It’s All In the Games

Who hasn’t played computer games these days? And, who doesn’t like to play computer games? There are games for people of all ages and all kinds of people. If playing computer games on a computer can be so interesting, imagine how interesting it would be to sit down and design them. And, what could be more exciting for a computer game enthusiast than being paid to design their own computer games? In fact, for almost every serious gamer, designing  games may seem like a dream job.

The Games People Play

 Playing games allows people to escape from reality, enjoy a bit of fantasy, and refresh their minds with new images, thoughts, and perspectives. Just like escaping into a book, nowadays people of all ages love to engage in a good game to relax  and rejuvenate;  and they  will never feel bored with their games, because before they can there are new options on the market for them-depending on their mood.

 Options

There are many, many jobs within the cycle of creating a game. Typically the people involved in this process are Game Designers, Animators, Programmers, Testers, and Graphic Designers. Other parts of gaming are rendering, database systems, online/multiplayer options, and tools etc which are smaller but still are important areas of game development.

The different jobs include:

 Design: Level Designer, Game Designer, Senior Level Designer, and Lead Animator, User Interface Artist, Environment Artist, Games Writers, Graphic Designers, Audio Creators, Game Testers.

Game Designer/ artist creates art for games that are played on computers, mobile phones or gaming consoles. They create video games and online games, using techniques in illustration and animation, 3D and 2D design, storytelling, graphic design, web design, interactive media, digital production and more. They decide on storyboard with skills in Math, Complex Systems, and Artificial Intelligence and tries to make the gaming experience fascinating for the end user. Animators use graphic and art design software and tools (VB, Maya etc) to create a 2D/3D landscape of game itself.

They are responsible for all aspects of game development where visual art is required.

Concept Artists create the initial look of the game. They  formulate the concept and vision for a game, draw the characters, clothes, cars and other elements. They devise the world, setting, story, characters, and all other game elements and design details. They then communicate this to the rest of the development team who create the art assets and computer code which allow the game to be played. They use graphic design, animation, and coding techniques to bring interactive games to life. They are often required to have strong leadership and communications skills as well as a great sense of what makes a game fun to play. They may be asked to design, programme, document, tune, and balance games. Software skill requirements may vary depending on the job, but talent and experience for hip game trends is a universal necessity. The designer works hand in hand with the writer, coming in with game play - essentially the systems and experiences that the player's character goes through.

Opportunities

There are few concept art positions making this a competitive job path to pursue. Taking courses that specialize in this style of art could be really beneficial, however, having experience and skill are most important. Designing a portfolio with a collection of your best works will aid you in getting a job as a concept/storyboard artist.

With new technologies — mobile phones, networking sites — offering gaming facilities, game artists are more in demand for their creative inputs that programmers, in a game development team.

Game Writer: develops the world and the plot, characters writing the characters' dialog and the branching storyline.

  Game writers, game designers and concept artists  inspire the design process that follows.

Opportunities

This career path requires someone able to translate a concept into a full-fledged world. They come to the table and say, "I imagine a dragon that looks like this and characters with different traits and powers."

Good backgrounds for writers to have include familiarity with literature or an education in history and ancient civilizations. They have a very vivid literary imagination and can create that world.

Character Artists & Animators  begin the process of making the characters come to life in 3D.

 Programming: Programmers, Engineers, Audio Engineer, Graphics Engineers, Network Programmer.

Programmers  are the brains behind it all. Not to be confused with a game designer,  they work on what makes the video game run. A game programmer is someone who actually implements the game on the computer, turning the ideas and designs into an actual executable programme. Game Testers come into play when the bugs in the codes have to be detected and fixed before the game can be released for public usage.

Programming a game is a very complex job. There are more than one type of programmer, each specializing in a specific type of programming. There are game engine programmers, physics engine programmers, graphics engine programmers, artificial intelligence programmers, sound programmers, etc.

Opportunities

The more artistically-inclined individuals can pursue a career in Game Art and Design, lending their hand in creating characters and crafting game worlds. People who are comfortable working with code and getting into the real structure of the games can get their education in Game Software Development.

When you become a computer games programmer, you can find lots of opportunities in the computer game design industry. Programmers with a few popular games behind them, can expect to earn large salaries, plus get more input into any projects, in terms of ideas.

Professional Skills:

It’s not easy to be a game designer. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication – but more than that it needs a genuine interest and the passion to become one and create something that is out of the world!

 They  must be able to design games that are appropriate for different audiences and that appeal to a range of demographics. They  should also have a working knowledge of programming, fine art, framing, and even software development. 

F Professional Testers: Getting paid to play video and computer  games is a dream job indeed. And, although it seems easy, there are technical aspects to this job. Games testers  are given guidelines, deadlines and specific feedback that needs to be provided to the game publishers regularly. Although you are having fun you have to keep in mind that you are working and stay on track.

Opportunities

Game testing jobs aren’t easy to find make sure to let publishers know who you are and keep up your search until you find the job you‘ve been looking for. Making a resume aimed at getting this job is a good idea. Experience is key.

F Others: Computer Game Producer, Quality Assurance, Associate Producer, and Game Tester

Process

Creating a game is a complex process with multiple teams working on it. It involves Game Design, Development & Testing. It hence needs a wide array of computer and people skills along with the passion for virtual reality. The process of Game Design starts with deciding on what kind of genre the game would be i.e the theme of the Game itself (Action, Strategy, Adventure etc).  After the genre is decided, the storyboard of the game is decided with its characters, environment, backgrounds etc., and the entire landscape of the game is chalked out.

Once there is clarity in the landscape programmememers, animators and designers come in. The entire coding of the game is done on different platforms depending on the device for which the game is being developed. When the codes are ready they are checked for bugs with testers coming in and simulating the written codes and after this entire process is completed the game is marketed.

Trial and Error

Game developers are constantly experimenting to see how changes to a given component of the game, impact game play. The aim is to decide whether doing something one way will make a game more fun to play than doing it another way.

They keep making the changes over and over and over. If figuring out all those little changes sounds like fun, then it may be for you. People who put music in the game need to think about making beautiful music, and people who put the art in the game need to be able to think about making beautiful art.

Game development programmes are growing and are certainly a good introduction into how games function. Some of the programmes definitely turn out some very capable talent, but the dilemma with them goes back to the  depth of knowledge.

Education

To be successful game designer, aspirants must obtain   a relevant degree. A diploma or bachelor’s degree can be obtained at vocational schools. While graduate and post graduate degrees are offered at art and design schools and at traditional universities. More technical careers in animation, Game Design or Interactive Entertainment do require some training - that education can be earned through vocational training programmes or a four-year degree.

While pursuing a technical degree such as animation, potential game developers should also pursue an education in other aspects of game development.

 In the syllabus  you will learn skills like 3D design, digital production, character development and animation, storytelling, layout, audience interaction, editing and even market research.

Art and design schools may have more resources and professional contacts to offer students than vocational schools. Earning a certificate from a game design programme will provide an excellent foundation, but it is only one component. Another is being able to show a potential employer what you are capable of through a portfolio.

Courses

These days, a college degree is more important than not having one, but a track record is more important still. If you have a portfolio that wows people, then you'll get hired.

The following  degrees  can be obtained

.BFA/MFA in visual communication

. B.Sc in Animation & VFX

. B.Sc in Animation & Gaming

. M.Sc in VFX (Major) & Animation

. M.Sc in Animation (Major) & VFX

. B. Sc in Animation & VFX

. B.Sc Animation & Gaming

. M. Sc in VFX (Major) & Animation

. M. Sc in Animation (Major) & VFX

. Professional Diploma in Visual Effects (VFX)

. Professional Diploma Series

. Professional Diploma in Game Art

. Professional Diploma in Live Action Film Making

.Specialisation Diploma with VFX / Animation / Game Art

Art & Digital Foundation with Editing & Compositing, 

Matte Painting

.Professional Diploma in Visual Effects (VFX)

.Professional Diploma in 3D Animation

.Professional Diploma in Game Art

.Advanced Diploma in Animation Multimedia & Game Design

.Professional Diploma in Character Animation & VFX

.Certificate Programme  in 2D Animation (Flash)

.Certificate Programme in Game Designing

.Certificate Programme in Web & Graphic Design

.Certificate Course in Visual Effects And Compositing

Each module of Game Design needs different set of skills. A few are listed below:

 . Game Development & Design – Skills in Mathematics/CS with skills in Programming languages, Complex Systems, artificial intelligence, 3D Rendering, 3D animation.

.  Animation - solid foundation of animation related mathematics and physics, C++, and vertex/skeletal animation skills, 3D graphics Programming, and data compression.

. Testing - knowledge of games and a passion for game development along with C++ or other Programming language skills.

. Game Art & Graphics - deep understanding of visual effects and animation techniques, 3D Programming, Modelling Packages.

. Handhelds/Portable Electronic Game Development - Java Programming /development (J2ME experience a plus), C/C++ Programming /development (BREW experience a plus), and a deep understanding of XML.

Eligibility

The eligibility for these  post graduate courses  is,  Bachelor Degree in Computer Science/Maths with a very good knowledge of Programming languages (C++. Python), Problem Solving in 3D Math and most of all the passion for gaming itself.

Practical Skills& Experience

Potential game designers  certainly  need practical  experience. You first need to be a gamer.  What type of gamer and how much you game can probably depend, but it's very difficult, if not impossible, to understand game design without being an experienced game player. The best game designers are those who invariably spend most of their time playing games. It's very difficult, if not impossible, to really understand game design, game development, write dialogue, etc., without being an experienced game player. Most of the top writers [have] almost invariably spent an awful lot of time playing games. In other words, the more immersed you are as a game player, the more skilled you'll be in your chosen game development field,"

This means that , the more experienced a gamer, a person is, the more capable and skilled they will be as a game designer or game writer.

 Remember: You don't just have one story. You have many stories, depending on the type of game it is. So the game designer's job is to develop the game experience, or game play that character will have, depending on the choices that a gamer makes.

Unless you've played a lot of games, it is very difficult for aspiring game designers or writers  to even  begin to imagine [what] all the potential outcomes or systems might look like, and understand the game play potential in that world."

People with good education and training but little first-hand experience may have a difficult time competing in the job market. If you haven't played a lot of games but want to be a game designer, you're not going to have the depth of practical knowledge or experience that someone who has been playing the games will have.

 You can try, but the reality is that you will have a very tough time  since you are not going to be knowledgeable enough about all the styles of game play that are possible, unless you've played games regularly and avidly  for at least five, 10 or 15 years.

Prospective game designers should also have  the experience  of creating other types of games.  This is imperative as Game designers need to be able to answer the question, "What do I want this game to be like," and then figure out how they can make that possible. It's something not everyone wants to do because it requires a lot of difficult thinking and experimenting.

They should have an understanding of what it is truly like to create a game. A good way to get started is to explore making other kinds of games. Have you ever made a card game or a board game? Anybody can make those. Anyone can sit down and make a new card game in 30 minutes? If you don't enjoy doing that, you're probably not going to be too interested in making computer games.

Aspiring Game designers  must be technologically savvy.  They  must be able  to unlearn and relearn to keep up with fast-evolving technology. This involves presenting their ideas both verbally and on paper, for which they need writing and basic visual design and drawing skills. They should also be reasonably fluent in a range of 2D and 3D graphics and animation packages, such as 3D Studio Max or Maya.

They must also be able to work in a team, because no one can create a game on one’s own- To create a good quality  product, co-ordination with many people  is required. Game development is a collaborative process involving multi-disciplinary teams. Designers must be able to communicate their vision to artists, programmers, producers, marketing staff, and others involved in the development process, and accept feedback on their work.

Good technical knowledge is required, with some Programming skills at least at ‘scripting’ level and awareness of the various games platforms and technologies. This is a multi-skilled role, requiring:

 And, above all, to become a computer game designer  you  must have an innate  aesthetic  sense and creative talents. These include:

thorough understanding of game play theory;

.storytelling and narrative development skills;

.information design and user interface design skills;

.excellent communication and presentation skills;

. the ability to work as part of a team and independently;

.systematic and strategic thinking;

. imagination and creativity;

. knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety .legislation and procedures.

.Training and qualifications

Lack of imagination and creativity will  be a designer’s doom.   The truth though bitter is best swallowed early. If you have a great imagination, the next thing you should be good at, is communicating your idea. You need not be born with this gift but make sure you do acquire it. However exciting your game idea may be, it's no use if the person across the table doesn't see it the way you do.

Caution

Aspiring game designers won't be successful in this field unless they  are the best of the best to land a job at a top gaming company, though internships could be a great way to get in the door.  If your stuff is mediocre, you may never find steady work, even if you send out a thousand demo-reels.

If you have developed your drawing ability for a number of years and worked hard in your programme, you will be in pretty good shape. Also, when new technologies emerge, designers will also have to incorporate more high-tech ways of developing realistic games for consumers.

Financial Gains

Salaries are fairly low for starters, at about Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 a month, because the Indian gaming industry hasn’t matured as yet. With time and experience, however, you can expect considerable hikes.

After three or four years, you can become a senior game artist and get paid around Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 a month. After spending seven to eight years in this line, you can graduate to the level of Art Director or Senior Art Director at which positions, salaries are much higher, i.e. about Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000 a month

Prospects  

Unlike some career fields, game design never reaches a point where it's grown to its limit or full potential. Technology continues to evolve-and with it, new people and ideas are continually embraced. Each year, top game design companies release hundreds of new games, accessories, and console attachments, and more game designers will be needed to keep up with this trend. Large design firms or small - there will be no shortage of game design jobs for quite a while.

 Hence, the future will only be brighter for  game designers as the industry expands, and with the fun that video and computer games provide, there is no end to the expansion possible.

The top jobs will usually require a bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions, but if you have an associate’s degree plus a lot of practical experience, then you may be qualified as well. Because the game design industry is so competitive, going back to school or taking refresher classes may be necessary to stay cutting edge. A graduate level degree may also be useful if you want to become a producer or the manager of a game design firm.

Before Getting Into Gaming

Here's what you need to do to get started in the field.

Instructions

1. Practice drawing. Video game design relies heavily on the computer, but the computer won't draw for you. You still need to be able to produce the characters, the premise, the landscapes, the textures, the lighting, and the animation from scratch. You'll  have to do a lot of planning, brainstorming, and story-boarding with a good old pencil as well. You need to be comfortable with getting your ideas out of your head and onto a paper in picture form. This should be your primary focus. You can learn the relevant computer  software later. It doesn't take long to do so, but it takes years to develop drawing, illustration, and design skills. Get started with this part as early as you can.

2. Make contact with professional  game designers. Your goal is to try to find out how they got to where they are.  Check game credits, animation magazines, and game websites for names and contact information. Send emails, send letters, make phone calls, ask for tours, and ask lots of questions. Also search online for interviews. Each path will involve the steps in this article, but each path is also unique. Try to learn something new from each person you make contact with.

3. Enrol in some video game design academy, degree programme, training programmes or workshop. These programme vary widely in scope and intensity as well as in cost. If you are willing and able to travel or relocate to pursue your goal, you should try to get into the most prestigious and reputable programme that you possibly can. This experience will expose you to the world of video game design and you will be able to find out two things: You will know if you can be successful in the field, and you will know if you really enjoy it or not.

4.  Create a portfolio, or a collection of your very best animation work. Your  concepts and creations  will need to be top-notch, as competition among amateurs  and professionals is stiff.

5. Promote yourself. Upload your demos on websites like Metacafe and Youtube to create buzz for yourself. Send demo reels to every company you can find whether or not they are hiring (they usually will not ever say they are hiring, you just need to make sure they have a sample of your best work on their shelves). Make sure to follow submission instructions exactly.

6. Continue to develop your skills and expand your body of work. It takes time, dedication, and sacrifice to get into this field, but if you are passionate about it, you will find that the journey is well worth the reward.

Study Here:

 1. Arena Animation

3rd Floor, Midas Touch
Opp. Navtara Restaurant
Panjim Market Square
Panjim - 403 001
Ph: 0832-2225153

Mumbai 

Arena Animation

Aptech Limited, Aptech House

A-65, MIDC, Marol, Andheri (E)

Mumbai – 400 093 India.

Telephone: 091 22 2827 2300

 Or

Aptech Limited
Champion Seal Compound
2nd/ 3rd floor
15/ Parasi Panchayat Road
Andheri (E)
Mumbai - 400069
India.
Tel: + 91 22 42040000
Fax: +91 22 42040100

Pune

Aptech Limited
710, Anant Chambers
1st Floor, J.M. Road, Shivajinagar
Pune - 411 005
India.
Tel: +91 20 25552 1368/ 69
Fax: +91 20 2553 85275 

2. Xavier Institute of Communications St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. India,Mumbai,India-400001

Contact No.: 2222621366, 2222621639

Email: edita@xaviercomm.org

Website: http://www.xaviercomm.org

3.  Wigan & Leigh College, UK,

in  India

The New Mahalaxmi Silk Mills Pvt Ltd,

Mathuradas Mills Compound,

Senapati Bapat Marg,

Lower Parel(W), Mumbai - 400013

Phone No. : 022-40571900/1919,
Mobile No.: 09323781477
Email: mumbaienquiry@wiganindia.org

Plot No. 14,

Lane No. 14, Galani Chambers,

Near Income Tax Office,

Prabhat Road,Pune - 411004

Phone No. : 020-25459588/89/90/64015205/06,
Mobile: 9970016136
Email: pune@wiganindia.org

S/1-2, Chanson building,

Next to Maruti Showroom,

Dayanand Bandodkar Marg,Miramar,

Panjim, Goa.403001

Phone No. : 0832-6450391/6451393
Email : goa@wiganindia.org

Pune

 Plot No. 14, Lane No. 14, Galani Chambers,Near Income Tax Office, Prabhat Road,Pune,India-411004

 For Course: Undergraduate Level - Advertising and Graphic Design

Contact No.: 02025459589,9970016136

Bangalore Campus

Ground Floor, No. 30,
Dickenson Road
Phone No. : 080-25574311/12/41477204
Email: bangalore@wiganindia.org

4. Wiztoonz College of Media and Design

 Address: Wiztoonz Animations Pvt. Ltd.,No.64, 13th Cross, 3rd Phase, JP Nagar, Bangalore - 560078,Bangalore,India-560078

 For Course: B.Sc. Multimedia

Contact No.: 08041664561,9972555851

Email: info@wiztoonz.com

Contact No.: 08026592828, 9972555851, 08026593838

Email: info@wiztoonz.com

Website: http://www.wiztoonz.com

5. The Whistling Woods International Institute for Film, Television & Media Arts,Mumbai

Film City, Goregoan

Mumbai 400065

India

6. ZICA – Zed Institute of Creative Arts

ZICA STUDIOS

Essel World, Gorai Island, Borivali(W), Mumbai – 400091, India.

Tel: +91 22 2845 2312 / 2197