How to Become a Game Creator: Job Descriptions and Necessary Skills

You are wondering: “I’m interested in working as a game developer, but how do I become one?”

 Even if you say that you are a game creator, it is still unclear what exactly this job entails, what is the indie game developer salary, for example, isn’t it?

 So in this article, Alcor will explain how to become a game developer, what a game developer’s salary is, what career path and qualifications are required, the job description, and the abilities you need for it!

 If you are thinking about becoming a game developer, please read the article to the end.

7 Job Descriptions of Game Creators

The term “game creator” refers to “a generic term for work related to game production. Therefore, if you want to become a game creator in earnest, you should know the job descriptions.

 Here, we will explain the job descriptions of seven types of game creators.

1. Producer
2. Director
3. Planner
4. Scenario writer
5. Graphic designer
6. Programmer
7. Sound creator

Producer

Producers are responsible for overseeing the overall game production.

 They are mainly responsible for managing the budget, organizing team members, and scheduling.

This is the most important position, as it determines not only the production of the game but also the timing of sales and publicity. 2.

Director

The director is the on-site supervisor of game production.

 The director directs the production while giving instructions to the staff and managing the progress of the project.

This job requires not only expertise in game production but also a broad perspective of the entire production site and the ability to manage staff.

Planner

Planners are responsible for planning new games.

They analyze the market and user demand and determine concepts for creating games that attract user interest.

 They must listen to many people in order to incorporate the requests of sponsors as well as those involved in production.

This is a very indispensable job because if the project falls through, the sales of the game itself may suffer.

Scenario writer

A scenario writer is responsible for the overall storyline and characters of a game.

They create the game’s worldview, including the storyline and dialogue.

This is a challenging job, especially in genres where the story is important, such as RPGs and simulations, as it dramatically influences the reputation of the game among users.

Graphic designer

Graphic designers design characters and backgrounds.

Since 3DCG software is the most common method of creation, skill in handling the software is necessary.

Since attractive character designs affect the sales of games and goods, people who can express themselves in an appealing manner are in demand.

Programmer

Programmers are responsible for the actual development of games.

 They program the game to run according to specifications, such as background movement and the appropriate timing of BGM.

 A single game is created by multiple programmers and is characterized by the division of labor.

 Large-scale games require hundreds of programmers and other manpower.

Sound creator

Sound creators create sound effects and background music for use in games.

 It is essential for the music to fit the story and scenes to make the game attractive. Game music is a popular genre among fans and has attracted so much attention that concerts and events are being held.

 The job requires musical skills but is very rewarding.

 There are two paths to becoming a game creator 

• graduate from school and get a job
• study on your own and get a job

Let’s take a look at each of these paths in detail.

Graduate from school and get a job

This is a way to become a game creator after graduating from school.

 At universities and vocational schools, you can acquire basic knowledge of game creation, attend practical and highly specialized lectures, and acquire skills that you can use for a long time.

 Another advantage is that many schools have connections with companies, so there is a well-developed path from learning to employment.

 In fact, at Tokyo College of Anime, Voice Acting & e-Sports, which specializes in animation and games, many cooperating companies provide job placement support.

 In many cases, especially at major game manufacturers, a “technical college graduate” or higher is a prerequisite for taking employment examinations, and it is common for students to become game creators after graduating from school. 2.

Self-study and then get a job

Game creation is a profession that places importance on ability and sense, so it is possible to become a game creator through self-study.

If you have the ability to create attractive games, it is quite possible that your educational background is not required.

 However, whatever the position, advanced and specialized skills are required, and you will often be asked to submit a portfolio of your work as proof of your achievements.

 It is not impossible to get a job by self-study, but if you want to get a job efficiently, you should utilize a school.

 For those interested in the game/application industry

How Game Creators Work

There are three ways to work as a game creator.

• game makers
• game development companies
• freelance

Let’s check each of them.

Game makers

Game makers are companies that plan, develop, and sell games.

 A characteristic of game makers is that many jobs are divided into small sections.

Basically, you only do work other than what you are in charge of.

 A game maker is a company that handles all aspects of game production.

Game development company

A game development company is a company that only develops games planned by a manufacturer.

The roles of the game development company are divided between the manufacturer, who plans and produces the game, and the development company, who adds movement to the characters and does the programming.

 Development companies are often responsible for developing a wide range of different games requested by manufacturers.

 Since each manufacturer has its own rules and regulations, it is easy for a company to learn how to respond to these rules and regulations.

Freelance

An increasing number of people are becoming freelance game creators who are not affiliated with a company.

 Freelance work allows them to work on a variety of titles beyond the boundaries of the company.

 However, it requires different skills from game development, such as sales and tax returns, and the income may be unstable.

 This is the perfect work style for those who have the skills but also want to “realize a free work style.