Hello Again Guys!
As i said, i'm starting to develop games, but i know almost nothing of theory of Game Design.
For game programming, is very important to know Game Design theory before do it?
Thank you guys!
Hello Again Guys!
As i said, i'm starting to develop games, but i know almost nothing of theory of Game Design.
For game programming, is very important to know Game Design theory before do it?
Thank you guys!
Yes, Game Design is fundamental to the game. You can't program a game without a game first! :).
I found this immensely helpful for starting me off in game design: https://gamedesignconcepts.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/level-1-overview-what-is-a-game/
Start very small and often with your designs and just keep on incrementing. You'll eventually start entering the realms of programming games, a lot of information can be found about that in the programming section.
To do game programming you don't need to know Game Design theory. You only need to learn game design if your going to be designing games. Otherwise you just need the ability to take someone else's requirements (in this case from a game design) and develop the code to implement them.
If you instead plan on implementing your own games ideas, then yes you will need to learn some game design theory.
Hello Again Guys!
As i said, i'm starting to develop games, but i know almost nothing of theory of Game Design.
For game programming, is very important to know Game Design theory before do it?
Thank you guys!
Nope. Game design is important when designing games, but it's not required to learn how to program games. Many programmers aren't designers, and many designers aren't programmers.
For learning about game programming, the most important thing is programming. And reading about programming. And talking with other programmers (like on this forum) about programming.
I wouldn't want to work with a game programmer that knows nothing about game design
I also don't like to work with designers that knows nothing about programming
You don't have to be an expert, but it really helps communication if you at least know something about the other guys field, and having an attitude of wanting to know about it.
It also builds trust and mutual respect.
But you don't need to know it first, if you are just starting out, just concentrate on learning whatever you want to have as your main focus.
Then widen your horizon.
You say you want to start developing games... do you mean as an Indie? If yes, do you plan to work in a team or as a lone wolf? If you work in a team, what do the people in the team bring to the table in terms of skill?
If you develop a game on your own, you will have to fill ALL roles of course. You will have to do the design and implement it yourself. The good news is, depending on your goal (creating games as a hobby or as learning expieriences as opposed to create games that will sell on the market and pay your bills) you might get away with limited designs that work more or less.
A Portfolio piece for a game programmer job does not need to highlight your game design skills... it has to be exemplary for your game programming skills. The game design in this case is just there to give the code meaning and can actually be borrowed from the classics.
A personal hobby project can have any kind of weird and wonderful game design you can come up with. I would go out on a limb and claim many non commercial projects have quite elaborate and baroque designs with many layers of intertwined mechanics... of course chances are good this complex design is nowhere near balanced and might not work all that well. It might not be fun at all. But if it doesn't need to sell, it doesn't matter.
If you want to go Indie and really create games that sell, you will have to get into design to some degree... maybe you are lucky and are able to work with a skilled designer that will craft the mechanics for you to implement. Chances are you will not. And as others have said, there is no harm in knowing something about Game design anyway, even if you end up being "just" the programmer working together with dedicated game designers.
For game programming, is very important to know Game Design theory before do it?
I think it's gotta be a bit like trying to design a house. You can probably put some assorted things together instinctually and end up with something that's functional and that you're happy with but you're more likely to live up to other people's expectations if you have had more experience, especially if you're asking them for money. Not a big deal if you're building something for a hobby but if you're planning on running a business you'll obviously want every advantage to help your product to be received positively.
I don't know about game design, but I think it helps alot to have a good idea of what you're trying to accomplish so you can work towards that goal. I think that with those who have more experience it's less important but when starting out clear goals are a really good idea. At least thats my opinion.