1. Game Art and Design Unit 2 Lesson 1 Skills in the Game Industry
International Technology Education Association

2. Big Idea
Specific skills are necessary in order to obtain and keep a job in the competitive design industry.

3. What Skills are Needed in the Game Industry?
Communication
Creativity
Problem Solving
Teamwork
Gantt Charts
Team roles

4. Game Team Skills Communication skills listening and speaking
Good communication requires effort
Need to clearly communicate ideas and have all members of the team understand

5. Game Team Skills Creativity
Each new game needs to be different and exciting to attract customers
Studies suggest that creativity is innate and cannot be taught - others believe creativity can be nurtured
So how do you know if you are creative?
There are several online tests or evaluations you can take

6. Game Team Skills Problem Solving
A mental process used to find a solution to a complex or simple task
What makes a good problem solver?
There are several online tests or evaluations you can take to find out how you solve problems

7. Game Team Skills Technology competence
Creating games requires technology skills such as 3D modeling, game scripting, applying materials and textures to scenes, and creating documents and spreadsheets
Many game cells have divisions of labor where one might specialize in one or more skills

8. Team roles

9. Team Roles Game teams- called cells
Cells work together is a secure environment for very long hours
During development the idea should be guarded
Each member has specific roles and/or responsibilities

10. Team Roles: Producer Person in charge of the project
He/she manages the development team, schedules, reports, hires and assures quality control
The producer keeps the team on schedule so the game can be completed on time and under budget

11. Team Roles: Programmer
Software engineer concerned with the core mechanics of game play
Programs the game engine, scripting various commands and develops the User Interface (UI)
Writes code for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms that control computer-managed opponents

12. Game Team: Lever Designer
In charge of creating a game level
Makes sure all assets and actions of the level work together as designed

13. Game Team: Writer Responsible for the storyline of the game
Makes sure the dialogue is appropriate for the characters and the scenes are themed to follow the storyline set forth in the storyboard

14. Game Team: Art Designer
Responsible for the visual elements of the game
Keeps track of assets, sprites, models, backgrounds, and polygon count
Ensures the theme carries over into scene layouts and character designs

15. Game Team: Audio
Responsible for all sounds, musical score, background music, ambient sounds and voiceovers
Ensures the sounds match the theme and mood of the game

16. Game Team: Tester
Responsible for testing and analyzing the game for defects, glitches, and bugs
Cheat codes are built into the game to help the testers
Should be a good game player with a working knowledge of the design, game play, and programming of the game
Good entry-level position

17. Team Structure

18. Game Team Skills Teamwork - part of a design team
Successful team = players doing their part in a timely manner
Teamwork requires
Responsibility
Initiative
Dependability
Dress
Respect

19. Game Team Skills
Divisor of Labor - allow members to specialize in certain areas
Roles may be group leaders with several other team members working together
Good communication skills and a strong work ethic are essential

20. Game Team Skills Gantt chart –shows a project schedule including
start and finish dates
who is responsible for what
overall progress
Shows planned and actual completion dates
Can be edited daily

21. Making a Gantt Chart

22. Making A Gantt Chart Order of production (What happens first)
Preproduction
Production
Post production

23. Making A Gantt Chart Order of production (What happens first)
Preproduction: The design phase
assemble team
game idea
brainstorm
sketching

24. Making A Gantt Chart Order of production (What happens first)
Preproduction: assemble team, game idea, brainstorm, sketching
Production: create characters, levels, UI, programming, sounds, and other game components, test and correct, add final touches, ship
Post production: maintenance, marketing, outsourcing

25. Making A Gantt Chart Steps to creating a Gantt chart
Identify the list of required tasks.
Estimate the time requirements (hours) and responsible person for each task.
Determine the order of completion for each task and if there are any dependencies (task one must be completed before task two).

26. Making A Gantt Chart
Steps to creating a Gantt chart 4. Create a rough draft of the chart. 5. Update the chart as needed.

27. Big Idea
Specific skills are necessary in order to obtain and keep a job in the competitive design industry.

28. Game Art and Design Unit 1 Lesson Skills in the Game Industry Images Reproduced with permission Unity. Microsoft clipart. Photo by Phyllis Jones. Student images.
International Technology Education Association