A report says that 78 per cent and 84 per cent of respondents hailing from the metro and tier-2 cities, respectively, were eager to join a profession in the gaming sector, Dakshita Khandelwal tells us more
How often do you get hooked to a game? Do these exciting game environments, challenging levels, and multiple features make you wonder how thrilling would it be to design one from scratch? It indeed sounds thrilling to develop a gaming universe using the ideas that are your brainchild. Gaming has become popular among individuals across all age groups, and this trend has indirectly motivated many youngsters to look at it from a career perspective. The advent of the internet and unprecedented access to technology have added to the demand for games and accelerated the overall growth of this industry.
With over 2.34 billion gamers present globally, this sector has come a long way in establishing itself as a fast-evolving segment in the entertainment arena. As per NASSCOM, the overall business done by the Indian gaming industry stands at $890 million and more than 100 game development organisations are operating in the subcontinent. The versatility and exponential growth of this sector are making it more than just a pass-time or hobby. Today, many aspirants are considering it as a viable career option. According to a recent survey conducted by the HP India Gaming Landscape Report, 78 per cent and 84 per cent of respondents hailing from the metro and tier-2 cities, respectively, were eager to join a profession in the gaming field.
Having established that gaming is becoming a preferred career choice, what professional options are present within its vast gambit?
Game Designer
In simple terms, a game designer is the architect of the game. They play a critical role in planning and defining all the elements present. Right from creating the various in-game settings, rules, story flow, levels, characters, vehicles to weapons, fall under the purview of a designer. In short, as a game designer, you are responsible for the entire game environment. It is a well-suited role for those with a creative mind and interest in designing.
Narrative Designer
These are professionals with a knack for storytelling. They work closely with game designers and help them add context to the story. Their work adds the icing on top of the gameplay. They lay the foundation of the story experience the player will have during the game. Narrative designers are responsible for enhancing the entire gaming experience. To be a successful narrative designer, you need to make words your forte. A significant part of your job role will entail writing dialogues for the characters and putting together the in-game text.
Game Animator/ Visual Artist
You can ideate top-notch characters, objects, sceneries and other elements of the game environment. However, without visual artists and designers to turn these ideas into physical forms, all planning will be washed down the drain. Within this department lie an array of roles like Concept Artists, 3D Modellers, 2D/Texture Artists and many more. Each of these has its set of responsibilities, targets and techniques of doing the job.
Sound Designer/ Audio Engineer
Imagine playing a game without any sound or music? It will get dull. Sound designers and audio engineers play a vital role in keeping the game’s realism intact and boredom at bay. They use a plethora of soundtracks and effects like gunshots, car’s vroom, crowd noise, helicopter’s whirring, and public cheering, among others, to keep the game interesting. Many sound designers even mix tunes and tracks with the help of a variety of software to create the right background music for a game.
Game Developer/ Programmer
They work in liaison with game artists, game designers, game producers and sound technicians. They ensure that the tech-based coding is synchronised with the game design. Their job helps do justice to the creative vision behind every game. A game developer or programmer tests the different codes. They fix the flaws and bugs pointed out by game testers. This role involves complex processes. To create the best possible game; a large team of programmers is required.
Game Tester
Think about a job where your primary task is to play games all day. This is the dream job for all gaming enthusiasts. A game tester does exactly this. They systematically play the test game, analyse the entire experience and note its performance. They pinpoint the errors and suggest improvements that will make the game more player-friendly. The quality and ease of playing depend on the analysis provided by these game testers.
Game Journalist/Critic
They are an integral part of the entertainment industry. It is through the eyes of these journalists and critics; customers understand the realistic overview of a game. They are professionals who are both gamers and writers. Once a game is launched, they play and explore its dynamics. Post this, they explain its ins and outs to their readers, in lucid terms.
Game Producers
To build and launch an exciting game, finance is a prerequisite that cannot be ignored. Video game producers look after this aspect of the business. They tend to all the financial details and requirements necessary for developing the end-product. They even focus on how the game will be marketed, oversee the workforce, ensure timelines are met and keep an eye on the budget constraints.
No matter what avenue you choose, remember to follow your instincts and give your 100 per cent!
The writer is Managing Partner, École Intuit Lab, New Delhi, Co-founder,JS Institute of Design