These are professions that reflect the nature of an era. While wheelwrights have largely disappeared since the emergence of the automobile, digital technology has since brought new professions to the economic landscape. With the constant rise of the video game industry, the profession of game designer is becoming increasingly important and this profession, both creative and rigorous, now enjoys an attractiveness like no other. Presentation.
The game designer, an essential position in the production of a video game
The game designer is just below the project manager in the hierarchy that classifies the statuses of a video game production. He is responsible for designing the rules and the universe of a game, making it as attractive as possible for future users. He is first at the origin of the drafting of the specifications that dictate the work of all the members of the team. He must therefore be an excellent communicator, with a good spirit of synthesis and capable of understanding many aspects of the production.
Once production is launched, he will be responsible for coordinating the different teams. He is therefore in permanent contact with developers, graphic designers, or testers. Programming, graphics, management or even marketing are areas in which he must be able to evolve with ease. He is also a supervisor who must be able to enforce the development costs and deadlines imposed by the client.
Skills required to become a game designer
With the ever-increasing success of the digital world particularly that of video games, the profession of game designer is therefore of great importance. However, there are also skills and personal qualities to have so that integration into this field is easier. Indeed, this work requires creativity while maintaining realism. He must take into account all the parameters that come into play when designing a video game.
The video game illustrator must think about the expectations of the target audience. He must not forget ergonomics so that the game is perfectly adapted and enjoyable for the player. Of course, the professional also must respect the budget, the deadlines given as well as the technical constraints of the computer equipment. Finally, the game designer must know how to work in a team since he must collaborate with a team including animators, computer graphics artists, or even character designers.
In addition to possessing these different qualities, following a continuing education as an illustrator remains the best way to do this job. A job that, let us remember, has a promising future. In addition, more and more people are now interested in video games and the digital field.
Training to become a game designer
The game designer profession is booming thanks to the growing expansion of the video game industry. Specific or at least related training courses are therefore regularly emerging. It is generally considered that a Bac+2 is a minimum to hope to obtain a position. The DU, DUT, and BTS can be good choices of orientation after high school for those who plan to pursue a career in game design. For example, let us mention the DUT Multimedia and Internet Professions or the BTS Visual Communication, Multimedia option.
After these two-year courses, it is advisable to pursue a master’s degree to increase your chances of joining a team. Here again, the possibilities are numerous. The Master’s in Video Games and Interactive Media at the École Nationale du Jeu Vidéo is the royal road, but it is also possible to join specialized sections within schools such as Les Gobelins, Supinfogames or the École Supérieure d’Infographie. But be careful, places are expensive!
Remuneration and career prospects
While the profession of game designer enjoys a very special aura among young video game aficionados, the realities of the profession do not always live up to their expectations. This profession is above all stressful and time-consuming because the deadlines to be met often impose crazy paces on all members of the team, particularly on the game designer. In addition, the remuneration is not always commensurate with the time and energy invested.
