Hey everyone...I have been dropping by here for a while now and I have a question... Everyone that posts here in the beginner forum asking newbie questions always seems to be looking at game development from a programming aspect. My question is about the artwork, characters, backgrounds, etc... Is that stuff also done by programming or are those type things done through programs like Photoshop, 3D Studio Max, etc.?? I am a web designer as my job but I am a huge video game player. I have a a strong background in design, art, digital media, etc. So...maybe I would be looking at getting into the artistic side of game development rather than the programming aspect. Thanks for any advice, replies, and comments!

artists are nearly important as the programmers are! sure we programmers all think that the world is at out finger tips, and it is, but that world has to be designed by someone.

on larger projects a programmer will rarely share the same position as an artist, writer, or sound engineer. Thats up to the creative development team.

an artist uses a program like 3D Studio Max to creates objects like characters, cars, and trees... and then the programmer puts his skills to use to allow interactive animations of those objects.

ZeroWolf hit it on the head (like you I''m a frequent visitor here and have decided to become and active part of this ''community'')
We programming guys/gals, while being a very integral part of the game creating process cannot create it alone. The ARTISTS are everybit as important if not, possibly more so...after all, all of our script is worth nothing (or very boring at least), if there is nothing on the screen to show for it (besides text) ;o) an artist provides the visual world/environment the gamer interacts with.

So if you want to get into the artistic side, then by all means have a great time doing what you love to do.

Either way, artists are an integral part and always will be.

I would very much like to persue a career in the gaming industry as an artist but the problem is....I live in Atlanta and after extensive researching, I have yet to come up with any companies around here that specialize in games and stuff. Every company here is all about business applications and what not. I am still looking for individuals in the area though that would be interested in working on a project.

I would very much like to persue a career in the gaming industry as an artist but the problem is....I live in Atlanta and after extensive researching, I have yet to come up with any companies around here that specialize in games and stuff. Every company here is all about business applications and what not. I am still looking for individuals in the area though that would be interested in working on a project.

I would very much like to persue a career in the gaming industry as an artist but the problem is....I live in Atlanta and after extensive researching, I have yet to come up with any companies around here that specialize in games and stuff. Every company here is all about business applications and what not. I am still looking for individuals in the area though that would be interested in working on a project.

well to be honest with ya I''ve just got one piece of advice regarding that ... move! I''m moving to Seattle in 10 months to transfer out to the University of Washington and be right in the midst of the greats of Microsoft and Nintendo. The more research I''ve done on this industry I''ve found that is isn''t THAT hard to get into... you just have to be willing to go for it

With commercial game engines being redily availiable for use by licence form publishers, Content creation plays a Major role in the development process, but you still have to have programmers to customize the software for your needs.

Goto www.idsoftware.com and look at the employee list. notice there are maybe 4 programers and 13 content creation artists.