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By Posted in Tools 7 Comments

The best way to learn how to make a video game, is to make a video game. And the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll see the look of surprise on your friends’ faces the first time they play a game made by you.

But you’re probably asking yourself, what’s the very first step I should take? What free game development tools should I use?

It may seem overwhelming at first, but fear not. These free game engines will get you started fast. Even if you don’t know programming, you can make your first game starting today.Read more »

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By Posted in Podcast, Schools 40 Comments

In this episode of Game Industry Career Guide Podcast, I answer a question from Chris B., who’s wondering how a computer science degree would be used in the video game industry?

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why a computer science (CS) degree is helpful for a job in game design
  • How a CS degree could help you get one of the highest-paying jobs in the game industry
  • How a CS degree can provide critical job security when times get tough

Read more »

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By Posted in Careers, Podcast No Comments

This is the first episode of my new Game Industry Career Guide Podcast. I answer a question from Michael M., who asks “I’ve wanted to become a video game designer for awhile but I also wanted to be able to do everything else like art and programming. How hard would it be to do that, if it’s even possible at all?”

In this episode, you’ll learn:

  • Why working with a team to make a video game is better than going it alone
  • Why the best game designers also know about game programming and game art
  • Which classes you can take in high school to give yourself a head start on becoming a game designer

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By Posted in Careers 14 Comments
Which degree is required to become a Game Designer?
Which degree is required to become a Game Designer?

Is your quest to become a video game designer? If so, you might feel that you’re facing a difficult journey with many decisions to make. Should you go to a video game college, state college or private university? Should you focus on programming, design, or art? Is a 4-year degree enough or is more required of you?

There are many roads to take, and many educational paths to choose. Which one leads to your dream job making games?Read more »

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By Posted in Careers 20 Comments
This is one of more than 30 interviews with professional game developers. For more, visit Which game job is right for you?.

If you’re passionate about video games, you’ve probably wondered what it would be like to design your own. But what is it really like to become a game designer? What does a game designer do all day? What skills and talents does it require, and how can you get started?

To answer these questions and more, we asked professional game designers including: senior game designer Kelly Toyama (Riot Games, Monolith, Wizards of the Coast), multi-talented game designer/artist/programmer Mandi Burley (Glu Mobile, Disney Playdom), senior game designer Kim McAuliffe (Project Spark, SOCOM4), and design director Hal Milton (Marvel: Avengers Alliance, D&D Online, Ultima Online).

Below you’ll find their their unfiltered thoughts on how you can prepare yourself for a game design education. Follow their advice, and one day you just might follow in their footsteps.

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By Posted in Careers 63 Comments
This is one of more than 30 interviews with professional game developers. For more, visit Which game job is right for you?.
Mandi Grant, Video Game Level Designer
“Playing games is the best education, if you’re thinking critically as you play.”

Meet Mandi Grant, Level Designer

Mandi has been in the game industry for a long time, and has played many roles in the design as well as the art departments. Today we’re talking with her about her job as a video game level designer.

Pay special attention to her advice on how artistic talent plays a critical role in the level design process. Read more »

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By Posted in Careers 7 Comments
eBook: How to make games that don't suck
Don’t you wish it was this easy?

It’s easy to dream up an idea for a new game. Nearly everyone seems to have at least one great game design they’d love to bring into the world, given the chance.

But game design isn’t a single skill set. To become a good game designer, you’ll need to build a variety of skills such as cinematic storytelling, interaction design, level design, game engines, and more. Not to mention, learning all about the business of the video game industry.

That’s why I asked some of today’s top game designers for their must-read books for learning game design. Jenova Chen (Journey, Flower), Hal Milton (Marvel: Avengers Alliance) and Kelly Toyama (Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines) are industry titans, and you’ll find their all-time best books for learning game design below. At first, some may not seem to be about game design at all. That’s because the game design skill set is bigger than just learning game engines. Trust the experts: dig in and find out why.Read more »

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By Posted in Careers 12 Comments

If you’re an aspiring video game designer, you already know a ton about games. And if you’re anything like the ones I know, you probably spend more time playing games than you’d like to admit to your parents, or your friends… or maybe even yourself.

But if you’re preparing for a video game design career, you need to do more than just play games and read design books. Just knowing how to build games isn’t enough. You’ve got to know how to build experiences.

I spoke with some of this decade’s top game designers to get their unfiltered advice on how you can prepare yourself for a game design education. Follow their advice, and one day you just might follow in their footsteps.Read more »

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By Posted in Careers 320 Comments
This article is part of the Video Game Developer Salary series. See the annual pay for all video game jobs here.
Man wondering How much do game designers make?
You can make games. But can you make money?

Table of Contents

  1. How much do game designers make?
  2. Game Designer salary: Factors
  3. Search for Game Design jobs
  4. Game Designer salary: Details
  5. Other factors that affect Designer salary
  6. Demand for Game Designers
  7. Should I become a Game Designer?

When people find out that I work at a game studio, there’s always one or two in the group that excitedly explain how badly they want to become a video game designer. They love to play games, talk about games, and read news about games. Boy oh boy, they’re passionate about games!

I always encourage them to follow that passion. But I also temper it by describing what a brutally hard job it can be at times. Once their enthusiasm simmers down a bit, the next question is usually a little more practical: How much do video game designers make?

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