Game Designer
If you love computer games and enjoy using your imagination, this could be ideal for you. Computer games developers produce games for PCs and games consoles. They also produce games for the internet and mobile phones. The work could involve making new games or updating existing titles.
Most computer games developers have a qualification. However employers may be more interested in your software skills and experience.
To do this role, you will need to:
- be able to work in collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams
- be able to communicate your vision to artists, programmers, producers, marketing staff, and others involved in the development process
- be able to accept constructive feedback on your work
- be able to present your ideas both verbally and on paper
- be imaginative and creative
- have good written and verbal communication skills
- have good basic visual design and drawing skills
- be reasonably fluent in a range of 2D and 3D graphics and animation packages, such as 3D Studio Max, NUKE or Maya
- have some programming skills at least at ‘scripting’ level
- have an awareness of the various games platforms and technologies
- possess a thorough understanding of game play theory
- have storytelling and narrative development skills
- be skilled in information design and user interface design
- be able to think systematically and strategically
- have knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures.
Gaming Programmer
Game Programmers work at the heart of the game development process. They design and write the computer code that runs and controls the game, incorporating and adapting any ready-made code libraries and writing custom code as required. They test the code and fix bugs, and also develop customised tools for use by other members of the development team.
Different platforms (games consoles, PCs, handhelds, mobiles, etc.) have particular programming requirements and there are also various specialisms within programming, such as physics programming, AI (artificial intelligence), 3D engine development, interface and control systems.
Games development is an increasingly complex process and large teams of Programmers might be involved in creating a game, some in leadership roles, some working on just one aspect.
Programmers are employed by development studios – publisher-owned and independent. They also work for middle ware producers, an increasingly important sector providing cross-platform graphics rendering, game physics, sound management, AI, and other specialist tools. Programmers might also work for localisation companies which translate and re-version games for different territories.
Different platforms (games consoles, PCs, handhelds, mobiles, etc.) have particular programming requirements and there are also various specialisms within programming, such as physics programming, AI (artificial intelligence), 3D engine development, interface and control systems.
Games development is an increasingly complex process and large teams of Programmers might be involved in creating a game, some in leadership roles, some working on just one aspect.
Programmers are employed by development studios – publisher-owned and independent. They also work for middle ware producers, an increasingly important sector providing cross-platform graphics rendering, game physics, sound management, AI, and other specialist tools. Programmers might also work for localisation companies which translate and re-version games for different territories.
To do this role, you will need to:
- be able to programme in C++, C and other programming languages
- be systematic and highly organised
- be able to work on your own initiative and as part of a team
- have good communication skills
- have specific platform experience, e.g. Wii, PlayStation, Xbox
- have a good understanding of game play
- be able to take instruction and work to deadlines
- be creative and possess problem-solving skills
- have knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures
The Level Editor
The Level Editor defines and creates interactive architecture for a segment of a game, including the landscape, buildings and objects.
They must be true to the overall design specification, using the characters and story elements defined by the Game Designer, but they often have considerable freedom to vary the specific look and feel of the level for which they are responsible. They define the environment, general layout of the spaces within the level, and lighting, textures, and forms. The define the characters and objects involved, whether they are player-controlled or non-player characters, and any specific behaviours associated with the characters and objects.
They also develop the gameplay for the level, which includes the challenges that the characters face and the actions they must take to overcome them. The architecture helps to define those challenges by presenting obstacles, places to hide, tests of skill, and other elements to explore and interact with.
The setting and atmosphere devised by the Level Editor can also give the player clues about different ways of progressing though the level and the game as a whole.
The Level Editor first sketches ideas on paper or using 2D drawing software. They have to imagine the playing experience, putting themselves in the position of the player, mapping out all the possibilities.
They must be true to the overall design specification, using the characters and story elements defined by the Game Designer, but they often have considerable freedom to vary the specific look and feel of the level for which they are responsible. They define the environment, general layout of the spaces within the level, and lighting, textures, and forms. The define the characters and objects involved, whether they are player-controlled or non-player characters, and any specific behaviours associated with the characters and objects.
They also develop the gameplay for the level, which includes the challenges that the characters face and the actions they must take to overcome them. The architecture helps to define those challenges by presenting obstacles, places to hide, tests of skill, and other elements to explore and interact with.
The setting and atmosphere devised by the Level Editor can also give the player clues about different ways of progressing though the level and the game as a whole.
The Level Editor first sketches ideas on paper or using 2D drawing software. They have to imagine the playing experience, putting themselves in the position of the player, mapping out all the possibilities.
To do this role, you will need to:
- have good spatial and layout design skills
- have knowledge of 3D modelling and a firm grasp of game design principles
- have the ability to visualise layouts
- have a practical understanding of programming and scripting language to work closely with artists and programmers
- be able to train the QA Testers to play the game
- have IT skills and competence in the use of world-editing tools
- have knowledge of different platforms
- be very well organised
- be able to work both independently and as part of a team
- be able to accept and give direction
- be imaginative and creative
- have excellent communication skills (both verbal and written)
- pay close attention to detail and be able to evaluate quality
- have a passion for games and knowledge of game design theory
- have knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures
QA Tester
Quality Assurance Technicians, or Testers, perform a vital role. They test, tune, debug and suggest the detailed refinements that ensure the quality and playability of the finished game. They play-test the game in a systematic way, analysing the game’s performance against the designer’s intentions, identifying problems and suggesting improvements.
They test for bugs in the software, from complete crashes to minor glitches in the programme. They also act as the game’s first audience, reporting on its playability and identifying any aspects which could be improved.
Playing games all day for a living might sound like an ideal job, but this is in fact a highly disciplined role.
They are responsible for assuring quality in the final product and for finding all the flaws in a game before it goes public. They look for programme bugs - spelling mistakes, localisation problems (variations of the game are required for different territories), graphical or audio glitches, and also any copyright issues.
QA Testers must know which issues are the most important and be able to prioritise them for fixing. They work to deadlines and must understand production and marketing schedules. They normally use a software quality management system to document findings.
They work in teams, sometimes playing together on a multi-player game or a team might ‘own’ part of a game.
They test for bugs in the software, from complete crashes to minor glitches in the programme. They also act as the game’s first audience, reporting on its playability and identifying any aspects which could be improved.
Playing games all day for a living might sound like an ideal job, but this is in fact a highly disciplined role.
They are responsible for assuring quality in the final product and for finding all the flaws in a game before it goes public. They look for programme bugs - spelling mistakes, localisation problems (variations of the game are required for different territories), graphical or audio glitches, and also any copyright issues.
QA Testers must know which issues are the most important and be able to prioritise them for fixing. They work to deadlines and must understand production and marketing schedules. They normally use a software quality management system to document findings.
They work in teams, sometimes playing together on a multi-player game or a team might ‘own’ part of a game.
To do this role, you will need to:
- be analytical and methodical
- have a good knowledge of games titles on the market so that you can evaluate a game against its competition
- have an understanding of how games are put together and how the different elements of a game contribute to the playing experience
- be able not only to identify and record a problem, but also to try to work out what is causing it
- have excellent communication skills, including tact in dealing with other members of the team
- pay close attention to detail
- be persistent and patient
- be able to play games for long periods
- have good negotiation and conflict resolution skills
- have a passion for game playing
- have knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures
