Game Design Degrees

Beginning in 1979, video games slowly started to invade homes and occupy young children and adults alike. The first video game was created in Japan and it has evolved greatly over the years. Video games have not only become a hobby for young children, but they have become an obsession for young adults. Individuals are constantly in competition with one another to have the latest and greatest video game. They also race one another to conquer all the levels of the most challenging games. With individuals constantly looking for new challenges, the area of video game design has increased in popularity.

Children are becoming fascinated with video games at a younger age. To prevent them from becoming zombies in front of the television, video game design companies are incorporation education, as well as physical activity to most of their video games. Games such as V-tech and Leap Frog use colors, numbers and words to educate young children on how to read and count. One recent game that has revolutionized the video game industry is Nintendo’s Wii. This game console uses video games to incorporate physical activity. Game users are required to use their physical skills to complete tasks such as fishing, bowling and tennis. While these games aim to educate and increase physical activity among youth, there are still traditional games on the market that simply aim to entertain.

What once started as a recreational activity, video gaming has now become a sport to some people. There are actually tournaments around the world where individuals compete against one another in the latest video games. Individuals also create teams to compete against individuals from all different countries. While most people think individuals play these games for fun, it is actually a very competitive sport. Individuals train for months, even years to master the skills need to conquer a game. They study each video game design and try to learn all the tricks and special features of each game. Individuals are not competing for bragging rights. Some tournaments offer prizes in excess of $500,000, proving that these games are not to be taken lightly.

With the increased popularity of video game tournaments and leisure activities, the career field of video game design is in high demand of qualified candidates. Colleges all over the country offer programs to teach students about video games and how to design them. Courses include work in graphic design, script writing and drawing. Classes are also offered in a variety of different specialties aimed to make individuals marketable in a variety of different fields. Students learn essential computer skills such as Photoshop, animation and cinematography. However, these computer skills are also important skills in different career fields, therefore opening numerous opportunities to graduates in this specific program

Upon completion of a video game design program, students can work for numerous different companies. Design companies are constantly looking for fresh thinkers and creative individuals to take their video games to new levels. Students in design programs learn how to conceptualize, design and plan animations and video games. They also learn how to produce and evolve character models and design levels in video games. Along with these important video game skills, students also learn marketing, business and entertainment law to make them a well-rounded candidate.

With a video game design degree, students can not only use their imaginations to create games, but they can also manage the production of games or be a critic with the skills they learn through this particular program. What was once thought of as simply entertainment has become an increasing popular industry.

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If you’re a fan of video games, you may have thought about video game design as a career. What may surprise you is that this career requires a set of skills far beyond a love of games and a knack for using computers and video gaming systems.

Developing video games is a cost and time intensive process that draws on a variety of skills and talents that may surprise you. In fact, most developers with successful games under their belts are artistic and have good writing skills as well as a solid background in computer programming and design. If you are considering a career in video game design, consider the many aspects of game design and think about which area you would excel at:

Game Concept Design

This is an early phase of the process and is done primarily by writers and game concept specialists. These are the individuals who create the parameters for the game such as the overall goal or objective, what type of skills will be used in the game, etc. If you’ve ever thought you had an awesome game idea or felt that you could have improved on a game you’ve played, you might want to go into game concept design.

Game play and rules also fall under the concept area. No video game can be played without particular guidelines and rules. These can be quite complex; designers who are good at understanding and applying a variety of regulations as well as developing new ones are in high demand. Creativity is also needed so that rules can be both interesting and rational within the parameters of the game.

Layout and 3D Modeling

If you enjoy photo manipulation, Computer Aided Drafting and Design and artwork, you may like working on layout and design. Some companies hire individuals strictly to do backgrounds or characters for games in order to give a game a particular style or ensure realism. This aspect of video game design is what can give a stellar game a distinctive look and feel that inspires a great fan following.

Object placement is a part of layout that is primarily associated with the proper placement of significant objects that may have special powers, provide a key to the next level or a game or reveal a key secret to advancement. Some larger companies have individuals who focus on this sub-category of game layout.

Scripting and Plot Development

The dialogue and actions of characters in complex video games can make or break the success of the game. Scripting is the part of video game design that develops the actual dialogue for characters and keeps the action moving forward. Awkward or unrealistic scripting can be a death sentence, so scripters are central to the design of the game. This is similar to writing the script for a movie or play, so writing skills and an understanding of dialogue and character are essential.

Proper plotting moves the story forward and, like scripting, relies heavily on understanding human nature, motives and character. A plot in a video game may be incidental to the action. However, some games are becoming increasingly plot driven, but it must make sense and follow a recognizable and interesting thread that will keep gamers interested.

New Degrees Combine Skills

Because video game design has taken off in recent years and is now a billion dollar industry, the need for good designers is increasing. In the past, a game design team might have included writers with liberal arts degrees, artists and computer programmers who had to pull it all together. Today there are many colleges and universities that offer specialized video game design degrees. These degrees are valuable because they cover the many skill sets needed for success in the business. These skills include scripting, 3D art, story development, content development and animation by combining elements of several different disciplines into one comprehensive degree focusing on the needs of the video game design industry.

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A career in video game design means you get to combine your imagination with your competitive nature using the latest computer technology to help create the interactive gaming experience of a lifetime for video game players. In this highly visual field, you’ll be able to tailor your expertise to creating games for various age groups, from young children to teens and adults. You may decide to devote yourself to the creation and development of educational software to be used in the classroom or to creating the “latest and greatest” war game or “what comes next” in online gaming.

The following types of individuals may be good candidates for a career in game design at a strong video game design school:

Students interested in and professionals with expertise in game mechanics. Those drawn to the visual arts. Computer programmers and students with programming skills. Professionals involved with the production process, especially in electronic fields, as well as students wanting to produce interactive electronics. Seasoned professionals in audio fields and students who want to combine the visual arts with the latest in audio technology. Writers who enjoy putting together narration and others who want to combine a storyline with visual arts and audio.

Once you determine game design is the field for you and you have an idea of what occupation within the video game industry you may want to pursue, you can begin your education at a fine video game design school.

A solid video game design school choice, ITT Technical Institute not only offers hands on video game design training, the institute also incorporates real-world applications so students know the impact of their creations even prior to graduation. ITT Technical Institute also offers the option of taking certain required courses online, which makes it easy for you to balance your video game design school curriculum with your work and personal life.

Since game design is an electronic field, the game design courses offered online by ITT Technical Institute have the same high impact after graduation as those offered in our classrooms. At ITT Tech, you’ll not only learn the fundamentals of game design, you’ll learn to “put your own spin” on game design so you can “make your mark” on the gaming industry quickly. This makes the transition from school to the real world much easier and less intimidating.

Whether you choose to get your entire game design training in person by attending class at ITT Tech or to supplement your education through online courses that suit your lifestyle, you’ll be on your way to a career in a field that’s continually shaping the way Americans work, play, learn and entertains themselves. Who knows, maybe you have the vision to reshape the world of “good versus evil,” an idea that keeps toddlers entertained and wanting to learn or an idea that keeps teens entertained and out of trouble. Even if your biggest goal is simply to enhance current gaming technology, and not necessarily to invent anything new, game design training from ITT can get you there.

One of the most progressive and versatile career fields for today and the future, game design is a great choice for long, stable, lucrative careers.

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Game designers are in demand. The gaming industry is growing faster than colleges and schools can churn out students. The hours are long, and the work is addictive – but if you can learn to program as well as you play, a game designer career could become a reality for you.

Game designers are passionate self-learners with addictive personalities. They are addicted to games, and they must be in order to be a game designer. Game designers are under pressure to meet deadlines, but deadlines crush creativity. They are in a constant battle on the screen, and within themselves. When passionate gaming mixes with creativity, programming, endurance and addiction, a game designer is born.

Gaming isn’t child’s play anymore, it’s big business. In 2008 the US pulled in a hefty 22 billion dollars from the gaming industry, despite economic woes. Globally, the gaming industry was a winner in 2007 with over 41 billion dollars worth of gaming hardware and software filling the living rooms of gamers everywhere. There are job titles that future game designers aren’t even aware exist. Of course there’s a chief technical officer, a senior programmer, and an art director – but now the entertainment and media want ads are looking for lead scenario designers, battle designers, combat designers and level designers. There are game designer careers within game designer jobs. Some other titles for game designer careers are scenario designer, concept author, conceptual designer, level planner and camera designer. Then of course there’s the textual artist, background modeler, environment designer and character designer. But it all starts with a computer and an education – and lots of game playing.

A game designer education needs to include courses in programming, graphic design, media, art, communication, marketing, algebra and geometry. Self-learning, by taking advantage of game creating software (game engine tools) and 3D modeling tools can give you a head start. Going back to play some of the historical games and reviewing the history of video games can also put you a level over the competition. If you are addicted enough and have the perseverance to pursue your career, getting a college education is the fastest and easiest way to get your foot in the door. Your portfolio should include courses in digital media, communication, graphic design and computer programming at the minimum. Try to get courses in animation, cinematics, creative writing or storytelling. The majority of game designers have a degree, and common majors are computer science, art and English.

Game designer positions will be growing with technology. Your talent and on-the-job experience in game designing will carry you up the levels in your career, but your college education will get you in the door. Investing in an education in game designing will give you the career potential to make well over $50,000 and do something you love. Design a plan for your future, and take the path to your game design career. A game designer that loves to game will always win.

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There are so many DS games on the market that is very difficult to narrow it down to just 10.  Nintendo has finally hit on the gold mine idea of creating and marketing games to different age groups.  Previously, gamers were teenagers or 20 somethings.  Now, there are games available for as young as 5 and for senior citizens.  This list of top DS games will hit on games for all different age groups.

1. Super Mario Kart is a racing game and great for multiple-player gaming.  You choose 1 of 8 karts to race in and 1 of 32 courses to race on.  Many of the courses are only available after you beat the easier courses.
2. Brain Age helps keep the aging mind sharp.  There are many different aspects to the game, Sudoku puzzles, making change, and playing a handheld mini piano.
3. Nintendogs allows you to have as many virtual pets as you can afford and take care of.  This game utilizes the microphone and the player trains the dog by teaching it it’s name and then several common commands.  Then once the dogs are trained they can compete in various dog shows to earn money.
4. Scribblenauts is another puzzle game, but one aimed at kids 10 and up.  There are various levels of puzzles to solve and kids can use their imaginations to come up with various things to win the game.
5. Pokemon Platinum is the newest in the Pokemon series.  This adventure based game takes the player through different world where they have to train and battle different characters to move on.
6. Kirby Squeak Squad has the player navigate through different worlds inhaling things to use against enemies and learning various skills to fight the enemies until you reach the end and battle the boss.
7. Professor Layton’s Diabolical Box takes place on a train and in a small hidden city.  Layton’s friend died after opening the cursed diabolical box and he is on a mission to find the box and figure out why his friend died.  There are many puzzles to solve along the way in order to unlock clues.
8. Cakemania is a delicious game of baking cakes for customers.  The trick is to figure out how to make the cakes correctly and quickly enough to satisfy all of the customers and to make enough money to stay in business.
9. Barbie as the Island Princess poses age appropriate challenges for young gamers.  Some aspects of the game don’t require any reading and are easy to learn such as throwing a net and pulling up shells for money.
10. Sonic Rush brings you into the story of a hedgehog trying to defeat his nemesis Eggman.  This fast paced game has the player running around collecting rings to earn points so they can advance to the next level of play.

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