Study design and creation of video games

Many gamers or young people who have been impressed by the business figures of the games industry, especially in relation to what they charge massive online games like World of Warcraft, must have wondered what it takes to study and where you can study and get training in video games . We must distinguish mainly between game designer and game programmer or engineering, since they generally correspond to different positions in the game’s development. The programmer works in the engine, artificial intelligence, and the simulation code, but instead the designer is an artist who modeled levels, designed the characters and sometimes a good script, story and dialogues.

It is now difficult to find comprehensive training for the design and creation of video games , since as most readers know, there are great teams with many posts that make up the video game development studios, with people with different university or studies. In general terms, what can be expected that the candidate has knowledge in design, drawing, animation, graphics, logic, programming, mathematics and 3D modeling as well as passion, vocation and self-taught many years of dedication to the computer. Although video games are part of the entertainment, develop them is a serious and economically has to envy to other sectors.

In the United States and Japan, studies leading to very highly trained workers, while in the Spanish market with no qualifications fully trained. If there are options that are detailed below:

– According to an article published in Baquia, University Camilo José Cela, is taught degrees in Game Design and Development, at its campus in Madrid, Arturo Soria and a degree through the School of Design ESNE called formerly University degree in Computer Science and Engineering Video Game.

The curriculum is available on the web ESNE, consists of three courses and have subjects related to the artistic and technical drawing, digital image processing, animation, design, methodological subjects and script development and programming and marketing of the game.

– In the news portal Soitu, advanced a story about an academic degree next year from 2010-2011 in Bilbao, by DigiPen Institute of Technology, established study centers in Seattle and Singapore, being a former center of simulation and animation created in 1988 in Vancouver.

Although not clarified the curriculum, we can assume to be similar to that shown in the official website of DigiPen, but as you will see there are different graduate or bachelors. A guidance curriculum is Game design, related to game design, lighting, 3D modeling, animation, technical drawing and graphics engines.

– Another good option is to read to people who are on the road, looking for students who take time training and have experience in game design, as the blogger Epifanio, which gives views on life as a game designer.

The academies and curricula mentioned are the master designer and manufacturer of video game ICC apparently focuses on graphics and design aspects, but without programming and the choice of author for a career in video game creation Strokes, but cautions that no one solution will provide all necessary training and much depends on the motivation and learning in projects. The curriculum building Strokes video games consist of modules such as Autodesk Maya for modeling, texturing and lighting, programming module and interface design, a module of computer techniques of animation and visual effects module Nuke.

Outside of teaching Spanish market, there are very good choices in the United States and Japan. From Universia are some centers, although as is evident not worth investing so much money if at least not fluent in the language, English or Japanese, in addition to being highly motivated and know how to function in environments abroad.

The Japan Electronics College has two locations in Japan: one in Tokyo and one in Shinjuku. Currently has programs and courses, lasting up to three years, aimed at various areas that help in creating video games, whether console or PC. In the program Programming and Video Game Software , the university offers students all the knowledge and skills required to become game programmers, and graphic design. It seems that there are important studies that seek employees trained in the academy as SQUARE ENIX, CAPCOM CO and SEGA.

Web: Jec.ac.jp.

The University HAL , founded in Osaka in 1986, specializes in training professionals in the field of game design. It appears that you have to pass an entrance exam and interview. The review includes a part of logic and mathematics. Foreigners are also test your Japanese level, which must be intermediate or more because if not not understand the lessons. The teacher’s role is to show how things are done. The student is to take those lessons to the most fanciful of his imagination and create the best you can.

Web: Hal.ac.jp.

Full Sail University is located in Winter Park, Florida. In this academic learning center in the development cycle of a game, since its inception as an idea to final production with expertise in programming and design. In a second stage you learn to use programs such as Advanced Programming Tools, DirectX, OpenGL, Machine Architecture and Optimization and Software Architecture. Finally comes the final project grade and the development of a first game.

Web: Fullsail.edu.

References extra, in English:

Game Development: Harder Than You Think, article on the growing difficulties in software engineering to develop increasingly complex video games. Written by a programmer in 2004, which began more than a decade in the industry, describes graphically what aspects were necessary for the first games in 2D and as has been complicating the architecture of video games to reach the 3D games multiplayer.

So you want to be a Game Designer, Art with views of industry professionals of repute who have participated in projects like Planescape Torment, System Shock 2, Silent Hill, Unreal Tournament, on the game design as work their way in this employment sector.