How to Become a Game Designer

Game designers are in demand. The gaming industry is growing faster than colleges and schools can churn out students. The hours are long, and the work is addictive – but if you can learn to program as well as you play, a game designer career could become a reality for you.

Game designers are passionate self-learners with addictive personalities. They are addicted to games, and they must be in order to be a game designer. Game designers are under pressure to meet deadlines, but deadlines crush creativity. They are in a constant battle on the screen, and within themselves. When passionate gaming mixes with creativity, programming, endurance and addiction, a game designer is born.

Gaming isn’t child’s play anymore, it’s big business. In 2008 the US pulled in a hefty 22 billion dollars from the gaming industry, despite economic woes. Globally, the gaming industry was a winner in 2007 with over 41 billion dollars worth of gaming hardware and software filling the living rooms of gamers everywhere. There are job titles that future game designers aren’t even aware exist. Of course there’s a chief technical officer, a senior programmer, and an art director – but now the entertainment and media want ads are looking for lead scenario designers, battle designers, combat designers and level designers. There are game designer careers within game designer jobs. Some other titles for game designer careers are scenario designer, concept author, conceptual designer, level planner and camera designer. Then of course there’s the textual artist, background modeler, environment designer and character designer. But it all starts with a computer and an education – and lots of game playing.

A game designer education needs to include courses in programming, graphic design, media, art, communication, marketing, algebra and geometry. Self-learning, by taking advantage of game creating software (game engine tools) and 3D modeling tools can give you a head start. Going back to play some of the historical games and reviewing the history of video games can also put you a level over the competition. If you are addicted enough and have the perseverance to pursue your career, getting a college education is the fastest and easiest way to get your foot in the door. Your portfolio should include courses in digital media, communication, graphic design and computer programming at the minimum. Try to get courses in animation, cinematics, creative writing or storytelling. The majority of game designers have a degree, and common majors are computer science, art and English.

Game designer positions will be growing with technology. Your talent and on-the-job experience in game designing will carry you up the levels in your career, but your college education will get you in the door. Investing in an education in game designing will give you the career potential to make well over $50,000 and do something you love. Design a plan for your future, and take the path to your game design career. A game designer that loves to game will always win.