Hiya fellas! Ive been into games for a while now; and I wanna actually _make_ some! I''ve been wonderin; I dunno how to program codes and draw and make sound effects n all that; but I still feel deep inside me that I have somethin to contribute to the game development community! Heres the deal: I have all these great ideas for games; but I dont know what to do with em all! If I had a team of programming code writers and artists and sound guys; Im sure we could make the ultimate game! Maybe even several. Im talking long term here of course. So are there many jobs for Game Designers out there? And how do I getin contact with em? You never know! I might be the next John Romero! Peace out, and thanks for your time!

Check out the post a few messages down where it reads
"why make video games when you can start writing board games
etc "

Check out the message I had inputed and you can get a free simple easy guide.
If you have an idea check out keyword : VALUESOFT.COM
You can send them an idea for a new game or give them some input on any other existing game on their list or others for the pc world.

Jumping LIZARD

cowboy082246@aol.com

If you would like to talk about writing in different genre of games please let me know okay and we will go through step by step.

Many thanks friend! But I dont want to design board games; I want to design computer games; as they have a much wider range of possibilities. What I''m really looking for is a company that will hire me to design there games for them. I have no objection to moving; as I have some spare money in stock.

I highly doubt anyone will higher you just because you ''want'' to design games. Since just about anyone can design a game, I''d suggest writing several books before trying to become a game designer so you have something to sit on.

quote: Original post by ShoelessManiac
Many thanks friend! But I dont want to design board games; I want to design computer games; as they have a much wider range of possibilities. What I''m really looking for is a company that will hire me to design there games for them. I have no objection to moving; as I have some spare money in stock.

Don''t take this the wrong way, since I''m sure all of us at one point or another said the same thing as you did, but -- there''s no way possible for you to be hired to design a company''s games. Even people WITH an education in game designing don''t have it easy. Infact, it''s nearly impossible for someone to land a game design job out of a 4 year college education, even if it is a program focused around game design.

You have to realize that making games is expensive, it''s no longer a hobby. These games cost millions of dollars. Companies won''t hire someone to make a game just because they think they can do it. Everyone has great ideas. All of us in the game development industry have a game we "know would sell millions!"... but it just doesn''t work that way, unless you have a few million dollars to spare.

The fact of the matter is, ideas don''t sell in this industry anymore. Completion sells. What that means is, no one cares if you have a great idea, since everyone has a "great idea". What they care about is that you can set your sights on a project, work on it, and complete it successfully. If you really want to become a game designer, the move to California and start working as a game tester. Work your way in good with a company, and when a game design position opens you may have a shot of getting it, although you will be competing with every other game tester that wants the same job. Don''t expect it to happen overnight though. Even after you land a job as a tester it could take you well over 5 years to ever move into a position such as a game designer.

I hope I didn''t break your spirits. That wasn''t the point of this post. The point is, you need to do more than say you have "great ideas". You won''t get hired for them. Learn to program, become an artist, study business management, get into game testing -- find a way to get your foot in the door. When you do that, get a hold of someone''s ear. With enough work, you''ll get the position you want, but don''t expect it to fall in your lap. The fact is, it won''t.

quote: Original post by Anonymous Poster
Since just about anyone can design a game, I''d suggest writing several books before trying to become a game designer so you have something to sit on.

I''m not sure if you''ve ever held an official "game designer" position, but I''m guessing you haven''t with a comment like that. The reality is, 99% of the people that *think* they can be game designers, can''t. Why? Because they have no idea what it means to design a game. Not only that, but it totally varies depending on the company. Some want you to know how to program, others want you to have knowledge in 3D modeling, while others have their designers professionally write and do sound design. A game designer doesn''t just "think up a game"... if that were the case, why would a company hire a game designer when working within a pre-existing license? The world is set, the rules are in place, and the publisher already knows what kind of game they''re gonna pay for. Why hire a designer then? Well, it''s because, as I said, a game designer does a lot more than you think.

As for the writing the books comment, that just further proves my point. Not all game designers are expected to be creative writers, or even technical writers for that matter. It totally depends on the company.

Thanks for your input everyone! I know I may sound crazy; but somehow I know in my deepest soul that I am destined to some day be a game designer. I am willing to do whatever it takes to get there.
So what youre saying is that I should specialize at first in a particular area of game development. I might just do that. Ive always been fascinated by programming codes; they seem so complex; but they must be possible to learn. Is there a good?

Actually, game companies are seeing the value of having a dedicated designer more and more these days, especially as games get bigger. Many commercial games even have whole teams of designers dedicated to supporting their ongoing content development -- this especially applies to MMORPGs.

I suggest reading my recent post about ways to work toward getting a job in the game design field. Its not going to be easy -- schooling will help a lot, and you need to do a lot of work to build up your portfolio. Thats what I''m working on right now, in fact.

****************************************

Brian Lacy
ForeverDream Studios

Comments? Questions? Curious?
brian@foreverdreamstudios.com

"I create. Therefore I am."

quote:
Since just about anyone can design a game, I''d suggest writing several books before trying to become a game designer so you have something to sit on.

quote:
I''m not sure if you''ve ever held an official "game designer" position, but I''m guessing you haven''t with a comment like that

I may be wrong, but I do believe he meant that everyone can come up with a game idea and believes they have what it takes to design games, not that anyone can be succesful at it. Correct me if I''m wrong.



Just Smile and Nod...

quote: Original post by ShoelessManiac
I know I may sound crazy; but somehow I know in my deepest soul that I am destined to some day be a game designer. I am willing to do whatever it takes to get there.

Dude, quit it with the sentimental flim-like cliche shit. You stand a better chance of being employed if you work for a position than if you "believe you are the chosen one". I know this sounds harsh but get your head out of the clouds and come back down to earth.

I think most people have hit it on the head here but I''ll probably just re-iterate it anyway to make it perfectly clear. You will NOT get a job as a games designer with no experience or abilities. Furthermore, a Games Designer does not just think of an idea and tell everyone to make it. Those responsible for the design of a game, and I mean more than just one person here, will always play other roles in the team. Graphic Artists, QA Specialists, Producers, Directors. In other words, you do not become a Games Designer, you work for the company and then, only then, do you slowly become a part of the design team.

So the major point is this, you admit you have no directly applicable skills, which in turn suggest you have a very limited understanding of games development. You need to do something about that and that means hard work and dedication (not maintaining a belief in destiny). I would suggest getting going with some programming (try Visual Basic) or even get started with one of those Game-Maker programs. I''m not sure of the names because I''ve never used them. Programming in one form or another is your path to producing a game and it doesn''t have to be pretty. Prove your ability to dedicate to the cause, learn what''s necessary and to see a concept through to completion.


I apologise if I sounded a little harsh, I''m not trying to deflate your enthusiasm, I just want to make sure you apply it correctly.

I wish you the best of luck.