Game Design and Development

Game programming involves taking the design specifications of the game designers, integrating the art and sound, and translating it all into a playable game. Doing this requires a lot of mathematics, logic and computer skills, particularly in the area of programming languages like C/C++, scripting languages and application programming interfaces or APIs.
The programming of a game is a complex endeavor and includes the following:
Mapping the terrain of the game environmentImplementing artificial intelligence for non-player charactersConnecting player input via the controller to the events happening onscreen
Its no wonder that programmers account for a huge proportion of employees at any given game studio. There are also a number of sub-specialties within game programming, which may include these (among others):
Graphics programmingNetwork programmingAI programming
A game designer differs from a programmer in that this is a much more holistic and creative career than a programming career. Game designers have an innate knowledge of what gamers want in a game, and they possess the ability to see the big picture as far as a particular game goes. They study how the game will work and flow from start to finish. Some designers have experience as programmers or as software developers, but not all have knowledge of graphic design. On the job game designers accomplish the following:
Create the structure of the game, how it will be played and what its rules will beCollaborate with all members of the team to successfully bring the game to marketDevelop the games layout, concept and gameplayCreate and manage product documentationEntry-level designers may focus on simpler tasks, such as level design or object placement in the game