There is a lot of creativity in the work of a game designer, but at the same time there is a clear production process. You can't just decide that the main character is going to be a wolf, for example. You have to justify it. You have to answer a number of questions, such as
Why will the wolf be the main character? What connects it to the other characters?
What makes the wolf unique?
What is his background? What is this wolf for, and what is going on around him?
All of this lore is necessary to keep people interested in following the character.
A game designer must not only be able to create, but also to do calculations, balance sheets, etc. It is necessary to constantly analyse what projects are currently on the market, what genres and games are TOP in different countries. In addition, a game designer has to play himself. This is necessary to understand what "chips" attract people to games.
Computer games are very popular with children and young people. Many adults also like to spend time in virtual worlds. Some people also earn money by playing games. Professional gamers receive six-figure sums for winning tournaments. Today in the Magenta Favorita IT blog we will talk about those who create computer games. We are going to talk about game designers.
Creativity, analysis and maths A game designer is a specialist who designs a game from start to finish. They are a kind of director in the world of games. A game designer describes how a game should look, work, sound, make money and so on. He or she is responsible for the entire process of creating the game, and coordinates the work of the development team. The game designer completely determines the development path of a computer game and what kind of product the user will get. They work with scriptwriters, programmers, level designers, 3D artists, composers, actors and other participants in the process.
A game designer's responsibilities include
Creating or selecting an idea for a game and creating a game concept;
Drafting a document that outlines the entire game and the process for its production - the game design document. Its approval by the publisher;
Designing the game rules and gameplay;
Write the story and create the characters;
Adjusting the game balance;
Analysis of game processes and monetisation;
Managing the production of the game during the alpha stage. Release a demo version of the game;
Actively participate in testing the beta and final versions of the product. Monitor and analyse user testing;
Manage the launch of the game - release and bug fixing, release of updates.
Required qualities, knowledge and skills The two most important skills of a game designer are being able to communicate your thoughts quickly and clearly to your colleagues, and creating a game design document that everyone can understand. This document will be constantly referred to by the entire team working on the project. Throughout the product development process, the game design document needs to be constantly modified and improved. It must be written in such a way that every team member can easily navigate through it and understand what it is all about.
What other skills and qualities are important in the work of a game designer?
In-depth knowledge of everything to do with computer games; extensive experience as a gamer;
Knowledge of programming, physics, maths, design;
Creativity, good imagination, well-developed spatial thinking;
Analytical mind;
Ability to calculate and evaluate your ideas;
Organisational skills;
Communication skills, ability to present your thoughts in a consistent and structured way.