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Breaking Into The Video Game Design Field
Breaking Into The Video Game Design Field
If you’re a dedicated gamer, you’ve probably said more than once, “I should go into video game design, I could make stuff even cooler than this!” In fact, there is currently a great demand for individuals in the video game industry, but not everyone who loves to play games can successfully design them. There is a big gap between knowing what makes a great game and being able to actually design a game that fits those criteria.
The current demand for video game design experts is why more colleges than ever are offering courses in computer game design and computer animation studies under various titles. The best courses offer a degree that thoroughly covers everything from the basics of computer animation to game script development.
Education Plus Personality Equals Success in Video Game Design
Today’s game design companies are looking for a combination of talents and knowledge that can only come from experience and education with a good dash of the right kind of personality as well. Some people are avid gamers but simply don’t have the dedication and attention to detail that is necessary to become a designer, while others have the creative personality, attention to detail and striking concepts but have never bothered to get the educational background required to hit the ground running. There are several things that are key to success in video game design, including:
A background in computer animation and game design
This is where a solid college education comes in. Because the industry is constantly changing, you need a degree from an accredited university that keeps up with changes in the industry and has experienced professionals teaching the courses. You need to understand and be able to execute the steps of animation and design from the inside out to be successful.
Discipline and attention to detail
There is so much more to video game design than just having a great concept. You need to be able to develop detailed, precise flow charts for different levels and possible outcomes and be able to precisely structure the theme and mission of a game concept. Continuity, clean execution and flawless design are all the result of discipline and attention to detail.
Understanding of character and story development
In other words, you can’t just be all action oriented. A good college course will have courses that help you develop story structure and individualize characters so that they aren’t simply “cardboard stereotypes.” The uniqueness of each character and story can make or break a video game design, so be sure you’ve learned these skills.
Script writing
You can design the action, but you must also tell the story. If you are going to get a degree that relates to video game design and/or computer animation (both excellent choices), check out the curriculum to be sure you will learn script writing. Additionally, it may be a good idea to take a course or two in creative writing to further hone your skills. It also helps if you’re an avid reader who enjoys fantasy and adventure.
If you have the personal characteristics you can attend a good college that teaches you the right skills. Look for one that offers a good range of animation and gaming courses and includes the development of a complete portfolio. The portfolio is an indication that you will leave being able to complete a gaming project and that you will have a concrete example of your work for prospective employers to review. From there, your career in video game design will take flight.
Looking Into Live Dealer Casinos
Looking Into Live Dealer Casinos
One of the newest phenomena in the online casino world is that of live dealer casinos. This is interesting for several reasons. One of the main detriments to playing online is the lack of human interaction and the idea that the gaming program might not be replicating real game play. A person would log onto a cold computer program and play against some algorithm for hours and hours possibly without ever feeling like they were part of the true gaming experience.
Live dealer casinos have alleviated this problem by putting actual human beings behind the tables and dealing the cards. Because of faster Internet connections and technology that makes meetings and the like possible, players are able to play against a dealer literally a world away.
Live dealer casinos are not without its detractors though. Some players that have played on live dealer casinos complain at the speed in which the dealers deal, or the fact that they take breaks, talk, etc… These are some of the pitfalls that accompany playing with a live human being. Human beings are going to talk, take breaks, etc… If a player is looking for a game in where there are no game interruptions they should simply stay with the computer gaming programs and quit complaining. I hate to break it to them but every single time that I’ve played on a gaming table in Reno or Las Vegas there was a live dealer and they took breaks, talked, some were slower, and hey, some barely even spoke English. But that’s part of the entire experience that someone has got to expect if they are looking for the genuine experience, plain and simple.
One of the genuine downsides to live dealer casinos, though, is the problem encountered by many players in where the dealer is dealing unfairly or is simply cheating. In Las Vegas, for example, the dealers are very strictly monitored by both the casino in the event that they are skimming and by the gaming commission in the event that they are violating the law. Additionally, if a player has a complaint against the dealer they can also tell the pit boss who will hear their complaint. None of these safeguards are in place for the player in a live dealer casino. If they are monitored by the casinos themselves those safeguards are not necessarily as strictly enforced as they are in the traditional casinos. A player has to be especially wary when entering a live dealer casino to play a game that they aren’t necessarily very experienced at.
Live dealer casinos are a great alternative for online casino players looking for a little more traditional experience and they are a great place to look. Just keep in mind that like everything in the online world they aren’t without their possible pitfalls.