With the advent of ‘digital,’ everything has changed, even the gaming industry: today, video games are not just a pastime but a real expanding business. For this reason, the Game Designer embodies a very important figure, destined to assume ever greater importance. Let’s see who the Game Designer is and what he does.
What Are Your Professional Goals?
The Game Designer is responsible for generating the “fun factor” of the video game: his main objective is to create the best possible game, considering certain elements, such as the target audience and the medium for which the game is designed (pc, console, smartphones, web).
What Duties Does He Cover?
It must be presumed that the Game Designer, especially in large companies, works in teams with other professionals responsible for creating the actual game (for example, graphics, level designers, and programmers). His work can be summarized in a few passages. The first phase includes defining the game contents and developing an idea to design a coherent game system involving the user. Subsequently, the Game Designer produces documentation to share the idea with the rest of the team and discuss the feasibility and conditions of implementation.
Once the game’s production has started, he will test the prototypes and judge the realization of the technical and playful aspects, giving indications to the developers to improve the initial idea and optimize the product. In smaller realities, the Game Designer can personally carry out all the functions, from the construction of the game environments (usually entrusted to the level designer) to the programming, to the collection of statistical data on the use of the game.
What Are The Skills He Must Have?
A Game Designer must first master the dynamics, structure, and rules of traditional and classic video games. He should know the basics of programming and some graphic tools, such as Photoshop and Illustrator, but also have some notions of mathematics and statistics (for any data analysis and to balance the game components). Strong creativity and excellent knowledge of the English language are also essential.
What Is The Most Suitable Training Path?
There is no specific path to becoming a Game Designer. Basic training can be scientific or humanistic, but the most suitable course of study is undoubtedly a degree in Computer Science. Naturally, since it is a very technical and practical profession, apprenticeship also plays a fundamental role in the training path of a Game Designer. For example, you may start by gaining experience as a tester or gameplay programmer.
Where Does He Work?
The Game Designer can work as a freelancer but often works within large or small companies that design and prototype video games for PCs and consoles. It can operate within start-ups, software design studios, and companies specialized in design, but also in companies that produce games in general (not only video but also traditional). As seen in the paragraph dedicated to his duties, depending on the size of the reality in which he works, he can be supported by other professionals or work alone.
How Much Can He Earn?
Depending on the reality in which he is employed, a Game Designer can roughly perceive a RAL between 30,000 and 45,000.
What Are The Prospects For Professional Growth?
The main growth perspective for the Game Designer’s career is certainly to be identified in the experience gained in the field, which leads him to the possibility of being involved in prestigious projects. Furthermore, specialization in a particular field of game design can be considered a possible evolution.
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