Game Design and Game Development
A game is a well-defined, organized form of play, often undertaken for fun or entertainment, and at times used as a teaching tool. Like many forms of art, games are often different from work, which often is performed for monetary recompense, and from literature, which is generally more of an expression of philosophical or aesthetic elements. A game is usually controlled by the players, with the goal being to reach a goal or “win” the game. Games can be active or passive. Active games are usually games that require sprinting and moving around, while passive games are games where one acts as if the goal is unattainable. Most board games fall into the passive category, such as Scrabble, Monopoly, Risk, or Chess.
Gameplay is the interactions between the game’s objects, characters, or other aspects of the environment. These can include a wide range of elements, such as colors, shapes, numbers, and time. However, most gameplay occurs within the game’s objective. This may involve using a weapon or skill against another character, making use of another player’s property, exploring a puzzle, or otherwise engaging in activity that advances the story of the game.
While many people associate game development with the creation of interactive experiences, many game developers are also very creative. In particular, game development artists are tasked with coming up with new ideas for games, incorporating these with existing ideas, as well as implementing these into a new level design. Game developers also need to consider whether their level design matches the theme of the game, as well as whether the level design is balanced with the type of puzzles or activities in the game. Often, a highly talented artist can create a level that completely refutes any potential interpretations of the plot, providing the player with a brand new experience that may not have been possible with traditional gameplay. Other times, the artist may be responsible for developing the puzzles and activities so they fit in with the overall theme of the game.
Another facet of game development is the integration of one another’s concepts. For instance, one developer may be responsible for creating the storyline, while another developer is tasked with creating a functioning game engine that drives the storyline. In many instances, the two developers will collaborate on a single game rather than create two separate projects. Likewise, different members of a team can be assigned various tasks, such as designing environments and creating game Objects. The level designer is responsible for creating the levels of the game, while the programmer or lead designer is responsible for writing the code to allow the game’s code to interact with one another’s level design, for example.
A game developer is often times required to follow a strict schedule, given the constraints of a game design. This schedule often involves establishing the completion date for an object, writing content for specific sections of an object, implementing various game behaviors and features, testing to verify that the game is functioning properly, and finalizing any audio, visual, or Internet-based interactions. Most game developers are self-employed, although some work for large development companies.
Video game development is rapidly expanding. There are new consoles, new technologies and new formats coming out all the time. With new types of media being developed every day, there is always room for an expansion of the industry. Gameplay, interaction and reality are constantly evolving, leading to more possibilities and more ways for game developers to make money. This is only the beginning.