Start a Video Game Design Career

Have you ever wondered why there were some extra grenades just laying on the ground when you needed them, or why a sniper rifle is placed at your feet when you first see distant enemies? From the moment you begin your Sierra 117 mission in Halo 3, your entire journey through the game is carefully mapped out. The designers want you to experience the excitement and challenges without irritation or frustration. You won't keep playing if all you do is get lost, run out of ammo or get overwhelmed by enemies. Good designers understand the subtleties that keep you playing—and enjoying—the game.

Learning the game design techniques that seamlessly guide players to each new phase of a game is crucial to starting a successful video game design career. This is why many video game design schools include lessons that focus on the psychological aspects of game design.

Because so much of game design is based on player psychology, you can start building your knowledge even before heading off to video game design school.

You have probably already experienced the differences between a great game and a mediocre one. Now see if you can start to analyze why one is superior to the other. Grab a copy of a great game, such as Psychonauts for Xbox, and then a game that just didn't do it for you. Play each one through, noting whenever you get stuck, die or get confused. Be as detailed as you can with your descriptions, including what you did and why. Then, brainstorm ideas as to why you got stuck. Did you miss something? Why did you miss it? How would you change the game so that it's clearer to the player?

Do the games share any similarities? How are they different? Don't just say that you didn't like a game—give explanations. Things like brain-dead AI, horrible level designs, tacky sound effects and even cheesy dialogue can all stem from bad game design. Chances are, you'll find that a game like Psychonauts won't contain the kinds of mistakes you'll discover on the lower quality game.

Write up your report, and put it in your portfolio. Not only will this show your willingness to learn new concepts, but it will demonstrate that you are able to learn on your own. Also, by practicing your analytical skills before arriving at video game design school, you'll be prepared to take your game design skills to the next level. You'll already have an understanding of what works and doesn't work in games, and why—making your own ideas even better.

If you want to succeed in a video game design career, you need to understand that the best video game designs help players along without them even noticing. Make a game too easy or too difficult and nobody will want to play it. Game designers have the challenging task of balancing a game's pace, storyline, difficulty, mechanics, art and overall fun. It may sound like a lot, but each component is critical to creating a great game.

If you've got the ambition and the passion to start a video game design career, cultivate your knowledge and technique at a good game design school. The skills you'll learn can help you take the next step toward a career in this exciting field.

_{* Wired Magazine}