   Approaching a Career in Game Design Cautiously.....a few questions?
  I am planning to peruse a career in game design, I am trying to be very cautious and intelligent about how to go about getting where I want to be, and quite aware of having to work a decent way up until I have a good career in developing games.I did have a few questions though...At the moment there are 2 routes available, following the computer science route, learning the code, the math, the physics etc, I understand the great deal of importance, and I think it would be of my own benefit to understand how these things work to make a good game, rather then creating over the top ideas and not having a clue on how to make them possible, and being realistic about whats needed.and the second route I have available to me is going to a school that dedicated for Game Design and Game art. I can see how this would be beneficial, but in my opinion it seems as though knowing how to design a good game can come from trials and error of game development itself, and analyzing games that anyone plays on a daily basis.To me it seems as though there is a great value in pursuing the computer science aspect of game development to give me the solid tools to develop intelligently and craft realistic game goals.But I am quite aware that I am a "noob" in terms of dame designers, so I may definitely be wrong, and I would greatly appreciate some advice and suggestions so I don't waste time prioritizing on certain aspects of game design that may not get me to where I want to be.Some games I have been studying and analyzing to understand good and bad game design are...1) Half Life 22) Half Life 2 ep 23) Shadow of The Colossus 4) ICO5) Metal Gear Solid 46) Gears of War 27) Counter Strike: Source8) Left4Dead9) Half Life 2 Lost Coast10) Killzone 211) Resident Evil 5I don't consider any of these games to be all good or all bad, just games that I have been studying to understand good and bad game design in terms of player needs, and developer goals.I hope anyone can help me ^^Thank you   
Quote:Original post by Jman522At the moment there are 2 routes available, following the computer science route, learning the code, the math, the physics etc, I understand the great deal of importance, and I think it would be of my own benefit to understand how these things work to make a good game, rather then creating over the top ideas and not having a clue on how to make them possible, and being realistic about whats needed.That is generally the route to becoming a game programmer. Sometimes being a programmer is also a route to becoming a designer, but not always. However it does open up the possibility to make your own games rather than to rely on being part of a team, which as you say is of benefit in learning about practical issues, as well as being able to create prototypes and so on. This is a good route, if programming truly interests you, but don't do it just to get into design.Quote:and the second route I have available to me is going to a school that dedicated for Game Design and Game art. I can see how this would be beneficial, but in my opinion it seems as though knowing how to design a good game can come from trials and error of game development itself, and analyzing games that anyone plays on a daily basis.Professional game development is a costly business so there isn't really any scope for learning through 'trial and error'. Nobody would pay you to make 3 or 4 bad games while you learn. So it's definitely beneficial to prepare yourself beforehand, whether with education, a portfolio, or ideally both. A good course in game design and art is a reasonable approach, and it's recommended that you work on developing your design skills in your spare time too, by working on game mods for example.Quote:Some games I have been studying and analyzing to understand good and bad game design are...1) Half Life 22) Half Life 2 ep 23) Shadow of The Colossus 4) ICO5) Metal Gear Solid 46) Gears of War 27) Counter Strike: Source8) Left4Dead9) Half Life 2 Lost Coast10) Killzone 211) Resident Evil 5So that's almost entirely American-style first-person shooters with a few Japanese-style third-person explorers. You really need to broaden your horizons if you want to learn about game design through observation. Consider sports games, puzzle games, RPGs, platformers, MMOs, real time strategy, turn based strategy, etc. Most of the game jobs available won't be making the two narrow genres that you've listed there so it will be beneficial to show that you understand the needs and requirements of game designs for different genres.   ;  Have you made any good levels or mods for the games you listed?  Great place to start if you want to be a designer and to be able to start building a portfolio.Learning programming isn't necessary but certainly won't hurt.  You'll probably need to learn how to script in game events and such though at the very least.   ;  Jman wrote:>At the moment there are 2 routes available, following the computer science route... [or] going to a school that dedicated for Game Design and Game art. I assume what you're saying is that your two choices are:- Computer Science degree- Game Art degreeOnly problem is, you didn't say anything that indicates you are either:- A computer wiz or- An artisteIf the former, you are a person everybody comes to when they have computer problems or need help with an app. If that's you, then yes you should go for the CS degree. If that's not you, then no you shouldn't.If the latter, you are a person whose parents' refrigerator and walls don't have any more room to display your masterpieces, and everybody comes to you begging for a caricature or for your help designing posters to put up at school. You're a drawing fool - everywhere you go, you have your sketch pad, everybody thinks you're quite an artiste. If this is you, then yes you should go for the art degree. If that's not you, then no you shouldn't.If neither of those things fits you, then you should get a liberal arts degree in whatever subject you want (see http://www.sloperama.com/advice/designprep.htm), or go to a game school and study level design (which will be very expensive). And you should start working on everything game-related in your spare time (like the stuff outlined at http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson12.htm), see if there are any modders you can help out somehow. ;Quote:Original post by Tom SloperI assume what you're saying is that your two choices are:- Computer Science degree- Game Art degreeOnly problem is, you didn't say anything that indicates you are either:- A computer wiz or- An artisteI apologize for not being thorough, I am a bit of both, I have a continually growing knowledge about computers and how they work, but I have an artistic side as well. I guess that may-be why I am having a hard time deciding.From what I am hearing from the site members it seems that getting into a career in game design doesn't necessary require complete knowledge of coding and the rest that comes with it.Also I understand that the trial and error can't always apply to actual developing a game for a publisher, but more in terms of modding games. I apologize in not making that clear.I really do appreciate everyone's help, its giving me a much clearer view of how to approach this career. I also have recently found out that if I go to a school with a program focused on game art & design, that I will have a demo reel ready by the time I complete the program.Thanks for your help and if anyone has more advice I am definitely open ^^   ;  I believe the trial and error is refering to working on your own projects and learning through your mistakes on your own dime as opposed to doing it on a company's dime.Mods are definately a great place to start, but you might also consider making a few small games(Pong, Tetris, Breakout) and progressing to increasingly more difficult games(Super Mario Bros clone, Zelda Clone, etc) to build up a portfolio.To get into the industry, I've come to learn that you will need a broad skillset and a broad range of games, artwork, etc in your portfolio depending upon what positions(designer, programmer, artist) you are looking at in the industry.As a programmer you will need to know as much about the various technologies and tools available to you to use to create a game.As an artist you will need to know the tools that go with that job.As a level designer you will need to know how to create entertaining and engaging levels.As a designer you will need to try to know how all the various components of a game interconnect and what goes into creating those components, so in essence you are all the above rolled into one.   ;Quote:Original post by Jman522I am a bit of both, I have a continually growing knowledge about computers and how they work, but I have an artistic side as well. I guess that may-be why I am having a hard time deciding.I recommend making a decision grid. By considering multiple criteria, you can determine which of the two you should major in, while continuing to pursue (and possibly minor in) the other.Decision grids are discussed in FAQ 25: http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson25.htm   