What does it take to become a video game designer?

Classes You Need to Take to Become a Video Game Designer

• Answer:

  If you love to play video games and dream of designing them yourself, colleges across the country can make your dream come true. These schools will teach you coding languages, visual design principles and software methods. You will be able to design both private and public video games and work in the simulation software industry. Introduction Class Begin your journey to becoming a video game designer by taking an introductory class. This gives you a broad summary of the game industry, game development and design process. You also learn the basic game terminology, platform comparisons and psychological concepts of interactivity and content creation. You'll briefly touch on the subjects of programming logic and design. Math Classes Math plays a large part in video game design. You need to take classes covering parametric and implicit linear equations, derivative and integral, and implementation and application of linear algebra. These skills allow you to create and manipulate two dimensional assets in video games and interactive simulation design. To apply three dimensional geometry to video games, you also have to take programming game physics. This involves matrix representations of transformation, perspective projection, rotational physics and calculation of mass properties. Laboratory Classes For hands-on experience, take laboratory classes. Practical Game Design, offered by DeVry University, teaches the basic elements used to convert your vision into a game. This includes spatial and task design, design integration, control schemes, game balancing and tuning. In other labs you explore artificial intelligence methods that include autonomous movements, path finding, decision making and genre considerations. You also learn simulation design. Creative Classes Video game design involves more than just math. You also have to meld your technical skills with artistic skills. This includes taking a couple of classes on drawing techniques, modeling, animation and game play scripting. At International Academy of Design and Technology, you also take classes on texturing, lighting, storyboarding and storytelling.