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Employment For Video Game Designs

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

If you are thinking about your career and enjoy playing video games you may want to seriously consider a degree in video game design. You can find employment by designing or playing video games. Here are some employment opportunities with a video game degree.

1) Video Game Programmer They write the code for video games to work properly. It is a hard job because video game programming often entails writing complicated functions and algorithms that is usually more difficult to create than the usuall software written for business applications.

Video game programming may not be the right track for some looking for emloyment in video game design. but if you are to write code and program, why not do it for video games?

2) Video Game Tester

A job as a video game tester you would be paid for playing video games. If you are a video game junkie wouldn’t that be great employment for video game designs. What you would be doing is playing the game and look for things that don’t work properly or hard to understand because it seems it doesnt add value to the game. You would also try and crash the game to see if you could make things go wrong.

3) Video Game Animator

Animators are the ones who bring the game to life by designing the movement of the video game characters. You work hand in hand with the programmer to accomplish this task. The bottom line is they are responsible for the animation and graphics so if you are somewhat of an artist with imagination this is a great opportunity in employment for video game designs.

4) Sound Designer

Sound designers create music and the sound effects of video games.

If you have an interest in both music and sound, understand and know how to work recording equipment and be familiar with different types of music and sound effects this is another way in employment for video game designs.

5) Game Designer

Video game designers create the feel or experience of the video game that make it fun and exciting to play.

Video game designers should have an interest in video games and some artistic and programming skills.

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Video Game Design Requires Multiple Talents

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

If you’re a fan of video games, you may have thought about video game design as a career. What may surprise you is that this career requires a set of skills far beyond a love of games and a knack for using computers and video gaming systems.

Developing video games is a cost and time intensive process that draws on a variety of skills and talents that may surprise you. In fact, most developers with successful games under their belts are artistic and have good writing skills as well as a solid background in computer programming and design. If you are considering a career in video game design, consider the many aspects of game design and think about which area you would excel at:

Game Concept Design

This is an early phase of the process and is done primarily by writers and game concept specialists. These are the individuals who create the parameters for the game such as the overall goal or objective, what type of skills will be used in the game, etc. If you’ve ever thought you had an awesome game idea or felt that you could have improved on a game you’ve played, you might want to go into game concept design.

Game play and rules also fall under the concept area. No video game can be played without particular guidelines and rules. These can be quite complex; designers who are good at understanding and applying a variety of regulations as well as developing new ones are in high demand. Creativity is also needed so that rules can be both interesting and rational within the parameters of the game.

Layout and 3D Modeling

If you enjoy photo manipulation, Computer Aided Drafting and Design and artwork, you may like working on layout and design. Some companies hire individuals strictly to do backgrounds or characters for games in order to give a game a particular style or ensure realism. This aspect of video game design is what can give a stellar game a distinctive look and feel that inspires a great fan following.

Object placement is a part of layout that is primarily associated with the proper placement of significant objects that may have special powers, provide a key to the next level or a game or reveal a key secret to advancement. Some larger companies have individuals who focus on this sub-category of game layout.

Scripting and Plot Development

The dialogue and actions of characters in complex video games can make or break the success of the game. Scripting is the part of video game design that develops the actual dialogue for characters and keeps the action moving forward. Awkward or unrealistic scripting can be a death sentence, so scripters are central to the design of the game. This is similar to writing the script for a movie or play, so writing skills and an understanding of dialogue and character are essential.

Proper plotting moves the story forward and, like scripting, relies heavily on understanding human nature, motives and character. A plot in a video game may be incidental to the action. However, some games are becoming increasingly plot driven, but it must make sense and follow a recognizable and interesting thread that will keep gamers interested.

New Degrees Combine Skills

Because video game design has taken off in recent years and is now a billion dollar industry, the need for good designers is increasing. In the past, a game design team might have included writers with liberal arts degrees, artists and computer programmers who had to pull it all together. Today there are many colleges and universities that offer specialized video game design degrees. These degrees are valuable because they cover the many skill sets needed for success in the business. These skills include scripting, 3D art, story development, content development and animation by combining elements of several different disciplines into one comprehensive degree focusing on the needs of the video game design industry.

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The Evolution Of Video Game Design

Saturday, January 9th, 2010

It all began with Atari. Established in 1972, Atari started the revolution of not only video arcade games, but home video game consoles and home computer games as well. Game systems and video games have come a long way since the first Atari came out. Every year, new games and game systems are being established. Each system has bigger and better graphics than the next and each try to incorporate new and innovate features to out do competitors. Video game design is constantly changing, and allows designers to have the freedom and creativity to come up with systems and games most people could never even dream up.

The video game industry is full of competition all across the board. There are technology companies competing to have the best game system on the market that game enthusiasts are going to crave to have. Then there are game companies who are competing to have the best game out there by incorporating life-like graphics and new features. Video game design has come a long way from the days of Atari and it does not look like the industry is going to slow down any day soon.

The competitive market of video game systems is saturated with top name electronic companies. Companies such as Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo and Sega make up the most popular video game system companies in the United States. All four have distinct video game consoles with innovative graphics and features. These companies come out with game systems every year trying to out do the current systems that are already on the market. Each company has a full range of employees specializing in video game design to make their product better than any other.

The popularity of these game systems is evident around Black Friday and Christmas time, or even when a new system is about to be released. Most recently when Nintendo was coming out with it’s Wii game system, avid gamers camped out for days in front of the nearest Target or Wal-Mart, hoping to get their hands on one of only a few systems to be released. The same can be said for the new Sony Playstation system that was recently released. With the popularity of these game systems, it makes a degree in video game design that much more appealing.

Colleges all across the nation are jumping on the video game design bandwagon. Programs in animation, digital design, game design and computer technology are mainstreaming their way into the classroom. These programs are designed to give students an insight into the gaming world and give them the tools and skills necessary to be successful in designing games. There are a lot of factors that go into designing a game, which makes this career field challenging, but exciting at the same time. These skills include game coding, computer technology, animation, graphic design and many other factors that are essential to creating game systems and video games.

A career in video game design allows students to tap into their creativity to craft new worlds and characters. Upon completion of a degree program, students will have the skills and knowledge necessary to create these games. Students will gain knowledge in story development, project management, digital content creation and artistic design. Advanced classes in 3D modeling, animation and game content development round out the skills necessary to be successful in designing video games. Students will gain enough knowledge and experience to produce a portfolio that will showcase their video game design talent. With students completing animation programs every year, the video game industry will never be the same.

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Draw Up A Future With Video Game Design

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

If there is one area that technology has enhanced by leaps and bounds it is the world of video game design. With stunning effects and graphics, video games are more popular than ever. Just when it seems they can’t get any better, something comes along that allows them to continue to amaze and astonish many with lifelike detail and captivating features.

Those who enter this field not only love video games but also have a great respect for all that goes into creating them. Behind every great game there are a number of elements that work together to create a mind-blowing end product. A lacking in any one of these elements can mean the difference between a game that flies off the shelves and a game that barely makes it off the clearance rack.

More than anything, video game design consists of teamwork. From concept to finished product, individuals trained in graphic design, computer animation, marketing and public relations are only a few of the job titles associated with this type of career. Each has their own various skills that are not only beneficial but also crucial to the production of video games.

As the popularity of technology and video games skyrocket with no end in sight, many educational institutions have begun offering courses in video game design and animation. Students can learn how to create games, develop software, use animation mathematics and master coding languages. These state of the art skills provide a well-rounded education in order to prepare one for a career in the real world of video games.

The amount of high tech skills in this field is likely to require a Bachelor’s degree in order to be considered for basic entry-level positions. A Bachelor’s degree will give the fundamental knowledge of the field and can require as little as three years to obtain. With time and experience, one can then move up and branch out on their career path with further education.

With a Master’s degree one will not only have high-level software programming and design under their belt but the ability to oversee the coordination of large productions. While the head of a division faces large responsibilities and challenges, their training gives them all the skills they need to effectively handle the development process from start to finish. It is a career that is highly challenging but just as satisfying and rewarding.

Those with degrees in video game design can count on a good starting salary that only gets stronger with time and experience. The more skills under one’s belt, the better their income will be. Employers in the video game industry are always looking to be the best and can only do so by hiring those with the top skills.

As technology constantly evolves this field in and out of different phases, one must have a flexible personality that can roll with the inevitable changes. It is also a field that is competitive, requiring individuals to have a winning attitude. Because of the amount of computer programming that is involved, a person interested in this field can expect to update and learn new skills on a regular basis.

Those interested in video game design have the benefit of knowing theirs is a career choice that shows no sign of slowing down. As new technologies combine, individuals in this vocation have the very opportunity to be at the forefront of shaping part of a population’s culture. Despite the fact that video games have become a billion dollar industry, elements of video game history have managed to become a unique reflection of the times and the world we live in.

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Breaking Into The Video Game Design Field

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

If you’re a dedicated gamer, you’ve probably said more than once, “I should go into video game design, I could make stuff even cooler than this!” In fact, there is currently a great demand for individuals in the video game industry, but not everyone who loves to play games can successfully design them. There is a big gap between knowing what makes a great game and being able to actually design a game that fits those criteria.

The current demand for video game design experts is why more colleges than ever are offering courses in computer game design and computer animation studies under various titles. The best courses offer a degree that thoroughly covers everything from the basics of computer animation to game script development.

Education Plus Personality Equals Success in Video Game Design

Today’s game design companies are looking for a combination of talents and knowledge that can only come from experience and education with a good dash of the right kind of personality as well. Some people are avid gamers but simply don’t have the dedication and attention to detail that is necessary to become a designer, while others have the creative personality, attention to detail and striking concepts but have never bothered to get the educational background required to hit the ground running. There are several things that are key to success in video game design, including:

A background in computer animation and game design

This is where a solid college education comes in. Because the industry is constantly changing, you need a degree from an accredited university that keeps up with changes in the industry and has experienced professionals teaching the courses. You need to understand and be able to execute the steps of animation and design from the inside out to be successful.

Discipline and attention to detail

There is so much more to video game design than just having a great concept. You need to be able to develop detailed, precise flow charts for different levels and possible outcomes and be able to precisely structure the theme and mission of a game concept. Continuity, clean execution and flawless design are all the result of discipline and attention to detail.

Understanding of character and story development

In other words, you can’t just be all action oriented. A good college course will have courses that help you develop story structure and individualize characters so that they aren’t simply “cardboard stereotypes.” The uniqueness of each character and story can make or break a video game design, so be sure you’ve learned these skills.

Script writing

You can design the action, but you must also tell the story. If you are going to get a degree that relates to video game design and/or computer animation (both excellent choices), check out the curriculum to be sure you will learn script writing. Additionally, it may be a good idea to take a course or two in creative writing to further hone your skills. It also helps if you’re an avid reader who enjoys fantasy and adventure.

If you have the personal characteristics you can attend a good college that teaches you the right skills. Look for one that offers a good range of animation and gaming courses and includes the development of a complete portfolio. The portfolio is an indication that you will leave being able to complete a gaming project and that you will have a concrete example of your work for prospective employers to review. From there, your career in video game design will take flight.

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Animation And Game Design Going To The Movies

Friday, August 21st, 2009

Animation and game design have, for the most part, fallen into two categories in the past. You either worked on animation for children’s movies or you focused on animation for video games. Today, however, many young animators are realizing that their opportunities are becoming much more diverse as the movie graphic novel and video gaming industries have begun to overlap.

Merging of Media

Today more and more video games are becoming movies. Successes in the last decade include Doom, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and Tomb Raider. All of these movies were based on popular video games that had been created by animation and gaming professionals. The movie directors discovered that, in order to maintain the look and feel of the games, they had to get to know these games inside and out. They often called on game design experts as consultants to help them achieve this. There are few people as loyal as gaming enthusiasts, so capturing the proper look and feel was essential to the success of these films.

Graphic novels, a writing genre known for its highly graphic illustrative style, have also spawned movies recently. The two most notable are Sin City and 300, both based on violent, action-packed graphic novels. In both instances, the movies were directed with actors but relied heavily on computer graphics, computer design and, in some instances, animation, to enhance particular scenes and enrich the details. The success of these two movies in turn created video games based on the movies (which were based on graphic novels)…are you seeing the pattern now? Anyone with animation and game design credentials these days can go into a wide range of fields, not just game design. When the genres overlap, so do job opportunities.

Where the Talent Lies – Animation and Game Design

Hollywood is also producing more animated movies that ever before for family consumption. Cars, A Bug’s Life, Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Happy Feet, and the list goes on. Disney Studios continue to produce the traditional “princess” movies, but a dozen other studios also produce quality animation.

While a generation ago animation was done using thousands of artist’s sketches put together to create action, today’s animated movies are created with computer animation, and individuals with Animation and Game Design degrees are hot properties. Studios know that those with game design experience have an understanding of the complexities of movement, from the way the wind ruffles your hair to how someone lands when they fall, that no one else can match. Gamers are tough customers. They expect realism and accuracy and they get it. This has translated into increasing attention to detail in animated films. The more sophisticated the audience becomes, the more these industries have to work at giving the public what it wants.

The Future of Animation and Game Design

With the growing overlap of so many genres of entertainment, graphic novels, movies and video games, it is obvious that the need for professionals with both animation and game design skills will only increase. Whether you want to work in Silicon Valley or Hollywood, a degree in some kind of animation and game design area will get your foot in the door.

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Cool School: Video Game Design

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Imagine getting a degree in something that is so cool, so fun, it’s hard to believe it is part of a school program. There are online programs now that specialize in video game design, and the degree is becoming a popular major for many students around the world. Earning a degree in this field can lead to great job opportunities, and allow one to have an unbelievable amount of fun. Earning a degree in video game design is not hard, and in fact many online colleges are offering classes currently, and plan on offering more in the future.

Getting a degree in video game design one will learn all about creating a video game. This means that one will engage in graphic design, mapping of the landscape for the game, and more graphic work. Further, those gaining a degree will surely work on soundtrack creation and implementation, as well as creating, and implementing sound effects. Those that take video game design courses should also expect to create a storyboard, or story line for the video game that is being created. Imagine creating a unique story that will be implemented into a video game that millions of people will engage in each year. This is what people that earn video game design degrees are doing every day.

As a video game design major one will also take general education classes that are offered to help people gain a diverse education. General education classes typically include English, math, history, and some type of science course. These classes will of course make up the bulk of any video game design major’s schedule. The classes should keep people busy enough, but there are also other things a video game design student can do while in school.

Part of taking classes in such a unique major is spreading the word, and helping to get insight on the newest technology available. It is not far fetched to imagine many students logging on to online forums, and discussing the latest in technology. These industry specific discussion forums are also the perfect place to share the great benefits of the video game design program that you are currently enrolled in.

Getting a degree in video game design can lead to some very exciting careers. Think about the fact that designing a video game could be your day job. Playing video games all day long will no longer be a bad thing for you to do. In fact, when you have a degree in video game design, it will be called work. Those that are involved in this career will be able to express themselves in great ways, as well as earn a nice income. Video game publishers are always looking for new qualified graduates to help them with their design needs. It is predicted in the next 10 years video game sales will out number the amount of home movie sales per year. With the increasing interest in this field, it is no surprise that video game design graduates are in demand on the market today.

Is it time for you to think about getting a degree in video game design? If you love to play video games, and smile at the idea of being paid to play, getting a degree in video game design might be the right step for you.

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Getting Lively With Animation And Game Design

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

If it weren’t for the advances in technology so prevalent in animation and game design, who knows if video games would be as wildly popular as they are today. The outstanding, nearly life like visuals enhance the game playing experience like never before. The best part is there is no end in sight for the advances to animation and technology.

Year after year, video games come out with stunning graphics that, when combined with a great storyline, pull players deeper into the game. Not many even stop to think about all that goes into creating these stunning visual effects. The truth is that without the concentrated efforts of a group of passionate individuals, the game would not likely exist at all.

Those who opt for an education in animation and game design are typically those who have a great love and respect for video games. It is an education that peels back the layers and teaches students how video games are made from concept to finished package. Students can take their greatest interest, combine it with their skills and end up with a career that excites and challenges them like no other.

It would only make sense that those who have a love for video games would be the best minds behind the most revolutionary games available. Their passion mixed with skills and imagination is what takes the world of video games to new heights. These individuals also have a knack for finding the solution to every puzzle.

No matter how much a person loves video games, a career that uses so much technology will entail a great deal of in depth training. Basic entry-level positions into the field are likely to require earning a Bachelor’s degree. With as little as 3 years of study in some programs, a person can learn all the necessary fundamentals and be on their way to the job of their dreams.

Many students enjoy the opportunity for hands on learning with this type of education. There is nothing better than applying the knowledge one receives and seeing it in action. This builds confidence in ability and a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

With technology constantly evolving the way it is, it is important that students learn all the latest skills. This is why opting for accredited programs regularly examined and approved by a certified educational committee are a best bet. A well-rounded course helps students learn everything from CAD with 3D applications to networking and private marketing.

Another bonus of an accredited program is that of financial aid. As many fear the burden of tuitions and fees, this can help make the choice to pursue a degree in this field much easier. Those who qualify can look forward to getting started on the right path almost immediately.

Once a student begins their education in animation and game design, they may be pleasantly surprised to learn how many different aspects there are to branch out into. It is not uncommon for prospective students to start out in one area of interest and end up in another. With so many different choices and directions, there is little chance for getting stuck in a rut.

For those already in the world of animation and game design, furthering one’s education is the key to taking on greater roles and a higher earning potential. Those who work as the head of a department will have an opportunity to be involved in nearly every aspect of game development. They must also have people skills in order to know how to help individuals work together in a smooth and cooperative fashion.

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Game Design And Innovation

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

If you want to get into the field of game design, you will need to have more than just an idea. Ideas are not worth anything by themselves. The reason for this is because it is very easy to come up with game ideas, practically anyone can think of game ideas- they are a dime a dozen these days. It all comes down to implementing your idea well. You will need to have a design document ready for your game, you cannot just jump right in and work on your game. Planning is a must in the world of game design, if you fail to plan, you are most certainly planning to fail.

What to do when the initial design isn’t fun?

First, start off with some initial planning about your game. Determine the roles characters play, the game mechanics and rules, and what the overall objective of the game would be. Try to make your game different from games that already exist; avoid direct clones. It is okay to design a game inspired by an existing game, but try to add your own twist to it.

A problem may arise however: What if, after you’ve actually implemented what you have planned, the game is not as fun as you thought it would be? Sure, it sounds fun on paper, but it can end up completely different than what you expected.

A good solution to this problem is to hire some testers that will play your game and give you opinions of it. You may have gone through several gameplay revamps of your games, and you should test them after each iteration to see if players are actually thinking it is fun. Thus, the final game may end up quite different than planned.

Is your game innovative enough?

Do you think that is it absolutely required to be innovative? Innovation is a bit overrated; the overall fun of the game is more important than innovation is. Even if you have a list of zany or weird ideas that you want to implement, they may not turn out to be that fun in the end most of the time.

After all, gamers are continuing to buy the titles with huge roman numerals after them, and you seldom hear complaints that “this game isn’t innovative enough”. Although one should avoid direct clones of other games, there maybe is such a thing as trying too hard to be innovative and not worrying about the fun factor.

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Video Game Design Careers Are Hot Due To Exploding Game Sales

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Video game sales are booming around the world. According to The NPD Group, a market research organization that tracks computer and video game sales, sales of video games and equipment for the games rose 31percent in July 2007, when compared to sales in July 2006. In June of 2007 sales for video games were $1.1 billion in the US alone, representing a dramatic 35 percent increase from the previous month. NPD revealed that video game sales in Canada were $498 million in July 2007, a 61 percent rise over the same time the previous year. These statistics show that a career in video game design is hot right now. The market is exploding, and so are career options in the field.

A degree in video game design can literally help you shape whole worlds, worlds in which avid gamers will enjoy spending many hours in. Gamers love their games, and being able to create video game realms that appeal to this market is very rewarding. Top games have hordes of fans who discuss the games, create artwork in appreciation of their favorite games and even write about their favorite characters. By pursuing a career in this exciting field, you may literally not only be creating an entertainment product, but you may be changing someone’s life.

A video game design degree is also very exciting to pursue. As part of your degree, you will learn to create characters, build story lines, make entire virtual worlds, and much more. You will learn how to design games that gamers will adore and you will learn how to animate entire worlds of characters so that they look as realistic as possible. With today’s technology, there has never been a more exciting time to enter this field. The graphics are so advanced that only your own imagination is the limit for what you can create.

As you pursue your video game design degree, you will also learn about artistic design, project management, 3D modeling, and game content development. You will learn how to create digital content for your games. If you attend a quality school while pursuing your degree you will also get plenty of hands-on experience and help in developing your portfolio. That way, by the time you graduate you will not only have the skills and industry knowledge you need to land a great job, but you will have a portfolio to show prospective employers.

If you have always been creative and have loved creating art, now is a very exciting time to pursue a career in your field. Thanks to hot video game design jobs, you don’t have to be a starving artist. You can pursue your passion for art while landing excellent jobs. With systems such as PlayStation 2, Wii and Xbox generating plenty of media attention as well as many loyal customers, companies are on the lookout for hot new games for their systems. This means that there is a real need for talented and creative designers right now.

If you love games or love art and want to create entire virtual worlds, a career in video game design may be for you. There is a current demand for talented designers, so entering the field is easy if you have a good degree and a good portfolio. Enroll in a degree program that teaches you to build characters, stories, and worlds and learn the skills necessary for animation and you will have the knowledge you need for a great career. Pursue a degree with hands-on experience and portfolio building, and you will leave school prepared to attract employers to your skill.

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