Career and Educational Paths for Game Designers

Animation Degree - Rasmussen College

Who would have ever thought that you could earn a living by playing and developing video games? Thousands of multimedia and game designers across the globe develop games for this highly coveted, interactive pastime. In fact, there are nearly 50,000 game designers employed currently in the United States, according to The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Opportunity in Game Design

As technology has evolved, the variety and demand for game designers and related workers has increased. Game designers, artists, sound designers, programmers, and testers are all exciting career paths one can take in the video game industry.

Not only are people drawn to this profession because of its exciting and technologically-driven nature, but also because of its favorable compensation. Online Degrees Today cites, “Top salaries for game designers and animators can actually top $200,000 a year for those at the top of the profession, according to Animation Arena. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that among all graphic designers, those with animation experience will have the best job opportunities through 2014.”

Passion is the Pulse of the Industry

There are no formal prerequisites for obtaining a college degree in game design, however; you should have a passion for “all things games”. When you find yourself creating game ideas and levels on paper, critiquing games you play, and turn everyday events into a game, you might find game development is a good career match. This goes beyond just playing the new release for the leading game consoles. You should love a variety of games including tabletop, card, CCG, and pen-and-paper design. If you have the drive and focus to stick with what you are creating, you are likely to succeed in this stimulating industry.

Benefits of Receiving Formal Education in Game Design

While it is true that you can pick up a lot of skills through your own research with the publicly-released tool sets, having a formal education brings in the aspect of not only working with teams and being responsible to a larger project, but the theory and creative process that make the connections behind the scenes.

Theory transcends technology. Knowing a specific toolset with a certain application is often not enough to make you stand out from the crowd. Companies like to see that you are well rounded in your education, can function on a team, and that you can approach roadblocks with analytical and problem solving skills.

Aspiring game designers are encouraged to start at an Associate’s level to build the essential core skills working with software packages, and to gain understanding of industry technologies and the creative process. Students have the option to elevate to a Bachelor’s degree in game design, which provides the opportunity to dig further into their skill sets and styles of design.

Course Curriculum

Coursework in game and simulation design, could include both 2D and 3D design, programming, art courses, and more. Students in these programs will likely utilize software including the Adobe® Creative Suite®, Autodesk® 3ds Max®, as well as various other programs and engines used in the game development industry.

If you’re interested in pursuing your video game passion as a career path, the first step is to research multimedia and game design schools; then speak to admissions representatives at each potential school about accreditation, student support, course modality (online vs. on-campus classes), course offerings, and career placement opportunities.

Sources:

“Working So Others Can Play: Jobs in Video Game Development.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2000. Web. <http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/2000/summer/art01.pdf>.

“Online Game Design Degree Programs, Game Design Schools Online, Best Accredited Game Design School Online.” Trends in Online Schools and Degrees | Online Degrees Today. Web. 16 Mar. 2011. <http://www.online-degrees-today.com/art-degrees/game-art-design.shtml>.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Ryan Rosenthal is a Program Coordinator for Rasmussen College – School of Technology and Design at the Green Bay, WI college campus. He has worked in the field of digital media and game development for over 10 years. Ryan also has an Associate’s degree in Multimedia and a Bachelor’s degree in Drafting and Design from ITT Technical Institute, and is working on completing his Computer Science Degree at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.  He is a member of the IGDA, AITP, and several other organizations in the tech and design fields.