The steps of becoming a a video game creator

[SlickSpencer8]

*I am not sure if this is the right place to put this or not. If not then a mod can move if he/she would pleases to*

 

But anyways, in the past couple years I have been thinking about being a video game creator and such for maybe a police game. and somewhat realistic type games. Basically role-playing games.

 

Now that being said. I would imagine their is someone on this forum that I can basically explain to me the steps of becoming one and maybe explain what could be the worst and best about the career and the money and effort that would reqire and just as much detail as possiable.

 

By the way, I have tried looking but no effect. But is thier anywere I can maybe put a suggestion for a game. Thanks!

 

Any help is appreciated and guides is helpful

 

[Jake]

Well first you'd have to create an engine or acquire a known engine whether free or paid for.

 

Here is one. http://irrlicht.sourceforge.net/

 

That's a basic start. Then you have to learn how to code. And create graphical work such as textures in Photoshop and 3D models in whatever other program. And implement it all together.

 

These things take years to learn and generally you take courses in colleges to acquire the knowledge or self learn for quite a while. And I don't imagine people usually learn everything. I'd think you generally pick one skill and expand upon it.

 

But what do I know. I've never created a game.

 

Oh by the way, the engine has 23 tutorials and/or guides in it.

[SlickSpencer8]

Thanks for the help! Anyone else?

[Tchuck]

What part of the game do you want to create?

Looking at the credits for any recent game, you'll find numerous different positions. While not all exist at the smaller studio, they're becoming more common. Do you want to work with art? There's modelers, texture artists, level designers, animators just to name a few. Do you want to program? Do you want to work with sound? Do you want to just be a tester? Do you want to be a producer? Do you want to be a designer? What kind of designer?

 

Is it possible to create a game on your own? Sure it is. Is it difficult? You bet. Will it take a long time? As long as it takes for it to be done. Do you want to work in an established studio or do your own thing? Do you want to make games as a passion or to make money off of it?

 

In any case, I find it hard that you didn't find anything useful. A quick google of the term "game design" yields a ton of results that would help you. You simply didn't look hard enough. When it comes to the gaming industry, hard enough is in the very least expected if you intend to last in/get in it.

 

Either way, I'll be a good guy and link you to this one guy called Tom Sloper. Read all of the faqs he lists there. Then once you're done, read it again. Then start to figure out if working in the game industry is for you. And make gamasutra your home page, it always has a lot of good articles on game design.

[K^2]

First question should be, are you actually good at anything?

[meta187]

Full Sail University in Orlando is some grossly overpriced bullsh*t that cashes in on the fact that you now have an entire generation of people who want to be game designers now but it is one of the better places to start if you want to seriously pursue this.

 

http://www.fullsail.edu/

[S.A. Lowell]

The people here have done a good job outlining what it takes. It will be a ton of work. But if you can't do all the hard and tedious work you won't make it. Once you actually acquire the skills and start designing stuff it is rewarding for someone who truly enjoys it... The time seems daunting, it will take a lot of it, don't let this fact and the amount of work ruin you as it does most people who end up quitting. Don't underestimate it either. I've come across too many people who think it'll be simple and quick. Spoiler: they never made it.

 

Get started as soon as possible. Perhaps as soon as you read the replies here. Find an area you want to specialize in or take a bite out of it all. But don't wait, the sooner the better. Whether you learn on your own or go to school is up to you, either way is possible. If you learn on your own then make sure to develop some sort of game(s) so you can start a portfolio. When employers see that you are dedicated and know what you're doing then you have a great chance, that's how my experience has been with programming over the years.

 

I don't think I have to go into the finer details right? I believe the others linked to some pretty good sources and information. Hopefully something I said is helpful and added to what they said. Don't let anything I said that seems negative keep you away.

[trip]

I don't want to discourage you, but I'm guessing you have aspirations to design the next AAA title. Take a look at the credits of one of your favorite games and notice how large the crew is. Except that fact that you are just one person with some free time to learn some skills. Start small...very small.

 

My suggestion is to study video game theory. Having played games your whole life really isn't enough. There is a whole science behind it all. In the end video games are just optical illusions and other brain tricks shown on a 2D screen.

 

It seems that level designers are a good way to get a foot in. Shawn Elliot is a great example of that. He went from being a game journalist to a working developer(level designer) thanks to his ability to work with the released tools and designing his own levels in his spare time.

 

Heavy modders get noticed too. Look at the CS guys. Their hobby landed them full time gigs as designers.

 

You may want to look around some of the indie game forums and see if you can get a spot on a team.

 

 

 

 

Really though. I hear you. I wanted to be a game designer too. I actually was in talks with EA Sports Canada in the early 90s, but didn't take the job for various reasons - mainly I didn't think the industry was going to be as strong as it is, and I really didn't want to move to western Canada. They were shocked when I said no.

 

And since I'm here posting in this thread, I might as well announce that I am a few days away from releasing my first game to the xbox indie market.

[coin-god]

Indi just gave you good advice, build up an online portfolio with your work. Update it as often as you can. And send CV's to every single company you would like to work with.

I started working on my portfolio 4 months ago, and I'm still not finished with it. I'm working on lots of small projects to showcase in it.

 

But you have to Do something to get their attention.

Edited January 2, 2012 by goin-god

[Typhus]

Well, LittleBigPlanet has really helped people create games even without lots of fancy degrees and intricate knowledge of programming. Here is my theory, sometime soon we will have a version of LBP which will have passable graphics instead of the cartoony feel and allow users to create basic games.

LBP is good but has always been hamstrung by its kid-friendly vibe. I think someone will eventually improve on the idea.

 

Many of us have ideas for games, but no one listens to ideas unless you've got the credentials and skills to back them up. One day you'll be able to easily convert ideas into something tangible.

[DP Man]

Start off small man, ever heard of Indie games? I say start there

[ccrogers15]

I use the unity engine, and im working on 1 project by my self for PS3. I intend to be a PS3 exclusive developer. My first games will be PS3 minis. The game im making is a driving simulator. Been looking for people to join me. Im also interested in it. Also, unity can be used to make FPS, 2D, and 3D games. It has made big games as well. It can develop games for PS3, Wii, 360, Android, IOS, Mac and Windows too.

Edited January 5, 2012 by ccrogers15

[Snake Without a Tongue]

Full Sail University in Orlando is some grossly overpriced bullsh*t that cashes in on the fact that you now have an entire generation of people who want to be game designers now but it is one of the better places to start if you want to seriously pursue this.

 

 

All paid schools are BS, but Full Sail did get me a job as a camera man at a local news station when I was 19. At least they do teach you crap. I had a girlfriend who went to film school at NYU and couldn't get a job.

 

Anyhoo... to the OP, just look at the resumes of whoever you want to imitate and follow that. It's not as if there's such a thing as 'game creator'.

[Guns N R0se]

I kinda laugh when I hear people say "I wanna be a video game designer!". I go to a school with a Game and Sim program and I feel bad for them. Everyone of them thinks "oh boy! I'm going to be making the next Call of Duty or Halo!!" when in actuality, few if any of them will. At best they'll be making 99 cent apps for iphones.

[CryptReaperDorian]

Well, LittleBigPlanet has really helped people create games even without lots of fancy degrees and intricate knowledge of programming. Here is my theory, sometime soon we will have a version of LBP which will have passable graphics instead of the cartoony feel and allow users to create basic games.

LBP is good but has always been hamstrung by its kid-friendly vibe. I think someone will eventually improve on the idea.

 

Many of us have ideas for games, but no one listens to ideas unless you've got the credentials and skills to back them up. One day you'll be able to easily convert ideas into something tangible.

I would say LBP is possibly one of the most innovative games for consoles. Media Molecule gives you a whole bunch of tools to expand onto the game, or you can even go further by making it a very different game. The most shocking part is that people only need to follow tutorials that don't take long at all to start designing some pretty awesome levels. I have high respect for Media Molecule for releasing a game series that actually caters to the needs of gamers that actually want to feel like they can design something without having to follow (oftenly) complicated tutorials.

 

Another game on consoles that I find somewhat innovative is Far Cry 2. When it comes to FPS games, is there any other games on consoles that has a better map editor than Far Cry 2?

 

 

So, for a course that's pretty complicated (game developing that is), I'm in support of game developers actually giving us products with editting/modding tools that are quite easy to use.