How To Become A Game Designer: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Top Colleges, Abroad, Jobs, Scope, Salary

Steps to Follow to Become a Game Designer 

A general guideline of steps to follow to become a Game Designer after class 12th has been described below.

Decision Making 

Before embarking on the journey to study to become a Game Designer it is important to make certain decisions. Understand what your interests are, which subjects do you have to study at class 12th and bachelors level, are there any specializations to choose from etc. Candidates must also understand the job outlook of the industry. They must research well about the Game Designing Industry and know about the pros and cons of the same. They must keep a check about the market trends as well as the demand of the industry as having these points in mind will provide an upper hand.

Subject Choices 

For a bachelors course, candidates need to pass their class 12th from a recognized board of education. They must have Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with Computers as an optional subject at their school level. They must also have English as their optional subject. For candidates with no programming knowledge, a diploma or certificate course in C+ or C++ or Python can be taken up. Masters level courses require candidates to possess a bachelor's degree in the same subject. They must wisely choose the stream at the undergraduate and postgraduate level as it will help them in making the way for their future.

Entrance Examination Preparation 

Admissions to bachelors and master-level courses are done through entrance tests. After shortlisting for a college and course, start preparing for the entrance test. Look up the syllabus and paper pattern. Download past papers to help with revision and practice. The entrance test, in most institutes, is the first step in the admission process. Students must go through the syllabus of the exam and solve previous year exam papers to get an overview of the exam pattern. They can also seek help from youtube or other online sources. They must prepare notes regarding the topics of the syllabus and revise thoroughly before the exam.

Selecting Correct Colleges 

Choosing the right college is important to ensure one is getting the most for their money. Look up national college rankings for the best college and best college subject wise. Take note of reviews and suggestions of graduated students on educational forums. They must research the top colleges offering the course, to become a Game Designer. They must evaluate the colleges on the basis of some important factors like Fees, Location, Faculty, Infrastructure, facility, Placement, etc. Having the right college at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level will help the student to easily excel and become a game Designer.

Types of Game Designers 

Within an organisation, based on the profession or job responsibilities there can be several types of Game Designers. Some of the types have been elaborated below.

Level Designer 

The Level Designer is responsible for designing all the levels in a game. The Level Designer decides where to put props, items, characters in each level. Much of the decisions made by the Level Designers are carried out by a Junior Designer while the Level Designer does some of the art parts. He or She is the creator of the levels within a game, mapping out the layout to functions within the rules of the game and executing gameplay as created by the Game Designer. 

Their responsibility includes Sketch and map out each level, Render each level to a 3D environment, Create entry and exit points for each level, etc. The average salary of Level Designer is INR 5.3 LPA which may gradually increase with experience.

Content Designer 

The Content Designer is responsible for the script of the game. A lot of emphasis is placed on the storyline of the game and a good story can make or break the game. The Game Designer controls the overall flow of missions and story progression of the game. They use data and testing to understand what people need and then try to meet those needs in an organisation. 

Content designers are responsible for creating, updating and reviewing content around the end-to-end user journey and are comfortable using evidence, data for the gaming industry. The average salary of such professionals is INR 5.5 LPA which gradually grows with experience and time.

System Designer 

The System Designer is hired to focus on one aspect of game design. For example, one System Designer might concentrate on character or avatar building while another might work on the weapons etc. Within an organisation, there will be multiple System Designers working with each other. They create the software systems that will power a video game. 

They are brought in early in the development process to analyse the scope and design of the game to set up the platforms in a game. They create detailed design documentation for the development of computer systems in accordance with business needs and the average salary is around INR 6 LPA.

UI Designer 

The UI Designer is tasked with ensuring the user experience while playing the game is smooth. They make sure there are no hitches in communication between the game and the player. Admittedly, this is one of the more important roles in Game Design. They work closely with user experience (UX) designers and other design specialists in an organisation. 

Their job is to make sure that every page and every step a user will experience in their interaction with the finished product will conform to the overall vision created by UX designers for a game. The average salary of a UI Designer is around INR 8 LPA depending upon various factors.

Basis of experience 

Junior Designer 

A Junior Designer is an entry-level job position. They work under a Senior or Lead Designer. Much of the work a Junior Designer does is to learn about the industry and the organization. If one is making the switch within game genres or systems, they can consider the Junior Designer position.

Senior Designer

A Senior Designer title is awarded to a person with much work experience and a vast portfolio of work. They are able to handle all responsibilities related to Game Design. A Senior Designer will have Junior Designers working under them.

Lead Designer 

The Lead Designer in an organization manages the entire team of designers. They ensure the goal of the game design is intact, any roadblocks are being tackled, work is being assigned and all designers are motivated. The Lead Designer also evaluates the work done by all designers and orders work to be redone if it is not up to mark.

Design Director

The Design Director is the person on top. They lead the entire division or design department. A candidate with more than 10 plus years of experience in the field and previous experience as a leader is usually chosen to be a Design Director. The Design Director is the best in the field and is considered the cream of the crop.

How to Become a Game Designer in India? 

For certain courses, one needs to pick up on specific streams and subjects at the class 12th level at school. For Game Design courses, the school level preparation has been described below.

School Level Preparation 

At the school level, candidates need to finish from any stream. If individuals wish to pursue a bachelors in Software Engineering then Science stream graduates are preferred. A minimum aggregate score of 50% and above is required from a recognized board of education.

UG Preparation 

After completing class 12th, applicants have the option to enrol on a bachelors course or a masters course. For a bachelor's degree, candidates need to apply for entrance tests at institutes and universities. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for personal interviews at the institute post which admission will be offered. The duration of a bachelor's degree in Game Design is 3 years. The degrees one can expect to earn are B.Sc, B. Des or B.A. in Game Design.

PG Preparation 

Masters level courses in Game Design are taught for over 2 years. Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree in a similar field. An admission test will also be conducted for admission in most institutes.

Courses to Become a Game Designer 

To get started in a career as a Game Designer, individuals need to be aware of the course choices. The available courses, at all levels of education, are as below.

Diploma in Game Design 

Diploma course in Game Design is a one-year long course that is taught both in online and offline mode. The course admits students who have finished their 10+2 level examination. Diploma courses are available in various specialisations and are perfect to add to a candidate’s resume.

Diploma in Game Design: Admission Process 

• Open up the institute of choice’s website
• Navigate to course and click on ‘Apply Now’
• Create a profile and log in
• Fill up the application form with correct details
• Upload documents like mark sheets and photographs
• Pay the application fee and click submit.

BDes Game Design 

BDEs Game Design is a 3 year UG course where students study topics related to the gaming industry and related fields. This course challenges students’ mind and teaches the nuances of creating compelling and clever gaming platforms.

BDes Game Design: Admission Process 

• Take note of notification for entrance tests at universities.
• Open up the university website and apply for the entrance examination.
• Download the admit card and sit for the examination on said date.
• After qualifying for a rank, attend subsequent admission rounds like a personal interview.
• If an admission offer letter is given, apply by paying an admission fee.

B.Des. Game Design: How to Apply for the Exam 

• Look up when the application window for examination of choice opens up
• Open up the official website of the university
• Create a profile using a valid phone number and email id
• Log in and start applying by filling up the application form
• Pay the application fee and download the receipt

B.Des. Game Design: How to Prepare for the Exam 

• Download the examination syllabus and paper pattern
• Download any past papers if available
• Take advice and read through candidate experience of past examinations
• Practice about learned material using

B.Sc. (Game Designing and Development)

BSc Game Designing and Development is a 3-year UG course that studies the fundamentals of game development that includes strategy, creativity and implementation. This course deals with advanced technical skills and code languages in a game.

BSc Game Designing and Development: Admission 

• The candidates who want to pursue a BSc Game Designing and Development will have to fill the application form.
• Few Game Design institutes may also conduct an admission test to intake students. 
• The admission test is basically meant to test the designing skills and innovativeness of the candidates skills and knowledge.

MSc Game Design and Development

MSc Game Design and Development is a 2year PG course that makes students ready to take up a career in Game Designing, Game Development, Game Programming, and in various gaming related companies.

How to Become Game Designer Abroad 

International universities in many countries offer Game Design courses in different specialisations. The top courses, country-wise, have been tabulated below.

UK 

The United Kingdom has full time and part-time bachelors and masters courses in Games Design. The duration for bachelors programmes is between 3 to 4 years while masters courses are of 2 years. International students need to submit English proficiency test scores like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE etc. Among documents to be submitted a portfolio is essential for previous work.

Top Colleges 

US 

In the United States universities have bachelors and masters courses in Game Design and Interactive Media Design. The duration of bachelors and masters courses is 4 years and 2 years respectively. Similar to UK universities, an English proficiency test score needs to be submitted. 

Accepted scores are TOEFL, SAT, ACT, GMAT, GRE etc. Candidates also need to submit a portfolio, letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose along with the application.

Top Colleges

Canada 

Canadian colleges offer undergraduate and postgraduate certificates and diplomas in Game Design. International students need to be fluent in French or English and submit relevant test scores. Recommendation letters from a previous teacher have to be submitted with the application. Some colleges ask for a portfolio of previous work to be submitted.

Top Colleges

Australia 

Universities in Australia have full-time and part-time degree programmes in Game Design. Courses are of duration in 3 to 2 years respectively. All international students must be fluent in English as classes are taught in English. Financial aid is available on the basis of eligibility criteria.

Top Colleges 

Benefits of Career as a Game Designer 

The benefits of a career as a Game Designer are unique and not enjoyed in other fields. If one has the ardency for video games and is adept at designing, Game Design is an apt career for them. Some other benefits one can expect to earn are as follows.

Salary 

Game Designing is a competitive and tough field to break into. If one is successful in securing a new job, the rewards are attractive. New graduates, with less than a year of experience, get paid INR 4.83 LPA. This amount increases up to INR 51 LPA with more experience.

Job Security 

To achieve job security in any field will require much perseverance and hard work from the candidate. With enough experience and networking in the field, people do enjoy job security. An impressive portfolio will also bring in job opportunities for candidates.

Positive Impact of the career 

For highly creative individuals, Game Design is a great way to exercise their creative legs. Several companies allow much independence to the designer in terms of the game design. A good game leaves many people, from young kids to adults happy.

Higher Studies 

Game Designers have the option of higher studies at all stages of education. For a class 12th student to a masters degree holder, the options are varied. Individuals can choose to study a diploma, pg diploma, bachelors or a masters in Game Design.

Unique Experience 

Game Design is a unique field in terms of job responsibilities. Game Designers need to possess a high level of creativity and passion for video games. The work is tough but a well-executed project is mentally invigorating.

Skills Required for Game Designer 

A good Game Designer needs to absorb skills and personality traits that will make them stand out from the competition. The table below lists the top skills required for a Game Designer to possess.

Salary of Game Designers in India 

The salary individuals can earn after completing a Game Design course depends on the work experience and capabilities of the individuals. Other factors that also matter are the gender of the applicant and specialisation. All salaries have been outlined below.

Specialisation Wise Salary 

Experience Wise 

After the Game Designer Course 

New graduates of Game Designing courses have the option to either seek out a job or look for higher education options. Both options have been elucidated below.

Higher Education 

Depending on the level of education of the candidate, there is a higher education option. For class 12th graduates, diploma and PG diploma degrees in Game Design are available. At the next level, there is a bachelor's degree in Software Programming. Undergraduate degree holders also can enrol on masters courses in Game Design nationally and internationally.

Start Job 

The Game Design field is competitive and highly saturated. Individuals with relevant experience can work as Game Designer, Game Developer or Game Artists. The pay range for all experience levels of Game Designers is between INR 4.8 to INR 51 LPA.