Ultimate Game Design : Building game worlds

Building Game Worlds
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U L T I M A T E G A M E D E S I G N
Larger developers or developers associated with big publishers may have more
spacious physical surroundings. Although, just like large companies in any other
industry, it can get very difficult to make snap decisions in a changing market and react
quickly enough to set a new steering course. Large companies probably insure multiple
lengthy meetings, duplicitous layers of approval, and plenty of machine grinding to
get even the simplest of tasks done. It’s always about the trade-offs, and that’s okay.
Small developers usually offer the benefit of a close-knit, family-like atmosphere.
You will miss this at some point. In many cases, small developers struggle desperately
just to get by. You probably won’t get extended benefits of any kind and your paycheck
might even bounce. You might not even get a paycheck; they might just tell you to
take your computer home and call it square. Most likely, you will have more freedom
and leisure to explore your interests.
Larger companies might offer extensive benefits, and your paycheck will never
bounce, but you will give up some autonomy. Odds are, in larger companies, you will
be asked to make a certain kind of contribution to a project and your application to
other projects will be closely guarded and monitored since project budgets are not
normally shared, although they can be. Whichever team is using you on a project
internally is paying for you out of their own budget. If you work for a smaller developer,
you might work in a couple areas (staging, character rigging), even on a couple of titles
simultaneously.
Your geographic location will influence your salary, just like many other industries.
You may or may not be able to get the kind of cost of living adjustments necessary to
maintain a constant lifestyle level as you wander the globe making games. You may
experience feast followed by famine, or its opposite. You will meet plenty of great
people who passionately share your interests.
Is it worth it? Of course it is. We could be selling insurance. (There’s absolutely
nothing wrong with selling insurance, as long as I don’t have to do it.)
Concentrate on your skills, stay diversified, and stay flexible. If you enjoy character
rigging, become the best darn character rigger in your state, keeping in mind while
you do it that the world is not yet clamoring for character riggers. If you’re a good
programmer, congratulations are in order. You will probably be less familiar with
your state’s unemployment development department than the rest of us. Be persistent,
but not annoying. I know it’s a fine balance, but most things are. In order to support
your game design career, law school at night is not a bad option. Solid cabinetry
experience is not a bad thing either, nor is having a significant other a heartbeat away
from finishing their medical degree.
If you’re in seventh grade, love games, and are dealing with “being in seventh
grade,” hang in there. Stay focused on turning your interests and passions into skills
to support your gaming ambitions. I was busy with games in seventh grade, and I
still am. You will be able to make games for consoles and devices that baffle my comprehension.
They will probably start your car and warm your coffee in between