I have read in several mags that you can't just get into design by starting out as a tester anymore. I hear it is important to also have an education related one of the areas of game dev., and you need to know a little code. I was wondering if you could get into design if you got a minor in C++ and start out as a tester. Also, if I don't care to be the lead designer, could I land a position that is somewhere between testing and design. I have heard of a lot of people that do a combination of both of those.

I think maybe you need to look at the underlying concept. Design isn't one thing anymore. Level designers have knowledge of a number of things, and their job is to have purview over an individual level, making sure it is simultaneously functional, beautiful, and consistent with the values of the game. Scripters, on the other hand, are much more akin to coders, tweaking values and getting their hands dirty with pure code and/or code-like script files in terms of how in-game objects behave. Producers are effectively managers, although they end up having a good deal of design input. Writers determine a type of design, although not what one would usually call "interaction design", which is where this question is usually headed.

Mods are an excellent way to begin to understand all of these things, no need to go straight to the hardcore code unless that's a source of fascination for you.

I'd imagine that knowing how to code would be a good skill for a game designer to have, as they could then design their game from the ground up with current technologie's limits in mind. However, if you've been in the industry for a good amount of time, and have the raw creativity and talent for design, I don't think it matters all that much.

It also helps if you've got experience in modding existing games, creating additional maps/campaigns, etc.

First, I just want to warn you that becoming a game designer for a decent-sized game developer is hard. It seems like everyone wants to be one, which I don't blame. Of course, don't be discouraged by my words. I'm glad you expect to work your way up.

I don't think a minor in C++ is vital to a game designer. If you want, you can do it. I'd rather recommend learning scripting languages if you interested in doing a little code. As liquiddark mentioned, game design is split now between many specific concentrations. Anything specific you wish to do? Character development? Level design?

Anyways, modding is your best friend for gaining experience for game design.

Hi, here are some suggestions I'd advise.

1) Make games. Board games, card games, pencil games. Anything. Computer games if you're able to (does not have to be fancy!! anything complete will do).

2) Get educated. And I don't mean computer science. If you want to be a programmer, CS is for you, but if you want to be a designer, look for other fields. Anthropology, Geography, History, English, Sociology, Philosophy, etc. The idea is to have a diverse education and good general knowledge of the world and various systems.

3) Read. Read a lot. Books are good. Anything and everything. One week it might be rigid body dynamics, the next week? Lord of the Rings! This expands on number 2. Education should NEVER stop.

4) Know the industry. You can't work in it if you don't understand the way things work. This can be accomplished via #2 and #3.

5) Goto #1. does the process ever end?



That's about it. I'm sure I forgot something. But since you're a competitor, screw you ;) (I'm kidding.)