What Kind of Background Do You Need for A Career in Game Design?

The Indian Game Design Scene is Heating Up

And as a recent Economic Times article indicates, entering this space would be a great idea because India is the Next Playground for Game Development. This quote from the article should definitely shed some light on the current scenario – “Currently, close to 23,000 gaming-based job openings are available, with salary packages ranging from Rs 3 lakh to a little over Rs 40 lakh, according to specialist staffing firm Xpheno. UBISOFT, 99Games, GSN, Moonfrog Labs, EA, Nazara Technologies, Octro and Dream 11 are some of the big names that are hiring.”

And while getting a degree in game art and design is an obvious first step to a fulfilling career in this world – like levelling up your avatar in a fantasy game. But to get to the upper reaches of the industry – the boss battles if you will – you need those special armour pieces and collectable power items too, and these are the skills we are referring to here.

HERE’S YOUR CHANCE TO STUDY GAME DESIGN AT PUNE

Skills to Pay the Bills – Video Game Designer Skills Industry Aspirants Need to Have

Considering a game design career? Focus on creativity, storytelling, and technical skills. A strong game development background boosts success. The video game designer salary varies but is lucrative for skilled professionals mastering engines, collaboration, and industry trends. 

1. Explore Your Creative Side

When you work on the design aspect of a video game, you are bringing brand new characters and entire worlds to life. Creating compelling games that draw the gamer in is the type of task that will challenge your creativity, which is exactly why this is one of the foremost game designer skills on this list.

2. Rise Above the Disputes

The gaming community is a divisive one. The PlayStation guys hate on the Xbox gang and vice versa, while PC gamers have declared themselves the master race. And all gamers on all three platforms scoff at the casual smartphone gamer. Well, one of the skills required to be a video game designer is an understanding of and appreciation for games of different styles and on different platforms.

3. Don’t Pigeonhole Yourself

To make the most mind-blowingly wicked games, you need to know what the gaming audience out there wants. And we don’t just mean the hard-core first-person shoot ’em up fanboys who are still waiting for Half-Life 3; we mean every type of gamer. Whether you’re into sandbox-style games, crime capers, racing games, sports franchises, puzzles and mind benders, or whatever those weirdos that play Goat Simulator, you need to be able to have a firm grasp on every style of video game.

4. Live That Gamer Life

To be a gamer, you need to learn to think like a gamer. Get inside your audience’s mind and figure out what makes them tick. After all, if you don’t know what the gaming community is clamouring for, you won’t be able to give them what they want. And this is why understanding the minds of all gamers is the type of video game designer skill that every aspirant should have dialled in.   

5. Let the Art Flow

The most important aspect of the game designer’s skills and qualities list is their ability to create beautiful designs. Since the role of the game designer is to help craft the look and aesthetic of the game, having a background in artwork and drawing is an absolute must.

6. The Gift of the Gab

Video games are at the pinnacle of the mass media food chain, and to keep them there, you need to have a vision and a voice. Your games need to convey a message that millions of gamers the world over can sink their teeth into.

7. Read Up on the Gaming Industry

Like most technology-driven platforms out there, gaming is always on the cusp of a new revolution. Last week it was Augmented Reality, this week it is the launch of the next-generation consoles, and so on. Industry knowledge and insights will keep you one step ahead of your peers as you will have a great understanding of the gaming world. Knowledge of the gaming industry is one of those game designer skills required by everyone looking to enter the field.

8. Spin A Yarn

At its most basic, what separates a good game from a bad one is the quality of the storytelling aspect of the game. If you can’t weave a tale that’s exciting and enticing, your game will end up being consigned to the bottom of the pile.

9. Learn the Art of Image Manipulation

Usually, working on the design aspect of the game requires a lot of image processing work using specialist software. Since the graphics and visual appeal side of games are so prevalent in the industry and an essential part of the game designer key skills portfolio, it should come as no surprise that knowing this crucial image software can help elevate your game designer skillset.

10. Learn Outside Your Sphere

Even if you only ever want to be a game designer, you should try your hand at other aspects of the game development world like coding and data structure, algorithms, and more. This basic knowledge of the other aspects of game development will make you a more competent and talented designer as your work will be positively influenced by your more rounded industry knowledge-base.   

11. Don’t Waiver

The world of game design isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Quite the opposite, in fact. It is an intense and drawn-out process that can see you pull long hours working on the minutiae of the game’s design. If you don’t have the passion and resilience to drive you through the process, you’re better off not entering the game design field. After all, rage-quitting a game is easy, but it can prove a lot more challenging when it comes to your career.

The Importance of Having a Game Design Degree

As we mentioned earlier, all these skills won’t amount to much if you haven’t got the fundamental game development background under your belt. To build a successful game design career, it’s essential to acquire the right knowledge and expertise. Enrolling in a renowned institute that offers courses dedicated to this subject can also help you understand industry standards and explore opportunities like a competitive video game designer salary in the long run.

EXPLORE SEAMEDU’S GAME DESIGN COURSE IN BENGALURU

With our interactive game art and design courses, you can acquire the education you need to enter the field of game design. With a diverse curriculum that includes interactive courses, practical lessons, monthly industry workshops, and lessons on the entire game production cycle – including wide-ranging aspects like scripting, storyboarding, and sound design – you will have all the tools you need to scale the heights of this industry. Our course teaches students of game design all the crucial professional software used by gaming studios, including Maya, Photoshop, Unity 3D, and Z-Brush. So, if game design is in your destiny, then put down that controller (at least for a bit) and sign up today!