Rol del Game Designer

What is game design and why is it comparable to building a castle?

Imagine you are on the beach building a sand castle. In a short time, you can have a basic structure ready. Now, if you take that inspiration further and decide to build a real castle, the process becomes exponentially more complex. You will need different profiles and skills, from designers to engineers. This analogy perfectly illustrates video game development. Creating a video game is not simply a programming activity; it requires the collaboration of multiple experts with diverse skills to create captivating experiences.

Who is a game designer and what role does he/she play?

The game designer acts as the architect of the video game. They are in charge of designing the game experiences, determining its rules, objectives and mechanics. But what specific tasks does a game designer perform?

• Defining the rules and objectives of the game.
• Creation of levels and combat systems.
• Development of the narrative and monetization models.
• Close collaboration with other professionals such as programmers, artists and musicians.

How does a game designer work with other profiles?

Collaboration is crucial in game development. A game designer works hand in hand with:

• Programmers, to implement specific features of the game.
• Artists, to define visual styles of characters and animations.
• Musicians, not only for background music, but also for game sounds.
• Testers, who help identify and fix bugs.

What other profiles exist in game design?

Depending on the complexity of the project, different specialized profiles may be required. Some of them are:

What does a level designer do?

A level designer designs the game levels, both in 2D and 3D. He uses principles of architecture and psychology to guide the player smoothly and harmoniously through the game.

What is the role of a game economy designer?

This specialist defines the costs within the game and generates strategies to maintain the player's interest over time, dosing the content according to the progress of the game.

What does a narrative designer contribute?

They focus on creating the game script, designing dialogues and narrative rhythms. They also define characteristics of the characters, such as their likes and dislikes, to enrich the story.

What is the role of a technical game designer?

They create tools that facilitate the work of other designers, speeding up prototyping and helping in the balancing of the game. This is crucial to maintain quality and consistency throughout development.

How does the nature of the project affect the choice of profiles?

The nature of the game determines which profiles are most essential. For example, in a console game without microtransactions, a game economy designer may not be indispensable. On the other hand, in a multiplayer title, a narrative designer might not be so crucial. Careful evaluation of the type of game informs decisions about which specialists to integrate into the team.

By exploring these roles and their importance, it becomes clear that game design is a collaborative and multidisciplinary effort. Each profile brings its own perspective and skills, contributing to the success of the project. If you are passionate about the world of video games, what kind of designer would you like to be?