Game Design: Courses, Syllabus, Career, and Industry Trends

Game design is creating characters, levels, obstacles, storyline, and rules of a game. It is a part of the larger process of game development. The game designer must have writing, aesthetic, and programming skills and a deeper understanding of player psychology. The purpose is to get the player to interact with the game narrative through a logical sequence.

Today, the ecosystem of the video games industry is booming with creators, designers, developers, publishers, and distributors. Its global market is going to reach US$282.30bn in 2024, Statista says.

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• CUET UG RE-exam for admission to undergraduate-level courses will be conducted on Jul 19 2024 for affected candidates.

Game Design Course Highlights 

Gaming trends such as Metaverse, AR/VR, mobile gaming with 5G, Gaming as a Service (GaaS), GenAI, etc., are set to create newer opportunities for game designers and developers worldwide. Such growth is possible as the current landscape is powered by faster internet and growing smartphone users. 

Here are some important statistics regarding these trends. 

• By 2026 the AR and VR video game market will reach USD 11.0 billion (Industry ARC).
• The Metaverse video game market will reach 710.21 billion by 2027 (Global Market Estimates). 
• Blockchain game market is estimated to reach USD 218 billion (emizentech).
• The cloud gaming is expected to reach USD 6.1 billion in 2025 (EY). 
•  Generative-AI powered NPCs are going to be big in 2025 and these will be built using the Unreal Engine plugin, according to Creativebloq.  

Game design is one of the most important areas of game development. Professionals here use creativity and analytical skills to create compelling stories with goals at each level.

Both software and coding are important in the field of game design. Here are some tools to learn. 

Which is More Suitable For You - Online Game Design Courses vs Offline Game Design Courses?

It is important to note about career goals when deciding on game design courses online vs offline. For your convenience, here are some facts to consider before choosing one of the two. 

• Flexibility and Accessibility: Online game design courses offer flexibility and accessibility. You can learn at your own pace and from anywhere in the world. This is particularly beneficial for individuals who may be in graphic design or computer science job but want to learn on the side or make a career switch. 
• Hands-on Experience: Offline game design courses from colleges or universities often provide more hands-on experience. They may offer more opportunities for practical projects, team collaboration, and one-on-one interaction with instructors.
• Networking Opportunities: College level game design courses can provide more networking opportunities. Being physically present in a classroom allows you to interact with classmates and professors, which can lead to valuable connections in the industry. 
• Self-Discipline and Motivation: Online courses require a high level of self-discipline and motivation. Without the structure of a traditional classroom, some students may struggle to keep up with the coursework. 
• Cost: Online courses can often be more affordable than traditional courses. However, it's important to consider the value of the course content and the reputation of the institution offering the course. 
• Immediate Feedback: In a traditional classroom setting, you can get immediate feedback from your instructors and peers. This can be beneficial for learning and improving your skills.
• Up-to-date Content: Online courses can be updated more frequently to keep up with the latest trends and technologies in game design. 
• Internship Opportunities: Some traditional game design programs offer internship opportunities with game development companies, which can provide valuable real-world experience. 

Here are some top reasons to learn game design. 

• The Economic Times highlights a gap in console gaming design skills, particularly in India.
• According to AmbitionBox, the current yearly salary of a game designer in India with less than a year of working experience is INR 1 LPA. But, if the experience is 8 years, an average annual salary is INR 17 LPA. (See salary range by experience below).  
• Avinash Pandey, co-founder of Lila Games, mentions that although India has skilled engineers and artists, they lack a deep understanding of game design and economy.
• The rise of 5G and cloud gaming will make games cheaper by reducing the need for hardware updates. Smaller studios can benefit from mergers and acquisitions with larger ones, improving cloud distribution services and potentially bringing cloud games to TV.
• Games have evolved beyond entertainment and have out-of-game communities on platforms like Discord and Reddit.
• According to Bain & Co, gamers between 13 and 17 years old spend more time on games than on any other medium, indicating their increasing contribution to the video game sector in the future.

Relevance of Learning Game Design in 2024

According to an IBEF report, India is projected to capture 5% of the global market by 2025, with substantial growth and job creation of up to 1,60,000. Previously the gaming industry in India was expected to have up to 12,000 jobs in 2023. Even the last HP India Gaming Landscape Study 2022 mentions that 2/3rds of serious gamers seek a full- or part-time job in this industry. 

Game design is a dynamic career option. As a game designer, it is important to stay ahead of emerging technologies and industries, such as blockchain, AR/VR, AI & ML, etc. Gamers today, and in the near future, look for more immersive experiences and unique game plays. If you have a knack for storytelling, coding, project management, and aesthetics, getting into this profession is a good career choice.

How to Learn and Excel Game Design Strategically

Learning game design leads to acquiring knowledge and experience in game mechanics, explaining rules to players, pre-production techniques, design documentation, and play-testing. 

It is ideal to have a background in programming, familiarity with computer science, graphic design, good storytelling through creative writing, and the like. Most online game designing courses will teach these. 

Here are a few steps you should consider when you want to learn game design. 

• Explore the basics of graphic design, and focus on user experience (UX). 
• Get inside player psychology - know what they consider as ‘fun’ and ‘rewarding’. 
• Learn storytelling and character development. Explore what will hook the gamer to your game. Try decoding the hooks from the video games you play and note them. 
• Understand what it means to make a gameplay balanced through proper levels.
• Learn to use project management tools like Jira or similar so that you can organise the planning and monitoring processes that go into your game design - from conceptualisation to testing, iteration, and completion. 
• Learn a programming language like C++, Python, Java, or JavaScript.
• Go for game hackathons. 

The minimum eligibility to learn game design online is to have a graduate degree. But it is not set for all courses. A few universities offering 100% online courses may ask for 10+2 certificate or GPA in college. 

Who Should Go For Online Game Design Courses?

• Individuals who have a passion for video games and want to learn how to create their own. These courses can provide a solid foundation in game design principles, programming, and the use of game development tools.
• Those already working in the industry might enrol in these courses to update their skills, learn about new technologies and methodologies, or specialise in a particular aspect of game design.
• Students studying computer science or a related field might take these courses to supplement their education and gain practical skills that can be applied in the gaming industry.
• Teachers who want to incorporate game design into their curriculum can benefit from these courses. They can learn how to teach game design principles and use games as a tool for education.
• Those looking for a career change into a creative and growing industry. Game design can be a rewarding field for individuals with a passion for games and a knack for problem-solving and creativity.

While going for online design courses, the syllabus may vary. But the topics will more or less cover these elements or more. Here is a snapshot of the syllabus combined with various certifications in game design. 

Tools To Look Out in a Game Design Course

Both software and coding are important in the field of game design. Here are some tools to learn. 

There are many colleges which offer Game Design courses in various levels. The admissions to Game Design courses are done on the basis of both merit and entrance exams. Tuition costs vary from university to university. Students can shortlist colleges according to their suitability. Some of the best designing colleges which offer Game Design courses are running privately. These colleges have established themselves as leading institutes in the field of Game Design and other specialisations. The colleges mentioned in the table are listed alphabetically and not in any order of ranking hierarchy. 

Note: The fee range given above is for all level Communication Design courses such as UG, PG, Certificate and Diploma.

State of Game Design Industry in India

India's gaming industry has seen significant growth in recent years, becoming one of the largest global markets for gaming. This growth is fueled by India's large youth population, higher disposable incomes, new gaming genres, and an increase in tablet and smartphone users. Here is a snapshot of the current state, according to data from IBEF. 

The market size for gaming in the country is estimated to be around US$ 2.6 billion in FY22, and it is predicted to reach US$ 8.6 billion by FY27. The majority of the current gaming market revenue comes from real money gaming (RMG). The number of gamers in India stood at 507 million in FY22, growing at a CAGR of 12% from 450 million in FY21.

India also contributed to 15 billion downloads in FY22, making it the largest consumer of mobile games globally, with a 17% share.

It is important to note that on average, an Indian gamer spent 8.5 hours per week on mobile games in FY22. Along with that, games made by Indian developers and those featuring Indian culture, landscapes, and characters are also growing in popularity.

How to Kickstart Your Career in Game Design

Future Growth Prospects in Game Design 

Gaming companies in India have raised funding worth US$ 2.8 billion from domestic and overseas investors in the last five years.

Also, the government has started a digital gaming research initiative, and the SERB-INAE Conclave was organised recently to support the Indian digital gaming research space and industry. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has established the Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic (AVGC) Promotion Task Force.

Future growth in the Indian gaming industry will be brought about as a result of rapid digitalisation and change, rising internet usage, and increasing smartphone penetration. There will be the creation of new features, and players will be able to enjoy more lifelike, vibrant, and captivating experiences.

Let’s talk about challenges first. Then we will move on to the opportunities. 

Challenges in Game Design Industry

• Complexity of Game Design: Designing a game, especially an educational one, is a complex task. It requires a balance between making the game fun and ensuring it provides educational value. This balance is often hard to achieve. 
• Avoiding "Chocolate-Covered Broccoli": This term refers to the practice of disguising educational content in a game, which often results in a game that is neither fun nor effective as a learning tool. The challenge is to integrate learning into the game in a way that feels natural and engaging. 
• Market Sustainability: Many educational games struggle to find a sustainable market. They often fail to engage users or fill a clear need in the market, leading to financial instability. 
• Embracing Iterative Design: Game design involves an iterative process that requires constant testing, tweaking, and refining. This process can be challenging to embrace, especially in an educational setting where outcomes are often expected to be predetermined. 
• Diverse Skill Levels: In an educational setting, students come in with varying technical abilities. This diversity can make it challenging to teach game design effectively to all students.

Opportunities in Game Design

• Learning Through Play: Video games provide a unique opportunity for learning through play. They allow players to step into different roles, confront problems, and explore the consequences of their actions in a safe environment. 
• Motivation and Engagement: Well-designed educational games can motivate and engage students in learning. They can make learning enjoyable and meaningful, rather than a task to be endured. 
• Development of 21st Century Skills: Games can foster critical skills necessary for navigating an interconnected, rapidly changing world, including problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and systems-thinking. 
• Deep Learning: The iterative design process inherent in game design can lead to deep learning. It allows students to build foundational skills and practice them repeatedly, leading to mastery. 
• Cross-Disciplinary Learning: Game design education can provide students with a broad range of skills, from programming to art to storytelling. This cross-disciplinary learning can be highly valuable in today's diverse job market. 

Dream Companies For Game Designers Globally

Future Predictions with Potential Industry Shift in Gaming

Here are a few things to consider in the gaming industry. 

• The video games market is split between large studios focusing on multi-platform developments and indie studios prioritizing single-platform development and release speed.
• The dominant monetization model is free-to-play with ads and in-game purchases, but hybrid models and subscription services are emerging.
• Blockchain is enabling new models like play-to-earn and secure in-game purchases with cryptocurrency.
• The video game industry is seen as the centre of the developing metaverse, offering new business opportunities.
• Cloud gaming, streaming games to portable devices, is expected to grow significantly as 5G networks become more widespread.
• Games are evolving into virtual social spaces, particularly for younger generations, driving industry revenue growth.
• AI is increasingly used in games, with speculation about its potential for game creation.
• E-sports, competitive video game tournaments, are surging in popularity, with significant projected market growth.

Game Design Course FAQs