Information Technology

Components of Video Game Design

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 Objective:
Identify the components of Video Game Design

1. Specialties in the field of Game design

2. Components of video game design
2.1. Game World
2.2. Storyline
2.3. Characters
2.4. Look and feel
2.5. Content
2.6. Sound
2.7. Quality Assistance
3. Conclusions

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 1. Specialties in the field of Game design
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the field
of video game design is growing, but competition
for employment is high. To succeed as a generalist,
you must have exceptional skills and knowledge
that help you stand out in a crowded field.

Specialization in a specific area of design allows

you to market yourself as an expert, and may open
niche employment opportunities that are
inaccessible to people with “general” skills.

The process of constructing a video game requires

contributions from experts of all sorts, which
means that there is constant demand for designers
with specific skills.

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 2. Components of video game design

Game world

Sound and Storyline

Quality Assurance

Content Characters

Look and feel

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 2.1. Game World
People in this area of video game design are generalists. They are typically responsible for
designing entire worlds and have job titles like: world designers, environmental designers,
multi-player designers, online game designers, concept artists, and creative directors.

World
Designers

Environme
Creative
nt
Directors
Designers

Concept Multíplayers
Artists designers

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 A. World designers

• Responsible for each step in the

development of a video game.
Individuals in this role typically hold
senior-level and management
positions because the job requires
deep knowledge and experience in
every step of the process.

• Their responsibilities may also include

direct oversight of the
storyline/narrative, game level design,
and all the minute details of the
environment.

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 B. Environment designers
Also, called environment modelers. They design the background and scenery of a game,
which may include the architecture and landscapes, as well as all the interactions a
character will have with the virtual world. They are highly creative individuals with
extensive experience, knowledge, and skills in 2D sketching, 3D modeling and software,
architecture, fine arts, and history.

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 C. Multiplayer designers

They typically have five or

more years of experience and
are highly skilled in the areas
of programming, multiplayer
systems, design packages,
quality assurance, and
communications.
They must work well in a team
environment and have a
thorough understanding of the
overall process of game
creation.

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 D. Concept Artists

They are highly creative individuals who

produce illustrations of characters,
environments, and other game elements
from the vague ideas proposed by the
game developers or creative team. The
main goal of their work is to define a
cohesive style that will permeate the
entire video game. Their work typically
begins by presenting sketches of the
concept to the team, then refining the
drawings into sharply defined and well-
developed worlds.

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 E. Creative Directors
They oversee the entire production process, from the original concept, to design,
development, post-production, testing, marketing, and release. They are involved in
every aspect of a game and responsible for the success or failure of a game and
develop.

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 2.2. Storyline

Level Designers are responsible Mission Designers create the

to design various levels of a concepts for the “missions” that
game, which is an entry-level take place throughout a game.
position that usually requires They spend three to four years
about one or two years of in the field of game design
experience. These professionals building their creativity, writing
have strong drawing and and storytelling skills, before
sketching abilities, knowledge of advancing to senior creative
3D animation software, an roles. They demonstrate
understanding of architecture, analytical problem-solving skills
and product design. They must when working under strict
pay close attention to detail deadlines.

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 2.3. Characters
• Character • Combat
Artist system
designers
Give Responsible
concrete for
form and aesthetics or
personality armor and
to ideas weaponry,
presented by battle tactcs
developers and actions.
Record Heart & soul
movements of the game.
from live It’s the
actors using combination
digital of technical
cameras & and artistic
• Motion computers skills • Animators
capture
artists

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 2.4. Look and Feel
These professionals work to solve challenges
affecting the overall look of a shot, turning
ideas into concrete game visuals and effects.

Cinematics Designers integrate segments

of animated storytelling throughout the
narrative of a game, to enhance the plot and
character development.

Cinematic elements include recorded

dialogue, sound effects, scripting, custom
animations, and cutscenes.

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 2.5. Content

The most common job title for someone responsible

for the scripting and content of a video game is game
writer. Game writers play an integral role in game
design, especially in the early conception phase of
production where research and planning are most
intense. Common tasks of a game writer (or script
writer) include: understanding the narrative and
incidental writing needs of the game, collaborating
with mission designers to fuse their ideas with the
storyline, proofreading and rehearsing with actors
and directors, and communicating directly with the
cinematics department.

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 2.6. Sound

A sound designer, who may also be called an audio

engineer, is typically responsible for recording and
crafting audio to sync with animations in a game.

Sound designers work withsound effects, music,

ambient sound, and voices to make sure that audio
assets complement the visuals.

They may go into the field to record real-life audio

that may suit the game, especially when sounds of
vehicles or weapons are needed to enhance
cinematic qualities of the story.

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 2.7. Quality Assurance
Game testers are asked to discover and
document defects, bugs, or glitches with video
game software. These functions are a critical
part of the software testing and quality control
process.

A game tester must be highly technical and have

critical evaluation skills, expertise in computing,
and analytic ability. They must have gaming
experience, excellent writing and communication
skills to produce detailed reports.

The video game industry is a $60 billion-dollar

business that is still growing rapidly, and
consumption is not expected to slow. As demand
remains high, it’s expected that the number of
jobs will increase,

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 3. Conclusions
 Video games didn’t gain popularity until the 1970’s and
1980’s when arcade games and consoles were first
introduced to the public.

 Games like Pong, Pacman, Space Invaders, Donkey

and many others were played on popular consoles like
Atari, Nintendo, Xbox, and PlayStation, just as they are
today.

 The process of constructing a video game requires

contributions from experts of all sorts, which means
that there is constant demand for designers with
specific skills.

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