Becoming a video game designer requires a lot of talent and dedication.
Video games have become increasingly more complicated over the years as Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft and other developers have built more-advanced gaming consoles and software companies have worked to make the best use of the consoles' capabilities. As the games have gotten more sophisticated, the need for talented programmers has increased. Becoming a video game maker is challenging and takes a lot of time, but it has the potential for a lucrative career that can also be very creatively rewarding.
Instructions
1. Study games. To be a great game designer, you need to have a solid knowledge of video games and have experience playing a wide variety of games and on different consoles and platforms. Play a lot of games and know what has made games successful and what have made games crash and burn. Take detailed notes on each game and what you think works well and what needs improvement.
2. Go to video game design school. There are a number of different technical schools and programming colleges to choose from. The tuition can vary greatly from school to school and depending on how many classes you're taking. A degree can potentially run from $40,000 to $60,000, but it is a sound investment in your own future if you are serious about designing and making games. Furthermore, some colleges and universities offer technical degrees in computer programming that will teach you about how programming works and use various design programs. Grants, scholarships and student loans are available in the technological field to help with costs.
3. Practice and get experience. Game making programs such as Game Maker allow you to build and design your own video games. You can also take cheap or free pre-existing game engines and study how they are constructed and modify them to your own needs. Build a few of your own games that you can show companies when you try to get a job. You can also put them online and see what feedback you get from game players. This will help you get better.
4. Solicit yourself. Once you have some experience and have finished school, send resumes out and try to garner interest from video game companies. Start with smaller, independent game shops first and find an entry point that you can then use to work your way up and earn yourself a place in a bigger company. Start your own website that can support your more advanced games and try to develop a following that can garner the attention of game developers.
