I want to know the job description of a professional Game Designer. I am 22 and a senior in electrical engineering. Consequently, I'm good at mathematics. I'm also good at creative writing, and I like to do it. Most importantly, I've been playing games for a long time now, like most everyone else here, and I have a pretty good idea of what makes games work, and what elements separate good ones from bad ones. Here's the problem: I don't like programming. I've taken a class on C++, and I just didn't like it, nor was I very good at it. I don't know if the professor just didn't explain it on my level, or if coding just isn't my thing, but the main point is that I don't want to do a lot of programming/coding if possible. So on to my question, what is game design, or more specifically, what does a game designer do on the job? What is the typical role of a game designer in a major project? Is it possible to develop game content and communicate it to the coders to be programmed, or must I suck it up and develop a professional understanding of C programming, myself? I will do what is necessary to design games as a career, but I would prefer to avoid the programming part of it, if at all possible.

Game designers should never have to touch C/C++ code.
At some companies they might have to do some "scripting" though, using an easier language like Lua, so having a basic understanding of programming may be helpful for you.
The role of a "Game designer" changes a lot from company to company. Could be anything from describing game mechanics in fine detail to mapping out level layouts (not level artwork).

Tom Sloper's (I think that's his name) site is a good resource for anyone (at any level, but especially beginners). Search for his name, and the link should be in the signature. Hopefully he'll post here saving you the trouble.

I just read some of Tom's lessons, and I believe I've found what I was seeking. This guy's a genius. Thanks for the reference, I will certainly take this advice to heart.

Just from having taken a game design career certification program at Vancouver Film School I must say the following are probably the key points they attempted to learn me:

- presentations skills
- design documentation
- game mechanics && paper gaming
- theory behind play
- agile project management

There are a vast number of resources on all of these. As mentioned above programming is not considered a part of a game designers skill set. Some employers may even look down upon such knowledge. Seriously, a certain upper crust from Crystal Dynamics spent an hour presenting on how programing and science skills are counter productive to game designers..... I don't agree with this but there are a good many articles and interviews which present all sides clearly so... have fun finding your own opinions you will need them to be a good game designer(<=== also my opinion!) I would suggest popping into http://www.gamasutra.com/

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Original post by ButtacupAs mentioned above programming is not considered a part of a game designers skill set. Some employers may even look down upon such knowledge. Seriously, a certain upper crust from Crystal Dynamics spent an hour presenting on how programing and science skills are counter productive to game designers..... I don't agree with this but there are a good many articles and interviews which present all sides clearly.

Would you mind going into further detail on this? I come from a programming background, currently a programmer at a console company, and I recently talked to a company about a "technical designer" position. They said they really liked me, had a great handle on the analytical aspect of design, but wasn't quick enough with creative ideas. They said this was a fairly typical trait for designers with a technical background. I agreed with their assessment, but I'm wondering if this is a stigma that is widespread and will it make it difficult to find a design job later on?

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Original post by RaydenUni I'm wondering if (1) this is a stigma that is widespread and (2) will it make it difficult to find a design job later on?

1. No.
2. Nobody can foretell your future. Demonstrate that you have awesome design ability, and you shouldn't have to worry about people's preconceptions.

Sounds good. It just made me sad that my lack of experience in creative design prevented me from getting a job that was described to me as a job for someone with a tech background and no design experience.

Now to find companies who are looking for designers who want to design mechanics, not script encounters.

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Original post by RaydenUni Now to find companies who are looking for designers who want to design mechanics, not script encounters.

You will probably never find those companies; that's almost never an entry level design position. Generally mechanic design is "Senior Systems Designer" or "Lead Designer" and it comes after 2-5 years as "Level Designer" where you build maps and script encounters.

-me

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Original post by Hodgman Game designers should never have to touch C/C++ code. At some companies they might have to do some "scripting" though, using an easier language like Lua, so having a basic understanding of programming may be helpful for you. The role of a "Game designer" changes a lot from company to company. Could be anything from describing game mechanics in fine detail to mapping out level layouts (not level artwork).

I think the message that I got was "...be a game designer if you want to be a game designer. Don't come to (insert studio x) as a programmer trying to be a game designer!" It's all in how you present yourself. ;)