Such a strong video game community, I can't help but ask. I've been on a few game projects, so I know how most of them turn out. Still, I
like designing games. A lot. So I keep asking: anyone want to make a game?
A little background:
I went to a school called DigiPen ([URL]
http://www.digipen.edu[/URL]) to learn about real-time interactive simulation. That's their fancy pants way of saying "video games." While the school offered little about game design and how to break into game design, I did learn about game development teams and planning.
My game design idol is Mark Rosewater, current head designer of Magic: The Gathering ([URL]
http://www.magicthegathering.com[/URL]). Mark had previous experience working in entertainment, while most video game designers were just programmers. I think this gives him an edge on game design because he knows how to reach out to the audience. MaRo also introduced me, through his articles, to a book called,
A Whack on the Side of the Head by Roger von Oech, a great book on how to be more creative.
So, game project? Depending on how many people we get, we may have different teams, but the major roles to fill are:
Lead Game Design - While everyone is free to submit ideas, it's always a good idea to designate someone who gets the final say on what's in and what's out. The lead designer is usually like a movie director. He doesn't necessarily write the movie, but it's his vision of it that everyone is trying to actualize.
Tech Director - Same as above, except for a different job. Tech director has to take whatever the designer/design team comes up with and map out how it's going to be coded. I speak from experience: tough job.
Art Director - With lots of people throwing ideas here and there, you need somebody to step back and make it all look good. The art director has to make the game look as cohesive as it plays (if not better).
