Up and Coming

Question

I am an aspiring Game Designer :)

47 replies
9626 views

Hey Forum,

A bit of soul searching.....

Personally I consider myself to be a very creative mofo :) I am an idea guy and right now (for the time being) that is all I am really good at. Sure ideas may be cheap... I get that. This is the whole reason I am soul searching in the first place. In the past I have been written off as a troll from many forums, because my pure creative enthusiasm completely lacked the insight and wisdom that I have now.

just google search for "cubytes" you will see what I am talking about. But know that some of my past idea posts are a bit far fetched and completely lack insight and consideration; which is kind of embarrassing....

As an idea guy I don't just conceptualize obvious ideas/features anymore like I used too. I conceptualize experiments with a keen eye on the big picture. I back up my ideas with lots and lots of consideration and thought processing before I even share them with you (which is what I failed to do in the past).

Honestly the whole reason why I love being a part of this forum is that for the most part you guys have embraced my creativity and haven't completely chased me off. And I greatly appreciate that. For the time being I will continue to check this forum regularly. I am always on the look-out for new insights and ideas to add to my repertoire.

I am certainty capable of conceptualizing my own ideas from scratch, but my expertise is that of organizing ideas into something amazing. I am also skilled at taking someone else's idea and running with it as far as I possibly can. Then just work my way back to the present keeping only the key insights and use that to base my ideas on.

As of right now I am probably not cut out to be a game developer/designer/creative director. At least not in the short term that is and most certainly not on my own. I would need a mentor.

I had thought If I could just get my foot in the door on some ambitious VR project, my work ethic, positive attitude, and pure creative enthusiasm would take care of the rest. But who would hire me considering I lack the skills?

On the flip side, I'd had hoped I could get started on something, and inspire a team to help me build it so I could just learn as I go. But I realize that is nothing but a pipe-dream now. For how am I to convince someone (or recruit a team) to work on something with me... when I myself don't have the expertise, necessary tools nor the funds required to afford such an endeavor?

T

Twitchmonkey

Up and Coming

Kind of in the same boat myself. I'm an artist, I'm not making a regular paycheck from my art right now, but that is what I have devoted my life to. i have lots of experience in ZBrush, Photoshop, various other programs, and well as traditional 2D and 3D media, but I'm still struggling to figure out how to turn my skills into something that is practical for developing VR experiences. One thing I do have however is a clear path to get where I want to be. I'm an artist, I have a lot of ideas for VR experiences and I would like to some day be able to pursue them, but more likely in the short-term I seek to collaborate with others that have complementary skills to help bring a project to fruition through developing the visuals. There are a lot of ways to be part of a development project, do you want to do visuals, code, audio, or do you just want to be a general designer of experiences?

I think this is probably the most complicated path to go down. Everyone has ideas and they tend to have a bias towards following those ideas that that themselves have envisioned. You can always do as you have been and throw concepts out there and hope that you spark the imagination of someone that can help make that a reality, and I think this is a great forum to do just that. If you want to actively work with a group on a project however, I think you need to have a really solid plan. You can't just have a good idea, you need to have a structure and well-formed ideas as to just how your ideas need to be implemented to be as effective as possible to get people to want to follow you and feel like you provide a necessary piece of the development process. There are a lot of people out there with ideas, but far fewer that can compel people to work with them based on the strength of their design. You think we need an exoskeleton suit to be able to provide sensory immersion in a VR environment? Interesting idea. You have a list of materials and schematics required to make such a suit? You might just get someone compelled to make it for you.

Just my two cents, but so long as you want to keep raising interesting points of discussion as to what sort of interesting things can be done with VR, I don't see anyone trying to kick you out.

C

cubytesAuthor

Up and Coming

"Twitchmonkey" wrote:
I think this is probably the most complicated path to go down. Everyone has ideas and they tend to have a bias towards following those ideas that that themselves have envisioned. You can always do as you have been and throw concepts out there and hope that you spark the imagination of someone that can help make that a reality, and I think this is a great forum to do just that. If you want to actively work with a group on a project however, I think you need to have a really solid plan. You can't just have a good idea, you need to have a structure and well-formed ideas as to just how your ideas need to be implemented to be as effective as possible to get people to want to follow you and feel like you provide a necessary piece of the development process. There are a lot of people out there with ideas, but far fewer that can compel people to work with them based on the strength of their design.

thanks for the response TM :)

C

cubytesAuthor

Up and Coming

i really don't know where i would fit in best. but i would love to have the opportunity to find out. i mean i do tend to focus in on conceptualizing ideas for gameplay experiences but in order to do that adequately i have to take so much into consideration.

personally i always thought of myself as a wannabe visionary though. which is why i tend to focus more on the big picture and how all the pieces would fit together more so then the small details.

not that i dont value the small details. on the contrary i realize even the smallest of details can have a huge impact on the experience. as a wannabe visionary i would rely heavily on you guys to fill in the finer details of my vision with your own creative expression.

and i dont mean that in a "make my game for me" kind of way because im too lazy to put in my own time/effort. trust me if i had the opportunity i would put in work i would put in just as much if not more time/effort then the rest of my team. hell id be the guy nagging you with questions all the time. hey what you working on today? how can i help? ect ect...

its just that my main area of interest is the overall product. the overall experience; how the gameplay the setting the sound and the story combine.

im more interested in how all the pieces fit together and compliment one another, rather then the individual pieces themselves.

if that makes any sense....

B

BaseDeltaZero

Up and Coming

"cubytes" wrote:

I am certainty capable of conceptualizing my own ideas from scratch, but my expertise is that of organizing ideas into something amazing. I am also skilled at taking someone else's idea and running with it as far as I possibly can. Then just work my way back to the present keeping only the key insights and use that to base my ideas on.

Thought of you when i saw this, might be a good way to get started without too much experience.

We are looking to hire a new Game Designer specialized in Free-to-Play games for our indie action video game called Stone Rage. Here is some information about the game and the position:

Stone Rage is an online multiplayer action game set within the Pleistocene and Eocene eras, featuring prehistoric tribalism, prehistoric landscapes and prehistoric animals. Players will take control of a single character of either a human class, neanderthal tribe or animal genus and wreak havoc in either survival, team objective or deathmatch game types.

What we offer:
• Royalties (% from future revenues)
• Milestone-payment (future kickstarter)
• Work from home!
• You get to decide when to work/not work
• You'll be an integral part of a small, talented, organized team of 20 developers
• You'll have intrinsic design input, and creative say in the development of the game.

Job Requirements:
• 1x Game Designer
--Very good english writing skills
--Preferred: one release game in resume
--Optionally: scripting languages or other skills
--Optionally: Confluence/Jira experience
--High-interest in video games (precisely F2P)
--Able to stay in contact (mainly skype, email)
--Willing to commit time (10-20hours per week)
--Long-term interest (+6 months)

contact email: marco@mountainwheelgames.com
indiedb: http://www.indiedb.com/games/stone-rage
fb: http://www.facebook.com/StoneRage
yt: http://www.youtube.com/user/mountainwheelgames
website: http://www.mountainwheelgames.com

Ambient Flight Eagle Flight Experience Dinosaur Voyage Running from Dinosaurs

C

cubytesAuthor

Up and Coming

"basedeltazero" wrote:
We are looking to hire a new Game Designer specialized in Free-to-Play games for our indie action video game called Stone Rage

Thanks man I will get in touch with them and see what happens :)

S

saviornt

Up and Coming

"Twitchmonkey" wrote:
Kind of in the same boat myself. I'm an artist, I'm not making a regular paycheck from my art right now, but that is what I have devoted my life to. i have lots of experience in ZBrush, Photoshop, various other programs, and well as traditional 2D and 3D media, but I'm still struggling to figure out how to turn my skills into something that is practical for developing VR experiences. One thing I do have however is a clear path to get where I want to be. I'm an artist, I have a lot of ideas for VR experiences and I would like to some day be able to pursue them, but more likely in the short-term I seek to collaborate with others that have complementary skills to help bring a project to fruition through developing the visuals. There are a lot of ways to be part of a development project, do you want to do visuals, code, audio, or do you just want to be a general designer of experiences?

So in a nutshell, you have the experience to start on the path to being a texture artist. The OP sounds more like a "game director" sort.

Current WIPs using Unreal Engine 4: Agrona - Tales of an Era : Medieval Fantasy MORPG

N

NYinCA

New Participant

Hi,
We are looking for a game designer on the VR platform for a prototype. Can you develop on Oculus? Where are you located? Our team is located between LA, NYC and AZ.
Thanks!

C

cubytesAuthor

Up and Coming

"NYinCA" wrote:
Hi,
We are looking for a game designer on the VR platform for a prototype. Can you develop on Oculus? Where are you located? Our team is located between LA, NYC and AZ.
Thanks!

Hi there! Actually I am more of an aspiring game designer, entrepreneur, visionary and/or product manager type guy. But honestly right now I am just an idea guy. Sure I consider myself a UX focused high-concept creative mofo but I am just an idea guy nonetheless. And to top it off I honestly haven't even experienced VR yet.

However If you are really serious about getting involved in VR congrats you're in the right place. I would suggest you pitch your project on the Community Support thread and also on the Collaboration thread.

Currently I live in Central Florida

Out of curiosity what is the nature of your VR project? What kind of media or experience do you have in mind? I have gained a lot of insight here lately and I have a good idea where VR is heading. I will gladly share my thoughts and try my best to point you in the right direction.

J

Jossos

Up and Coming

Hey cubytes! I think it's amazing that you are an idea's guy, possibly the worst thing to be in game development. The problem is every mofo who plays games has ideas, so yes, you're right they are cheap.

In fact, I would say that what you offer is completely worthless. Your intention is to sit on a golden throne and have all of the people who put the effort in learning their particular skill set make your dreams come true.

Well good news, this is never going to happen. You think you have matured from your "old self", let me suggest that you have not. I'm not sure if you have attempted to learn something, but at the moment you have no useful skills that anyone can use ever, and therefore aren't even worthy of the title "game designer".

My suggestion is to leave and learn something useful. plug in the hours. The fact that you just want to be an idea's guy shows a lazy attitude, and I for one vow to never work with you, or the likes of you.

C

cubytesAuthor

Up and Coming

"Jossos" wrote:
Hey cubytes! I think it's amazing that you are an idea's guy, possibly the worst thing to be in game development. The problem is every mofo who plays games has ideas, so yes, you're right they are cheap.

In fact, I would say that what you offer is completely worthless. Your intention is to sit on a golden throne and have all of the people who put the effort in learning their particular skill set make your dreams come true.

Well good news, this is never going to happen. You think you have matured from your "old self", let me suggest that you have not. I'm not sure if you have attempted to learn something, but at the moment you have no useful skills that anyone can use ever, and therefore aren't even worthy of the title "game designer".

My suggestion is to leave and learn something useful. plug in the hours. The fact that you just want to be an idea's guy shows a lazy attitude, and I for one vow to never work with you, or the likes of you.

been one of those days huh? same here... been a pretty shitty day actually.

as to your point.

yea man i hear ya. you didn't sugar coat it either.

on one hand i prefer to maintain a positive demeanor. i try to be kind and respectful to others and help out as much as i can. you know as the saying goes...my glass is always half full! but sometimes i get close (very close) to second guessing myself. what if im just delusional? and my glass has not only been empty this whole time... in fact someone actually stole it not to long ago.

but i usually don't show that part of myself to the world. instead i tend to be the guy that's all like "who cares if its impossible lets DO this" as i go running towards a wall convinced that i will in fact run right through it this time!

but on the other hand WTF Jossos? you don't even know me. how about you worry about yourself before you worry about me? why so hostile anyways? life's a bitch already. no reason to hate or lash out at one another. we should be encouraging uplifting and helping each other out.... like civilized human beings.

but if it has been one of those days then i completely understand.

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