one’s career in the gaming industry.