How to Start a Career in Game Design

By Vivek Kumar

Video games are the one thing that have never gone out of fashion. Their popularity as an entertainment medium has only increased since inception. Game designers are the people that bring a video game to life. The field of game design has become effervescent with time. Game design draws from the areas of artificial intelligence, programming and graphic design. The intense process requires designing a persona, game levels, puzzles, strategy for the game and animation. Coding languages like html5 are used to write codes for developing a game which involves a programmer. Fields like artificial intelligence and optimization theory draw from this field as well. A beginner or an experienced person can take up artificial intelligence courses and design courses to develop their skill set.

 

Why one should build a career in Game Design

Gaming industry all over the world has seen a constant magnification regarding approach and revenue. The global revenue for the gaming industry, today, is more than $100 billion. Furthermore, the rise in social media and mobile gaming has opened up the gates for more potential employment for game designers and related fields. For those who consider game design as a career, the field is more enthusiasm oriented. On an average, people from all walks of life, aged anywhere from 22 to 35 start their career in this fun and lucrative industry at junior level positions every year. Secondly, the gaming industry is essentially a knowledge and passion-based industry, so more preference is given to your skills and portfolio.

Playing together is trending in game-based technical education. Video games are looked upon as engaging and critical learning tools. These tools provide engrossment, interactive learning, and creative aptitude for students to learn and explore in the 21st-century classroom teaching. Countries like the US and the UK have Departments of Education recognizing digital games for education technology learning and are inclined to the adoption of prime quality games in schools for formal and informal learning.

Skills to build before learning Game Design

Before starting a career in the field, know that a mere love for video games does not define the right career path for you. Specific skills, passion, and creativity are required to succeed in this ever-changing and competitive industry. Most of the careers in the game designing industry require a thorough knowledge of the gaming industry, graphic designing, animation, programming languages (especially C and C++), math, probability, and general knowledge.

Use of online material and courses in India

There are plenty of courses to help you learn game design, but those would not suffice the agenda of defining a career in the field of game design. People who are looking to develop a career in game design need more than just basic courses. Advanced level courses not only help you hone your skills but also advance your existing job. It is essential to build core expertise in design, technology, and business skills to become an expert in the industry.

Many courses are projected towards creative content writing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, user testing, programming among others. While many classes are free, there are some that come on a subscription cost. The courses typically run 6-8 weeks with assessments.

Some Popular Video Game Genres: Action, Shooter, Sport Games, Role Playing, Adventure, Fighting, Racing, Strategy, Family Entertainment, Casual, Children’s Entertainment, and Arcade.  

Potential designations and prospective salaries

1. Game Designer

Job Description: Game designers are more or less the masterminds of the gaming industry. They fabricate the ideas and concepts on which games are based.

Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Game Design, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Artificial Intelligence Courses.

Salary: $45,000 - $120,000. The salary range largely depends upon the studio and seniority level.

2. Game Programmer

Job description: A game programmer creates the framework to give the designer’s ideas and concepts a life.

Requirements: Thorough knowledge of programming languages, especially C++ or a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, or Artificial Intelligence.

Salary: $72,000 - $95,000

3. Game Animator

Job Description: Game animators are responsible for bringing the characters to life. They use both 2D and 3D techniques to build the game’s persona within the present framework and production budget.

Requirements: Several online courses (free as well as paid) and YouTube videos can help one gain appreciable knowledge for modern video games and a variety of software required to become a game animator. However, a professional Bachelor’s Degree in Game Design, Artificial Intelligence Courses, and Computer Science can give you better prospects for a job.

Salary: An average of $50,000 for junior level animators, $64,000 for mid-level animators, and over $75,000 for senior-level animators.

4. QA Game Tester

Job Description: QA Game testers ensure the best gaming experience post-production. They look for possible areas for improvement; they play and test the games for any glitches or bugs to ensure that the final product is the best version of the said game.

Requirements: There is no pre-requisite for becoming a Quality Analyst, Quality Assurance Technician, or Game Tester; however, a bachelor’s degree in game design/ development or thorough knowledge of programming languages can put you on top of the recruiters’ list.

Salary: Most QA Game Testers work on freelance or project basis, and may vary anywhere from $19,000 - $22,000.

5. Game Audio Engineer

Job Description: Game audio engineers take care of the audio effects in a game - from the background soundtrack to special audio effects and voice acting.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or diploma in sound engineering is preferred but not essential; anyone with sound knowledge of audio suites like Logic, an ability to create original compositions and perform scores, and an impressive portfolio can apply for a job in the field.

Salary: $30,000 - $70,500

6. Game Artist

Job Description: Game artists are responsible for the visual and aesthetic elements of the game. They work in collaboration with animators, designers, and programmers under the supervision of a creative director. After a few years of experience, game artists are promoted to be the lead artists and the creative directors.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Game Design or Computer Science, and a strong portfolio.

Salary: Around $45,000

7. Video Game System Designer

Job Description: Video Game System Designers create the machines and consoles on which games are played.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, Industrial Design, or Artificial Intelligence Courses.

Salary: $80,000 - $100,000

8. Creative Game Director

Job description: Creative Director is the senior most position. A creative director oversees the whole developmental process to ensure that the end product is aligned to the designer’s artistic vision to give an unforgettable experience to the gamers.

Requirements: The most common path is to start as a junior Game Artist, Designer or Animator, and then climb up the ladder.

Salary: $54,000 - $81,000

9. Game PR/Game Marketer

Job description: The Game PR or marketers’ role is to spread the word about a new game to the masses. They are responsible for bringing in new customers and maintaining a good online reputation for repeat customers.

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Communications or Marketing.

Salary: Around $56,000

There are plenty of resources available to hone your skills in this field. With the rise of AI and IOT (The Internet of Things), the gaming industry is set to see a disrupting dawn soon. These disruptions are targeted towards better job creation and career moves within the industry. For starters, learning the critical components of the industry is essential and for experienced people advancing to the next level is the main agenda.

Now that you know all that it takes to become a successful game designer, go ahead and jump start your gaming career!

About the Author:

 

Vivek is the President of Consumer Revenue at UpGrad, an online education platform providing industry-oriented courses like Artificial Intelligence in collaboration with world-class institutes, some of which are MICA, IIIT Bangalore, and BITS.