Video games are one of the fastest growing areas of the entertainment industry.  It’s estimated that by 2011 the video game industry will be twice as big as the music industry.  In the United States alone, video games currently bring in an estimated $30 billion annually.  To put it simply, video games are big business.

Life as a game designer affords one the chance to work on the creative forefront of this exciting, rapidly evolving field.

Video game designers generally work as part of a team in the design and development of video and computer games.  Designing video games is a complex and multi-faceted process.  Game designers are often responsible for important elements such as character design, creating different levels, puzzles, art and animation.

To become a game designer it helps to have an interest in video games.  People who love video games are more likely to design games that other gamers will enjoy.  It’s also necessary to have a good level of programming and other computer skills.

Many people interested in life as a game designer attend a 4-year college and get a degree in game design, computer science or some related field.  However game design is a popular profession.  It attracts many talented, ambitious people.  A degree may not be enough to get your foot in the door.  Many aspiring game designers also find internships of one sort or another.

Mentoring programs are a good way to make oneself more attractive to employers.  In mentoring programs students have the opportunity to learn the game design business while working in a real game design house, with working, professional game designers as their teachers.

Beyond the invaluable hands on experience students get they also have the opportunity to make the contacts and connections that can prove to valuable to establishing a foothold in the video game industry.

Having good ideas is important for anyone who fancies themselves a game designer.  However it takes more than just good ideas to be successful.  Game designers must be ready and willing to play a managerial role in a game project.  Often they are in charge of programmers and other personnel.  It is the game designer’s job to make sure that the project is brought in on time, and on budget.

In the topsy-turvy economy of the early 21^st century the video game industry enjoyed almost unchecked growth.  Job prospects for talented people who want to work in this field would appear to be good.  If life as a game designer is for you, you owe it to yourself to do everything you can to make yourself attractive to employers.

A 4-year degree is a good place to start, however a mentorship program can give you that extra, added edge you may need.

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