8 replies to this topic

[Bill Fountaine]

I want to design the characters, the story, the gameplay, things of that nature. And i've been told countless times that programming is the quick way in. Problem is, I am trying programming...and I am getting nowhere. It's too technical for me, too many numbers and such involved.

When it comes to my creative side..thats a problem, because I am always thinking about the stuff I like, show/game wise, and all that does is make me discard anything I think of because I don't want to copy something popular/something I have seen, think of it as a creative roadblock.

[chaosavy]

you could try joining some indie teams, getting stuff accomplished, building a portfolio and then seeing if you meet the demand with a game studio.

[MSW]

There is no computer programming involved to create card games, board games, pen and paper RPGs, miniature and token basied war and strategy games, dice games, gambling games, choose your own adventure type book games, sport games, improv games, and the list goes on.

Why not try to apply your creativity in those game development areas?

[Tom Sloper]

1. Is it difficult getting into the creative side of the game business?
2. I want to design the characters, the story, the gameplay, things of that nature.
3. And i've been told countless times that programming is the quick way in.
4. When it comes to my creative side..thats a problem, because I am always thinking about the stuff I like, show/game wise, and all that does is make me discard anything I think of because I don't want to copy something popular/something I have seen, think of it as a creative roadblock.

1. You already know it is. Why bother asking a question you already know the answer to?
2. In other words, you want to be a game designer. Have you read any of the articles on my website? Do you have a breaking-in plan?
3. Those people who tell you that are not listening to you. Why listen to people who don't listen to you? Either they're not answering the questions you're asking, or you're asking them the wrong questions.
4. OK, and your point is...? Do you have a question?

[Tyberthia]

4. When it comes to my creative side..thats a problem, because I am always thinking about the stuff I like, show/game wise, and all that does is make me discard anything I think of because I don't want to copy something popular/something I have seen, think of it as a creative roadblock.

I think he means he can't make a distinction between being inspired by and just blatantly copying an idea.


I will use the popular Warcraft game of Blizzard Entertainment as example.


Did Blizzard invent the Orcs as part of their game? No, they did not! (People believe Tolkien did, but even he was inspired) They were inspired by myths and other writers who used it in their story. Inspired is keyword here. It isn't wrwong to use ideas of others. Being 100% unique and original is near to impossible. The thing we have to make sure is that we give the old our own special touch. Like the Orcs of Warcraft are Warcraft's Orcs that can only be placed in the games of Blizzard!


Copying is bad, mmmkay.
Inspired by is good, mmmkay!


Hopefully that helped you a tiny bit.

[Kylotan]

I want to design the characters, the story, the gameplay, things of that nature. And i've been told countless times that programming is the quick way in. Problem is, I am trying programming...and I am getting nowhere. It's too technical for me, too many numbers and such involved.

Most designers I've worked with end up spending a lot of time writing scripts (eg. programming), or balancing data in spreadsheets (eg. 'many numbers'), or both.

This is because most games are essentially about mathematics in some form or other, and that game design is about designing systems. It's rarely a case of dreaming up cool ideas and having other people make them - you have to do a fair bit of the 'making' too.

Also, getting into the industry generally requires some sort of portfolio to demonstrate your work, and that work should be towards an actual game. You might do this with design modifications to an existing game, which will often require some degree of technical work. You might well get somewhere with a game that uses a different medium, as MSW has pointed out, but when it comes to getting a job in the industry there is often no alternative to getting your hands dirty with the computer-specific aspects.

Which is not to say you should carry on trying to be a programmer as such, but that you should resign yourself to the fact that being a designer for computer games will usually require some technical skills of some sort. Improving those will improve your chances.

[geolycosa]

Kylotan is right. Scripting is an integral part of the designer's job. Sitting in my office thinking or writing about what I want to do is probably 5% of my work day. The rest is spent programming stuff, or pouring over massive Excel documents. Learn Lua, Python or C# - these languages aren't very difficult. If you can't get the hang of scripting, you might want to steer your game development career toward production or marketing.

[aersixb9]

Maybe try making a mod of a game or from a toolkit, like a free game making kit or mod a similar game to produce your game more easily, like from a starcraft 2 base. If your story is good your mod will be popular and people might give you stuff or a job or something. If not, at least making mods uses similar tools and skills to making an entire game.

[TechnoGoth]

3D Modelling and Level design are also two routes into the creative side of the game industry. Many popular games these days have level building and moding tools take a look at those for your favourite game and become an active member of the level building and moding community for that game. Not only will the give you a chance to try out your creative side but you will also you valuable experience and user feedback on what works and doesn’t. That way once you’ve gained some exposure and built up a portfolio of work you can showcase should want to apply for level designer job at a games company.